Letter in Japanese for My Father

1943 - My father was arrested for investigation by the Kempetai.

Wars were times when human beings reveal their values, their true selves. They were times when mankind showed their valor, betrayal, greed. They were times when men and women suffered because of the cruelty of the invading army, and the betrayal of some greedy people known in Chinese as running dogs.

Great Grandfather and Grandfather were beside themselves with worry at Hua Hong Ice Factory, in Pulau Kerto, across the river from Sibu. The Grand uncles from Sg Bidut showed great concern because my father was the eldest son of Grandfather, and a beloved family member. He had just graduated from Yenching university and was much valued by all for his scholarship and intellectual abilities.

Grandfather went to look for any one who could help my father to gain a release.

It was known that my father had studied many years in China and that he could be part of the Kuomingtang. The Japanese were looking for the enemies among the Chinese - those mainland Chinese spies and those who could harm the Japanese government or army.

My father had studied in Shanghai and Beijing so he was a suspect.

Fortuntely my grandfather found Mr. Lu Kie Choon, a man well versed in Japanese language and a Foochow man who was already employed by the Japanese as part of the administrative staff in the Japanese civil service in Sibu. Mr. Lu was a man the Foochows respected and he carried out his duties with care and wisdom. The family was indebted to the Lu family.

He wrote an appeal letter for my grandfather to bring to the Kempetai touching on several points"

that my father was

a. Not a spy but a scholar in China

b. a student sent to China by the Sibu Methodist group, not by the Kuomintang

c. not a member of the KMT in China and never wore a uniform

d. not a member of any underground movement, but just a teacher and a businessman managing an ice factory

d. a lover of music and therefore he had so many vinyl records and a radio

These were some of the points my aunts in Singapore remembered when they once talked to my mother about the Japanese time. Two of my older aunts were already in Singapore at that time.

My third aunt Pearl was a very strong woman who believed in justice and rights. She was married to the eldest son of the Foochow headman in 1938. And she also told my mother that even her father in law, then a headman, had come up to Sibu to speak for my father. But it was also useless.

My grandfather and great grandfather lost their appetite as they were most worried that my father would lose his head. 

My grandfather brought the petition written by Mr Lu to the Kempetai, he waited for a few days for the decision for his release.

 Indeed my father was released after a few days. He was a suspect for spying. And when he recovered he had to work as a labourer to build the Sibu Airport. Every day he had to walk with all his friends the whole three miles to Sg. Merah and the airport with his changkol and bungee.

The beatings he received on the chest were some of the causes of his weakened heart and general ill health.