Page 98 - Stories from our Grandparents

Mdm Siti Zumara Born 1938
Binte Suhaimi
By Muhammad Ammeer Farhan,
Millennia Institute

I “During the period when Sook Ching was carried out
was only 4 years old back when the Japanese took “Fortress” Singapore
from the British. I was still young; I didn’t think much about the drastic
I saw many familiar faces especially men who were
change in our lifestyle during the occupation. Life was hard as many
rounded up and taken away in trucks that never came
aspects of our lives such as work, education and even day-to-day
interaction with our neighbours changed due to the war. Back in school we back. Most of them were now known to be executed at
were taught the Japanese language as we were seen as colonies of Japan beaches around Singapore.”
despite them “liberating” us from the British, our former colonial master.
The communities, despite their many differences,
Our daily meals consisted of tapioca with rice on the menu every often took care of each other like a “Kampong”
once in a blue moon due to shortages despite rationing by the or village in Malay. Neighbours would often share
Japanese. I used to tag along with my father when he went to anything ranging from food and other necessities to
the ration store. People picking up rice grains from the dirt was even hiding spaces or a safe place to stay.
a common sight. Almost everyone consumed tapioca during the
duration of the occupation as it was the easiest to grow. Many people I still remembered how we used to
resorted to growing their own food as the currency used during the try and escape reality by playing
Japanese Occupation, the Japanese dollar also better known as traditional games and almost forgot
banana money, was at worth close to nothing. about the war till we saw Japanese
soldiers on patrol to whom we
It was harder for the Chinese back then as China was had to bow if we wanted to avoid
still at war with Japan leading them to be discriminated unnecessary complications.
in Singapore by the occupation forces. The Kempeitai
was widely feared by all as they are able to detain
anyone without reason.

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