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10 unexploded bombs found in Sabah and Sarawak over the past 10 years

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What would you do if you stumbled upon unexploded bomb in your backyard? Well, the best and only thing to do is to call the police.

Here in East Malaysia, discoveries of unexploded bombs have been reported from time to time. In most cases, these unexploded bombs were discovered by construction workers.

Additionally, a number of them were from the World War II (WWII) era. Beyond this, there are little details on whose bombs they were. Did most of them belong to Japanese or Allied forces?

Nonetheless, here 10 reports of unexploded bombs found in Sabah and Sarawak over the past 10 years:

1.Sandakan (Mar 31, 2010)

A WWII bomb was found in the compound of a driving school in Sandakan, Sabah. An excavator operator found it accidentally when digging a drain.

The authority immediately cordoned off and a bomb disposal unit from Kota Kinabalu flew in to defuse it.

2.Kuching (Apr 26, 2018)

We bet that when this grass cutter showed up for work on the morning of Apr 26 this year, the last thing he thought he would find was an unexploded bomb.

He found it in a drain near Kampung Sungai Bedil Besar, Kuching. After examination, the bomb was reported to be an unexploded ordnance (UXO) which is used for training.

3.Lahad Datu (Aug 20, 2018)

Unlike most unexploded bombs on this list, this one was launched quite recently. It was used during Ops Daulat when the 2013 Lahad Datu military standoff occurred.

The bomb belonged to the Malaysian Armed Forces and was believed to have not exploded during the battle against the Royal Sulu Army.

A plantation worker found it in the early morn of Aug 20 at Ladang Sahabat 17 Plantation.

4. Tawau (June 23, 2014)

While carrying excavation work to build a specialist medical centre, a group of construction workers found a remnant of World War II at the site.

The police bomb unit then immediately detonated the bomb. Reportedly, it was the first time such unexploded bomb was found in Tawau. The authority believed there could still be many bombs that have yet to be found.

5.Sandakan (July 28, 2017)

Can you imagine stumbling upon a 250kg bomb in your daily work? That happened when a construction worker carrying out excavation work at the Road Transport Department building, Sandakan.

And the scariest part? The 130cm long bomb, a remnant from World War II, was still active.

Authorities believed that it was possible for bombs to be found in Sandakan as the area was attacked during WWII.

6.Sarikei (Apr 24, 2018)

There can be a lot of things you can find if you start to dig the earth for something. The most common thing you would find are earthworms.

Meanwhile in Sarikei a man dug up an exploded WWII bomb near Tanjung Manis Fisheries port when digging the ground for scrap metal.

7.Sibu (Dec 28, 2013)

How many bags of sand are used to detonate a bomb? In this case, it took 50 bags of sand piled over the bomb before it was detonated an hour later.

Oil palm plantation workers found the unexploded bomb in Sungai Assan on an afternoon while working at the site.

8.Miri (Dec 7, 2014)

Watch out when trying to dig a hole to plant something, you might find a bomb instead.

A man in Miri was digging a hole near his house to grow coconut trees. Instead, he found a 5kg bomb measuring 38cm long and 11cm in diameter from WWII.

9.Bau (Mar 9, 2013)

Here is a bomb used during the Indonesian-Malaysian Confrontation. A villager in Bau came across it near his farm.

According to authorities, the 65-mm gauge mortar remained active all this time.

And this was not the first time a bomb has been found in the district.

10.Sarikei (Dec 16, 2018)

This is the latest bomb finding incident in Sarawak. A WWII bomb which was still active was found in Ulu Kedup, Sarikei.

A man found it while cleaning up the river afterbridge repair work.

Do you have any old stories about finding relics from WWII? Let us know in the comment box. 

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What you should know about Operation Hammer 1965

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Despite reports that Sarawakians and Sabahans were generally agreeable to becoming part of the Malaysian federation, then Indonesian president Sukarno was not happy.

He accused the federation of being a neo-colonial attempt by the British to maintain control over the area, a threat to Indonesia’s security and a block to the vision of a confederation of Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines called Maphilindo.

The Indonesian government declared a policy of Konfrontasi in January 1963, and thus began the violent conflict from 1963-1966 called the Indonesian-Malaysian confrontation. Besides small trans-border raids, they attempted to exploit the ethnic and religious diversity in Sarawak and Sabah to unravel the foundations of the Malaysian federation.

The concept of Konfrontasi was introduced to Sukarno by the Communist Party of Indonesia (PKI), a party which was later banned by the Indonesian government in 1966.

The events leading up to Operation Hammer

The Indonesians also used the Sarawak Communist Organisation (SCO) for their operations in the confrontation.

They launched their first attack on Apr 12, 1963 at 2am on a police station in Tebedu which resulted in the death of one police corporal and two injured constables.

What you should know about Operation Hammer 1965
Tebedu

There were more than 150 attacks by Indonesian forces throughout Sarawak. The turning point came when they attacked the police station at 18th mile Kuching/Serian road on the night of June 26, 1965 which cost the lives of nine people.

That was when the new Malaysia had had enough. Three days later on June 29, key personnel in the defence and internal security departments met at Kuching.

According to author Vernon L. Porritt, the meeting was to discuss the communist conflict. The inspector general of the Royal Malaysian Police Force, Sir Claude Fenner at some point during the meeting pounded the table with his fist and reportedly said, “We’ll hammer them, let the operation be called Operation Hammer.”

