LAI Thiam Hock 赖添福
Japanese Occupation of Singapore,
Accession Number 003493
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 2
Total Reels
- Lye Soo Choon 赖素春
Interviewer
- 01:40:59
Total Running Time
- Hokkien
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 2
Metadata
- 1 Apr 2010
Recording Date
- 00:50:21
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Born 1932 in Benut, West Malaysia. Family background, father was businessman. How Japanese occupied Benut. Father made donations to Japanese and was exempted to go to Burma-Siam Railway. Recalled one Japanese lorry that carried rice was robbed by Malayan People’s Anti-Japanese Army (MPAJA) and Japanese was killed, since then Japanese started to kill Chinese. Recalled once hid in drainage ditch from the Japanese, heard shouting and crying, found three families killed when they returned. Recalled hiding in deep jungle, described the poor living conditions.
Father bought a house from Malay for family to stay, safer to stay with Malay at that time. Japanese surrounded his house when his father was not in, took him and his brother away. Forced by Japanese to carry rifles. Passed by river where bridge was broken, a house nearby, Japanese killed all the people in the house. Walked from his house at 2am till dawn and reached Ayer Hitam, met two Chinese patrols who were sleeping, Japanese killed both of them. Military officer, who interviewee felt should be a Taiwanese used Hokkien to ask them about their father. Finally let them off. Mother tried to commit suicide when he and he brother were took away by the Japanese. How a Malay saved her. Japanese burnt their house, how the Malay helped them.
Talked about MPAJA went to their village to ask for donation. Recalled MPAJA brought his father, brother and himself to jungle for meeting. Described the meeting. His experiences with the MPAJA and how he felt about them. How his father and brother were took away by the Japanese and never returned. How her mother helped a lady who had just gave birth. Hid in jungle, went to relative house when Japanese surrender.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 2
Metadata
- 1 Apr 2010
Recording Date
- 00:50:38
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Recalled mother had rotten foot, cured by Japanese Red Cross after Japanese surrender. Relatives in Malaysia sent them to Singapore, stayed in Pasir Ris. Mother seek help from welfare department during British Military Administration (BMA), received eighty dollars per month. Interviewee worked at Changi military airport, studied bookkeeping at night. Did various odds jobs, later became bookkeeper. How he partnered with friends and started business in Penang in 1970. Described how he did sales in Malaysia.
Came back to Singapore in 1974, started business in selling radio spare parts. How he and few others suggested to Soon Peng Yam to build Sim Lim Tower into electronics business centre. Good business, business declined when Sim Lim Square was built. Reflections of Japanese Occupation. How he felt about Malayan People’s Anti-Japanese Army (MPAJA). Lost all properties in Benut during Japanese Occupation. Talked about many people were killed during Japanese Occupation, how he felt. How he told his grand children about Japanese Occupation.
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