100 doller bill shows Laborers at a rubber plantation
Reverse : Stilted attap Malay houses by a seashore
My grandfather Tiong Kung Ping had to give up 2 of his motor launches for a mere 300 Japanese dollars. Just three pieces of the notes showing laborers at a rubber plantation.
It was a forced Japanese requisition and my grandfather was terribly upset. He comforted himself and his family by saying that during a war he could not do much business and definitely no one would require his motor launches to bring rubber sheets to Sibu for sale. He kept one motor launch so that he could ferry his goods to and fro Sibu and Binatang.
Although the Japanese really gave him too little for the two motor launches he decided to acquire some rubber land if possible.
It was as if God was with him because not many days later, a man came running to him asking him to buy his rubber garden in Lanang Road, which in those days were considered very remote.
With clarity of mind, he was glad that this opportunity came and the man wanted to sell his entire rubber garden for 300 Japanese dollars! What a coincidence.
My grandfather, according to an aunt was not one who would part very quickly with his cash. The man was in a hurry to sell the land because he want wanted to move away from Sibu, perhaps upriver to Song or Kanowit. The transaction was quickly done and papers were signed and witnessed.
However my grandfather lost touch with the man in the later years.
It was as if God was with him because not many days later, a man came running to him asking him to buy his rubber garden in Lanang Road, which in those days were considered very remote.
With clarity of mind, he was glad that this opportunity came and the man wanted to sell his entire rubber garden for 300 Japanese dollars! What a coincidence.
My grandfather, according to an aunt was not one who would part very quickly with his cash. The man was in a hurry to sell the land because he want wanted to move away from Sibu, perhaps upriver to Song or Kanowit. The transaction was quickly done and papers were signed and witnessed.
However my grandfather lost touch with the man in the later years.
The Japanese Commandant was happy to acquaire my grandfather's motor launches for transport of food supplies and soldiers up and down the Rajang. My grandfather then moved the family to Binatang/Bintangor to shelter themselves from the Japanese Army, Bintangor being three or four hours away from Sibu by small launch.
The Mee Ang Rice Mill where my grandfather was able to shelter the family was also next to the small Binatang river.
All in all, there were 8 children he had to look after and an old mother. My second and third uncle were already having their own families. They too lived at the Rice Mill.
At least my grandfather was paid 300 Japanese dollars for his motor launches and it was not a forced requisition. Some people were actually beaten badly if they refused to give up their possessions.
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