Appendix: A Brief History of Kuching, Dec[ember] [19]41-Sep[tember] [19]45 Chief Informant: KOH SOON EWE, married Chinese, at present em­ ployed as clerk by BBCAU. Pre-war was with Civil Administration working under the previous Chief Secretary of Sarawak, Mr [J. Beville] Archer. Forced by Japs to work in Jap civil administra­ tion. Recommended to me1 by Mr Archer for above purpose. Dates are from memory and an approximate only. 19-12-41 15 Jap2 planes bombed Kuching. Direct hit Borneo Co benzine store. 30 killed. After the bombing bazaars closed and most of the people left Kuching for outer suburbs, jungle and seaside. 24-12-41 Evening Japs landed. Informant left for outer suburbs, but heard shooting for days. 26-12-41 Govt offices re-opened, Banks remained closed until 1944. Early 1942 Yokohama Specie Bank opened. Jan42 All motor cars impressed by military, all buses and trucks taken over by the Jap Transport Co and small compensation made. Jan42 Labour recruited for aerodrome3 construction - mainly Dyaks, and forced labour. Extra rations and payment as inducement. Jan42 Wireless set sealed by J aps. After the fall of Singapore seals removed. About July 1942, all wire­ less sets confiscated, a small compensation ($5 per valve) being paid in June 1944. 29-1-42 Kuching bombed by one Dutch plane, fell on a house in India Street near the Power Station. Jan42 Most of [the] population returned. All the shops re­ opened. Japs used same prices (in beginning) as pre[-]war. In the beginning used Sarawak currency, 125 126 Appendix a few months later Jap invasion currency was introduced. June 42 Military HQ moved from Miri to Kuching. C-in-C lived at 'Astana' (Rajah's Palace)[.] HQ offices were in previous Govt offices - building with the clock tower opposite concrete ramp. C-in-C killed in plane crash soon after arrival- not known where or how. ,, Instructions issued to population to officially welcome the C-in-C. The Indian Independence League held a procession. Chinese did NOT. Early 42 Japs asked people to plant padi (rice) sweet potatoes (krebang) and tapioca. During the first 6 months people mortgaged their properties to finance plant­ ing of vegetables[.] Financed by Yokohama Specie bank. Rubber- Japs began purchasing rubber and damar (from which a very poor lubricating oil was made)[.] Not much rubber brought in as prices were low. About July Rubber tapping prohibited except at the DAHAN 1942 (European) estate. Not known why, though it may have been due to large stocks already held and perhaps to shipping difficulties. NISSA SHOKAI (in existence at Kuching pre-war) pur­ chased all rubber on behalf of Jap Govt until tapping prohibited. Quit rent payable on all land pre-war -was abolished after 1943 on rubber holdings. 7 Jul42 Anniversary of J ap invasion of China. Chinese forced to hold a procession. Chinese flags were flown with 4 Chinese characters added, translation of which is 'Building up the country by peaceful means'. This addition was by order of the Japs, but apparently was not executed in accordance with their orders as all Chinese and Sarawak flags were confiscated. (Or perhaps it was a ruse to confiscate all flags anyhow). Jul42 Believed after above leaders of Chinese community [were] arrested, and imprisoned for about a month. One, KAHN AH CHONG (ex Malaya) was kept in prison for about 2 1/2 years. History ofKuching 127 MterJul42 A number of Chinese houses were requisitioned by the Japs for offices and residences. Jul42 5 Chinese shot publicly for stealing military stores at the aerodrome. This was the first, and last, public execution. Aug42 Chinese leaders released on condition that they formed an association, known as 'Overseas Chinese Association'. This association was used for carrying out Japanese orders, of any kind, the association being responsible for passing on such orders to the Chinese e.g. (i) A brothel for Japanese officers had to be opened, staffed by Chinese girls. (ii) A 'Defence Fund' of $900 000 had to be raised. Endof42 Head tax imposed $6.00 per head Chinese[;] Malays and Dyaks 50 cents. From 1943 onwards, abolished. Jul42 All wireless sets confiscated. II II The pre-war 1st Division and 2nd Division amalga­ mated for purpose of civil administration and known as Kuching Province. Early 1943 Work commenced on shipbuilding yards at Sungei Priok. As well as PW's [public works] [coolies], local labour, mainly Malays, recruited for this purpose. Chinese shipbuilders imported from Shanghai and Hong Kong. Inducements to work on this project were increased rations, and payment. About 1500-2000 employed. Operations ceased after the bombing on 25 March 1945. 