Introduction
World War 2 began when Nazi Germany invaded Poland in 1939. While Germany was invading Europe, Japan was also busy expanding territory in Asia, particularly South East Asia. Japan decided to launch surprise attacks on the same day at Pearl Harbor, The Philippines and where we are from, Malaysia (at the time Malaya), due to the resources available in these places and to buy them time before the Americans joined the war. In this post, we will talking about the experiences of our great grandparents during WW2 in Malaysia. We interviewed our parents and grandparents about the experiences that their parents and grandparents had in the war.
World War 2 began when Nazi Germany invaded Poland in 1939. While Germany was invading Europe, Japan was also busy expanding territory in Asia, particularly South East Asia. Japan decided to launch surprise attacks on the same day at Pearl Harbor, The Philippines and where we are from, Malaysia (at the time Malaya), due to the resources available in these places and to buy them time before the Americans joined the war. In this post, we will talking about the experiences of our great grandparents during WW2 in Malaysia. We interviewed our parents and grandparents about the experiences that their parents and grandparents had in the war.
https://www.cuti.my/v1/Sub/Kl/guide_kuala_lumpur_national_monument.htm
This monument in Malaysia known as National Monument (Tugu Negara), was built during 1966 to commemorate all the brave soldiers that fought for Malaysia's freedom during WW2.
What did your relatives do in War? What were their experiences?
The Japanese would often force locals into hard labour " My mum told me that my grandpa had been caught by Japanese soldiers to do labour works" (Cheng Yet's mom)
" That time a lot of youngsters got kidnapped to build the railway near Thailand and a lot of people never came back. These are the stories ah mah (granny) told me when I was young.” (Sonia's Grandpa)
Many had to flee their homes into the jungle to hide from the Japanese.
"Your Great Grandma was forced to bring the whole family and run all the way to the jungle or orchards to hide and protect themselves from Japanese attacks. Their living conditions in the jungle was very tough. Great grandma had to do everything by herself for example, taking care of her children, searching for food and escaping enemies by finding a safe place" (Cheng Yet's mom)
"I heard from ah mah (my mom) that she used to stay in Teluk Intan. When the Japanese came they moved to Gopeng and stayed there, when there was an air raid they had to hide in the nearby jungle" (Sonia's Grandpa)
Much of the crops grown by locals had to be given to the Japanese.
"Food conditions were really harsh and limited at that time.There were almost not enough food for the people. So, most of the time they were staying in a cave and ate sweet potatoes to survive." (Cheng Yet's mom)
"Even though food was provided, it was very scarce. He said that they ate only rice and sweet potato, everyone was malnourished." (Sonia's dad)
"They had no food and most of the time they ate tapioca mixed with some rice to make porridge." (Sonia's Grandpa)
Many people died during the Japanese occupation
"Many people died due to starvation and the Japanese’s infamous public executions. He also said that many babies and young children were killed because while the locals were escaping the children would cry and expose them." (Sonia's dad)
How did the Japanese treat locals?
The Japanese often treated locals, especially the Chinese very harshly due to many sending help back to China during the Japanese invasions of China during the 1930s. However those with key skills to help the Japanese in the occupation, such as drivers, clerks and mechanics were often fared better than the majority of the local population.
"Japanese soldiers treated Malaysians very cruelly in WW2 by just shooting and burning their bodies when they tried to escape or disobeyed the military laws.” (Cheng Yet's mom )
"He told me that he was captured by the Japanese and since he was a bus driver, they made him their driver. He was lucky as the Japanese also gave him food and let him live. He also said that the Japanese particularly hated the Chinese and would treat them harshly.” (Sonia's dad)
“My mom told me that they caught a lot of men and kill them together then threw them all in a big hole.” (Sonia's Grandma)
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This is a Japanese propaganda mural in Jawi script from a building in the town of Kuching. The text, is written in Arabic and translates to "Ya Allah, terpeliharalah kami oleh tentera Jepun daripada aniayai" in Malay (O Allah, save us from the persecution by the Japanese troops).
