Page 123 - Stories from our Grandparents

I During the times rice was available, we needed to queue for it.
was born in Singapore in 1936. I was only six years old when World
War II started. I can vividly remember the life that I had during the
I usually followed my mother to queue for rice. Even after queuing for
World War II. I had a tough life during my childhood because of the
a long time, we usually only received 3 kati of rice.
war. The Japanese made life difficult for everyone in Singapore. They
tortured the people without reason and had no mercy for them. “Eventually, the Japanese finally left Singapore.
I remember that I heard people shouting for joy after
I lived in a place which is known as Kembangan today. I remember
seeing Japanese men entering houses and taking away young they heard the news. There was a radio broadcast
ladies from their families. Even though I was only six years old, announcing that the Japanese had finally left
I was aware that these Japanese were cruel. They would stab the Singapore. A lot of people including myself, felt
family members who refused to give the young ladies to them. very relieved when we heard about the news.”
The Japanese also tortured the Caucasians by making them walk
barefooted for a long distance in a single file at ‘Wayang Satu’, I then moved to a kampong and its name was Lorong
which is now known as Bukit Timah. Stangee. I remember some of the childhood games that

One day, my grandmother came home late. When we asked her why, she I played there. My friends and I would pick up cigarette
told us that she was knocked on the head by the Japanese just because she butts on the ground and peel the paper. We would crush
walked in front of them. Her head was bleeding. It was a scene that I could the paper and use it to shoot at each other. We played
never forget. Despite hating them, I worked for the Japanese. I was only nine with rubber bands and balls too.
years old. My job was to dip a long metal rod in a solution. I did not actually A few years later, Singapore merged with Malaysia. My family was not
know what it was for but I believe it was to make bombs or weapons. affected in any way. The merger caused racial riots. Although I was not a
I remembered that we always had to walk with our hands on our heads part of any of them but I remember seeing the start of one. I was married
or we would get beaten up by the Japanese soldiers. with 2 children then. I was very scared and worried for the safety of my

My family was deeply affected by the Japanese Occupation. family. I was living at Lorong 9 in Geylang and the riot was at Lorong 12.
My dad sold opium to feed our family. To help my family with our When the riot started, I grabbed my son and ran for our lives. “Kain ketat all
financial problems, my mom also worked as a senior clerk in an koyak” (means tight dress all torn). Even though my dress was torn, I did not
opium company. It was very difficult to get food. My family and care because all I remember was that I had to run as fast as I could.
I ate only tapioca most of the time. We made bee hoon by cutting Then came 9th August 1965. “Merdeka!” That was all I heard that
tapioca skin into thin pieces and frying it. There was rice but only was being shouted by everyone. I did not join in the rally but the
on rare occasions. happy atmosphere could be felt everywhere. Singapore was finally
separated from Malaysia and became an independent country since.
For the next few years, I noticed fresh developments and new flats
were built to replace the kampong houses.

My name is Latiffah Bte Abdullah and this is my story. As much as I am
grateful for my life, I hope that none of my family members and future
Singapore generation will ever have to go through the hardship that I faced
Mdm Latiffah Bte Abdullah during the World War II. May Singapore stay peaceful and prosperous for
Born 1936

By Nuruddini Hidni Bte Khalid generations to come.
64
Grandma Stories
Pasir Ris Secondary School Grandma Stories 65