1943 Lottery introduced. The various communities were allotted a certain percentage to fill. Run quarterly. Early 1943 KYODOHEI [KYODOTAI] (native troops) formed and recruitment for training began. Some were ex­ Sarawak [R]angers, Malays and Dyaks. This was a separate force from the police. Early 1943 JIKEIDAN ('Self Protection Corps') formed. This was a kind of ARP organisation, but it also served to assist the Police in many ways e.g. night patrolling, taking of census etc. 128 Appendix Dec 1943 An Advisory Council KEN SANJI appointed by the Civil Governor. This consisted of about 17 members [comprising all nationalities]. Early 1944 The Southern Development Bank (military) was opened and transacted all Govt business. Early 44 Shipbuilding and Seamanship training schools opened and was compulsory for those unemployed aged about 16 to 25 years, to attend. They received free food and a small wage. The shipbuilding school was conducted in a new building, completed by the Japs, situated in the Race course grounds. This building was paid for out of Sarawak Jubilee funds. Apr44 Jap HQ moved to Jesselton but requisitioned house still retained for Japanese use - especially for the Air Force whose members, including army, had increased. After the bombing of Kuching in March 45 more houses were requisitioned this time Malay houses, as these were less likely to be attacked than the European and better Chinese buildings. end of 44 The three Chinese banks KWONG LEE (Kuching)[,] BIAN CHIANG (Kuching) and WAT TAT (Sibu), which had been closed since Jan 42, were forced to amalga­ mate and re-open as the KYOIE Bank ('work together for prosperity'). Dec44 Rice rations to general public stopped. Only Government employees and employees of Jap com­ panies received a small ration for themselves and families. Government employees received 8 katis (1 kati = 1 1/3 lbs.) male, 5 katis - female[,] 4 katis children, per head per month. 25-3-45 Kuching bombed. 7-9-45 Aust[ ralian] medical personnel arrived Kuching by Catalina. 11-9-45 Major General YAMAMURA surrendered on board HMAS 'KAPUNDA' at PENDING to Comd (Commander] Kuching Force (Brigadier EASTICK DSO., ED.) Reece [rescue] party proceeded by road to POW barracks [Batu Lintang] Kuching. 12-9-45 All Jap guards relieved and complete control of Kuching effected. Force HQ established Government Land Office. History of Kuching 129 16-9-45 Force HQ moved to 'ASTANA' (Rajah's palace). 12-9-45 Evacuation of ALLIED POW's and civil internees to LABUAN commenced. All J ap forces, except a small Liaison HQ in Kuching, being concentrated at BAU from this and adjacent area. ECONOMIC Food Supply: When Japs arrived there were plentiful stocks of rice on hand. The ration system for rice, sugar and salt which was brought into force in 1939/40, was contin­ ued by the Japs for the duration. Beginning in 1943 imported foodstuffs such as rice, salt and sugar began to get scarce and the ration scale was steadily reduced. During 1944 the number of shops allowed to remain open was reduced in order that the population should become self-supporting. The rations of rice to general public ceased in December 44. Mining: Goldmining ceased after the arrival of the J aps except for a very small amount. The machinery was removed by the J aps for use at the shipbuilding yards and aerodrome. Coalmine: Apparently unsuccessful attempts were made to re-open the coal-mine at SADONG. Mercury: was obtained by the Japs from mines at TEGORA and GADING, employing several hundred coolies (mainly drawn from the goldfields area) from early 42 to Aug 45. Japanese Business Monopolies: Jap companies were given monopolies over matches, coconut oil [,] salt and nipa sugar ([later] fish - through the Chinese Fishermen[']s Association.) SUNDRY ITEMS Civil Administration: Only Malays and Dyaks appointed as native District Officers and A[sst]. DO's. As previously stated an Advisory Council ('KEN SANJI') of 17 persons (Kuching area) all races represented, was formed by the Civil Governor in Dec 43. Schools: Malay and Chinese schools re-opened in July after 6 months 'recess' using Japanese text books. Japanese 130 Appendix language taught in schools and study of Jap language was compulsory for Jap Govt Civil Servants. However, it appears that a policy of passive resistance was used and my informant stated that attendances were poor and very few could speak Japanese. The Malay language was the official language (after the Japanese). Medical: More than 50% of the hospital space was used for the Jap military. Civilians received medical treatment but medical supplies were short. Some quinine was sold by a J ap medicine shop. Religion: Chinese temples, Malay and Indian Mosque (Mahommedan), Indian Temple (Hindu) and RC [Roman Catholic] Church were not molested. Only the Church of England and 7th Day Adventist desecrated. Cinemas: At first the Japs showed some old pre-war American films. Frequent picture shows beginning 1943 - mainly news propaganda and old pre-war Chinese films.