All the locals life had changed to become extremely harsh
“Your great grandma’s life became a nightmare and it was a horrible journey for her after losing dependence from her husband.” (Cheng Yet's mom)
“Grandpa said that life changed from comfortable to living in constant fear. A fear of the Japanese.” (Sonia's dad)
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/384705993150975880/
This propaganda poster shows that a Malay boy (wearing sarung and baju kurung) is holding a Japanese book. It seems that he is a student studying Japanese courses."Belajarlah! Pakailah! Sikbo! Isternal karo! Bahasa Nippon! Nippon-Gozaban!" says that "Use and study Nippon language for Japan!"
What was the education system like?
Locals were forced to learn Japanese and Japanese culture. Local education systems were also widely banned.
“Your grandma said that majority of the schools were closed when Japan started to invade. She was 12 or 13 years old at that time and she was not allowed to go to school. After some time, the school was reopened again by using propaganda to respect and be loyal to the Japanese emperor. At the same time, the English and Mandarin languages were banned in the school, alternatively the students were taught the Japanese language and courses were changed to Japanese. It was also compulsory for them to sing the Japanese national song each morning before classes began to demonstrate their love for the Japanese emperor.” (Cheng Yet's mom)
Locals had to sing nationalist Japanese songs.
"My grandpa told be that they had to sing Japanese nationalist songs everyday and honor and respect the Japanese" (Sonia's dad)
What had to be done to protect themselves?
Many women disguised themselves as men as there were cases of Japanese soldiers raping women that they encountered.
“ My grandma told me that women had to dress up as men when they had to leave the house. She told me that if they were discovered as woman, the Japanese would rape then kill them." (Sonia's mom)
http://www.malaysiadesignarchive.org/10-dollars-banana-money/
How was the country impacted socially and economically?
The Japanese invasion resulted in many going into debt as they stopped many economic activities such as trading with other countries. The Japanese also often raided the locals.
“Mum said that the economy during WW2 were controlled by Japan. During the Japanese occupation years in Malaysia, the export of primary products was limited to the relatively small amounts required for the Japanese economy. This led to the abandonment of large areas of rubber plantations and the closure of many mines, the later progressively was affected by a shortage of spare parts for machinery. Businesses, especially those owned by Chinese people, were taken over and reassigned to Japanese interests. Rice imports fell heavily and thus the population contributed a large part of their efforts to producing enough food to stay alive." (Cheng Yet's mom)
"She said that everything had to either be pawned or hidden. They pawned belongings as they did not have enough food and hid belongings as the Japanese often raided homes.” (Sonia's mom)
The Japanese also introduced a new currency resulting in many economic problems for locals.
“ The currency was changed to ‘Banana Money’, this was issued by the Japanese." (Sonia's mom)
Due to the fear of the Japanese, many avoided leaving their homes.
Many women disguised themselves as men as there were cases of Japanese soldiers raping women that they encountered.
“ My grandma told me that women had to dress up as men when they had to leave the house. She told me that if they were discovered as woman, the Japanese would rape then kill them." (Sonia's mom)
How was the country impacted socially and economically?
The Japanese invasion resulted in many going into debt as they stopped many economic activities such as trading with other countries. The Japanese also often raided the locals.
“Mum said that the economy during WW2 were controlled by Japan. During the Japanese occupation years in Malaysia, the export of primary products was limited to the relatively small amounts required for the Japanese economy. This led to the abandonment of large areas of rubber plantations and the closure of many mines, the later progressively was affected by a shortage of spare parts for machinery. Businesses, especially those owned by Chinese people, were taken over and reassigned to Japanese interests. Rice imports fell heavily and thus the population contributed a large part of their efforts to producing enough food to stay alive." (Cheng Yet's mom)
"She said that everything had to either be pawned or hidden. They pawned belongings as they did not have enough food and hid belongings as the Japanese often raided homes.” (Sonia's mom)
The Japanese also introduced a new currency resulting in many economic problems for locals.
“ The currency was changed to ‘Banana Money’, this was issued by the Japanese." (Sonia's mom)
Due to the fear of the Japanese, many avoided leaving their homes.
"The streets would be very quiet as many would stay in their homes.”
(Sonia's mom)
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