SOON Kim Seng
Japanese Occupation of Singapore,
Accession Number 000543
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 11
Total Reels
- Tan Beng Luan
Interviewer
- 05:06:31
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 11
Metadata
- 3 Apr 1985
Recording Date
- 00:29:15
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Personal background. His relationship with Aw Boon Haw's family. Bomb shell in house compound killed Aw's son. Questioned by Japanese about Aw Boon Haw's whereabouts and his valuables. Mass screening centre. Ordered to move out of Aw's family home.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 11
Metadata
- 3 Apr 1985
Recording Date
- 00:27:40
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Conflict in Tiger Balm office; staff arrested and tortured by Kempeitai. His detention and torture. Conditions in Central Police Station. Number of staff arrested and outcome of detention. Company's compulsory contribution to Japanese war effort; how it was paid. Obtained job in Kumiai nature of work. Why Kumiai came under Military Administration.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 11
Metadata
- 3 Apr 1985
Recording Date
- 00:29:03
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Trading activities of private company he worked in. Set up of Food Control Department. Ration cards system. Japanese re-exported supplies and useful equipment to Japan. Attended Sunday concerts. His department solely responsible for animal feed distribution. Loss of dry cooked rice from his store. Obtained letter from Shinozaki for evacuation to Ipoh. Working conditions in office. His black market activities.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 11
Metadata
- 16 Apr 1985
Recording Date
- 00:27:15
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Sources and importers of animal feed and staple food. Description of his department's work. System of payment to pig farmers. Recommendations for changes to existing practices made by staff; accepted by Japanese.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 11
Metadata
- 16 Apr 1985
Recording Date
- 00:27:42
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Wild boar meat imported to supplement meat supplies in Syonan-to. Distribution of meat to market stalls and butais. Various ingredients in animal feed. Sources of beef. Job changed from delivery clerk to storekeeper.
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Reel/Disc 6 of 11
Metadata
- 16 Apr 1985
Recording Date
- 00:27:40
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Incident regarding loss of dry cooked rice stock from his store. Staff relationship in his department. Limited contact with Japanese. Salary inadequate. His black market activities.
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Reel/Disc 7 of 11
Metadata
- 16 Apr 1985
Recording Date
- 00:27:16
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Prevalence of illegal activities to supplement income by local and Japanese staff. Received gifts from depot men. Why it was necessary to control distribution of animal feed. Supply of animal feed depended on availability of copra. Why Japanese could not allow free market system.
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Reel/Disc 8 of 11
Metadata
- 3 May 1985
Recording Date
- 00:27:49
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Farmers compelled to sell to government in return for supply of animal feed. Illegal slaughter of pigs. No quota on sale of pigs imposed on farmer. His belief that Taiwanese was used for intelligence work. His friendship with two American-born Japanese. Impression of his Japanese officer.
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Reel/Disc 9 of 11
Metadata
- 3 May 1985
Recording Date
- 00:28:58
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Party in Japanese officer's residence aroused his suspicions about theft of dry cooked rice. Japanese encouraged evacuation from Singapore towards end of Japanese Occupation. Exhibitions held to promote grow food campaign. Circular in department encouraging voluntary evacuation. Letter issued by Shinozaki to assist him. Free train passage to Ipoh. Situation in Ipoh; how he spent his time. Free repatriation to Singapore.
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Reel/Disc 10 of 11
Metadata
- 3 May 1985
Recording Date
- 00:29:14
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
His job after Japanese surrender. British Military Administration (BMA) introduced People's Restaurant to help with food situation. Black market continued during BMA. Why Haw Par Swimming Pool was exclusively for Chinese; his decision to open it for all races. Impact of Japanese Occupation on him. Nature of fear and anxiety experienced by people during Japanese Occupation.
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