Page 25 - Stories from our Grandparents

hen talking about war in Singapore, the common topic of his is an account from my grandfather,
discussion among many would certainly be World War II Abdul Majeed Syed Ismail, during the
and the Japanese Occupation of Singapore. Fortunately, Japanese Occupation. Mr Abdul was
WI was given the opportunity to interview my neighbour, Taround 12 years old when Singapore fell
Mr Tan, who has a lot of stories to share based on his memory of the war, into the hands of the Japanese. My grandfather
which gave me a better insight and understanding as to what people at described how his family constantly
that time have gone through and how they felt experiencing it themselves. lived in turmoil, fearing that their children,
relatives, and friends would be caught Mr Abdul Majeed Syed
When asked about his personal experience of war, Mr Tan by the Japanese. The Japanese frequently Ismail BORN 1931
immediately recollected the wartime memories he had and investigated any supporters of Great
mentioned how it was an unforgettable experience for him and his Britain, any groups formed to overthrow By Roschendhini d/o Seleyan
family at that time. Life during the occupation was described by him the Japanese as well as any western Millennia Institute
to be atrocious and filled with terror as there were numerous killings ‘influence’ or ‘propaganda’. An example
and many were tortured under the hands of the Japanese. of this would be newspapers or radios that shared news that

A handful of Japanese soldiers patrolled the streets diligently and people contradicted the Japanese propaganda in Singapore and Malaya.
were expected to bow as a form of acknowledgement each time they
passed by. Those who refused to do as instructed or what was required of Life went on under the Japanese rule. Mr Abdul remembered
them would be given severe punishments by the vicious Japanese and the whenever he was to leave the house, he would need to have a
same happened to those who were deemed to be anti-Japanese. purple ink chop on his hand to move about in public.

It is undeniable that the war involved awful suffering and violence, And how if he were to encounter a Japanese soldier or official, he
as well as ill-treatment by the Japanese, as evident when thousands had to bow as a show of respect. If he had not, it would be seen as
of Chinese people were taken away to be massacred. an act of defiance against the Japanese and he would be punished.

Mr Abdul then went on to state his experiences surviving with limited food.
Mr Tan ended off his sharing by giving his During the Japanese Occupation, it was a common sight to see many living
personal thoughts and views, stating that the in poverty and suffering from malnutrition and diseases. It did not help that
wartime suffering had brought about many essentials such as rice, salt and sugar were sold at
lessons, one which can be used to make a high prices in the “black market”. Banana notes were
useless as whenever the Japanese needed more
comparison between the past and the present, money, they simply printed more notes. Mr Abdul
serving as a reminder to the young to appreciate then said how his father and the males in the family
the life that they are currently enjoying. had to do back-breaking work to make ends meet.
Singapore’s fall to the Japanese was monumental in
letting us know that we will never place the security of our nation and
Mr Tan Chee Keong BORN 1933 citizens in the hands of another.

By Dian Qurratu’aini Bte A R
Millennia Institute Grandpa Stories 25