The Goodsir Resettlement Plan

A day after the meeting on June 30, the Sarawak’s government’s Operations Sub-Committee of the State Security Executive Council (Ops SSEC) implemented the Goodsir Plan.

Named after David Goodsir the British acting commissioner of police in Sarawak, the plan was to resettle 7,500 people.

Historian Kee Howe Yong wrote that under Operation Hammer, the security forces would seal off an eighty-square-mile area, extending from the 15th to the 24th mile along the Kuching-Serian road.

Kee stated in his book The Hakkas of Sarawak: Sacrificial Gifts in Cold War Era Malaysia,

“Within a three-day period, some 1200 families, amounting to close to 8000 rural Hakkas living in the area, were forcibly relocated into three newly constructed barbed-wire-fenced new villages equipped with floodlit security fences and a twenty-four-hour curfew, with the explanation that this was the government’s gift to protect them from the communists.”

These were required to separate them from the communist influence and at the same time, protect them from communist threats.

In a story published in The Straits Times on July 8, 1965, Chew Loy Khoon wrote about his experience visiting this area or what he stated as the strongly guarded area on the Kuching-Serian road.

Chew followed the State Security Executive Secretary, D. Wilson where they visited 14th mile. There, they saw a group of children and adults bathing in a river under the watchful eyes of Police Field Force guards.

The entourage visited the 18th mile police station, the headquarters for Operation Hammer.

Chew also managed to interview some of the Goodsir Resettlement Plan resettlers. One of them – Chong Jan Moi – told Chew that like the rest, she accepted the stern resettlement measures stoically.

Chew stated, “Understandably, she was not enthusiastic about being uprooted from her rubber smallholding, ‘but I suppose it cannot be helped’ she said.”

Operation Harapan (which means ‘hope’), Operation Petek and the end of Operation Hammer

Regardless, Operation Hammer and Goodsir Plan succeeded in denying SCO access to food supplies, basic necessities and intelligence from their Chinese supporters.

By the end of 1965, the federal government built three permanent settlements at Siburan, Beratok and Tapah.

The 600 acres settlements were to replace the five temporary settlements.

By July 22, 1966, it was estimated that there were about 700 Communists in Indonesian Kalimantan and about 2,000 sympathisers.

So the Malaysian Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman offered amnesty and safe-conduct passes to SCO guerrillas under Operation Harapan. However, only 41 guerrillas accepted the offer.

Subsequently in 1972 and 1973, Operation Petek was implemented to eradicate all the communists movement.

Sri Aman where peace was finally restored

What you should know about Operation Hammer 1965
Sri Aman.

On Oct 13, 1973, the top leader of the North Kalimantan People’s Guerrilla Forces Bong Kee Chok personally wrote to the Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Rahman Yaakub expressing his desire to surrender.

Five days later, 585 communists fighters (about 85% of SCO members) emerged from the jungle and laid down their arms.

Then on Oct 21, Bong and Abdul Rahman signed a memorandum of understanding at Rumah Sri Aman in Simanggang (now Sri Aman).

The signing meant the voluntary surrender of SCO, signifying the end of communist conflict in Sarawak.

Nonetheless, the Malaysian government only approved the lifting of security restrictions in Operation Hammer areas along Kuching-Serian road on Mar 5, 1980.

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A Sarawakian love story of a pirate and a slave

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Owen Rutter (1889-1944) was one of the most celebrated English travel writers in the early 20th century.

He was also an English historian and novelist who travelled through Borneo, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Canada and the United States.

During his journey, he collected stories and legends for his long list of books.

One of those interesting stories Rutter recorded was a love story of a pirate and a slave published in his 1930 book The Pirate Wind: Tales of the Sea-Robbers of Malaya.

Daud, the Malay pirate and his slave girl

A Sarawakian love story of a pirate and a slave

There was a pirate – whom Rutter called Daud – who fell in love with one of the slave girls living on the Sarawak river.

Daud was so in love with her that he offered to buy her from her master but he was denied. (Slave women were often highly prized by their masters and more sought after compared to slave men.)

Since Daud could not get his woman through legal means, he began an affair with her instead. When night time fell, the slave woman would sneak out to the jungle into Daud’s arms.

Shortly after the affair started, her master found out. So the master sent word to Daud telling him to present himself at the court.

Obviously very much in love, Daud agreed to appear in court in order to free his lover and be with her.

On that day, Daud came to the court with his brother. After much discussion, those present in the court agreed that if Daud could produce a brass cannon, the girl could belong to him.

Rutter wrote, “The amount was enormous, even for a wealthy young pirate, but Daud agreed to the terms and he and his brother were allowed to depart.”

When the day of payment arrived, Daud showed up at the court without his brother. Unfortunately, he did not manage to raise the full amount, so he asked for more time to collect the money.

A Sarawakian love story of a pirate and a slave
Daud the pirate fell in love with a slave girl who lived on the Sarawak river.

The tragic end to a love story

The council then deliberated for a while. Finally, the court decided that Daud should leave his kris (a small Malay dagger) as a pledge.

Reluctantly, Daud agreed even though for him, his kris was his most precious belonging. But the thought of losing his woman was simply unbearable for Daud.

He then slowly unfastened the cord around his waist, bending down to lay his kris on the floor before the council.

It was the moment that the master waited for. