During the Japanese Occupation my father, under the "order" of my grandfather became the manager of the Hua Hong Ice Factory. My father was neither an engineer nor a business graduate. He majored in Ecoomics and Journalism at the Yenching University of Beijing and graduated in 1937.
We were often amazed by the fact that every one considered my father a very obedient son. He did what grandfather told him to do, without any question. And he was well known for never answering my grandfather or any grand uncle even if he disagreed. It was like his own opinion did not matter.
He was betrayed by the Guard who whispered to the Japanese that my father listened to foreign radio stations and German and English classical music in the Ice Factory. So he became a suspect for spying. the Japanese soldiers came in two boats and my father was arrested and was in remand for 10 days. My grandfather who was then living in Binatang where he was operating a rice and saw mill, came to Sibu by his own boat and together with some helpful community leaders helped to get my father's release.
Later it was reported that the Guard and his family escaped to Kanowit and were beheaded by some Ibans. It was a good thing the Japanese did not burn the ice factory. Probably the Japanese needed the ice for their fresh fish and drinking.
An old uncle said that Japanese soldiers came to the factory to collect ice every few days.
The ice factory, at Pulau Kerto, and directly opposite Sibu town, had only one casualty during the Occupation. When the first Japanese soldiers arrived by boat at Sibu, they gunned down some folks living along the river banks who were curious about their arrival. The chief mechanic of the ice factory, who was bald, was an easy target. He was not yet married at that time and the whole staff was paralyzed with fear after the shooting. There was blood all over the balcony of the quarters by the river side. Later when the tide came in every one helped to wash the blood and the poor mechanic was buried the next day in Sibu with the help of the Cantonese community leaders.
My father married my mother in 1948 and carried on his work as factory manager until 1956 when again my grandfather asked him to leave the ice factory and move to Sibu for a new job in Hock Hua Bank.
Being a multi lingual person, my father was good in dealing with all the Ice Factory customers especially the Melanaus, Malays and the Ibans as he spoke all the different languages.
He was asked to be interpreter for many important occasions in Sibu. He was often asked to interpret for the Colonial officers who could not understand Chinese. As a bank officer he was also good to his fellow workers and clients. Often when he was asked to make a speech, he would first speak in Chinese and then in English. Not many people had that skill.
My father loved photography and he actually spent a lot of time and money on his hobby. He made friends with KF Wong, Hedda Morrison, etc. He was involved with some photographic exhibitions and excursions in the early 50's.
Usually the Foochows in those days would come out for events in their white formal suits. This photo is one of the many of the 1953 celebration for the Queen's Coronation. (Note the crown overhead).
It shows the communities having a photo call at the Cross Road with the Iban Warriors from Bawang Assan. Seen in the photo is Penghulu Nanta in the middle wearing his war regalia and also the first Iban DO, Hermanus Assan (the first man in white on the left of the group of white suited men one the right.)
He was a very tall man like my father.
My father took this photo, hence he was not in the photo.
Note : Thanks to Jetie Ambin who helps to identify the two Iban personalities.
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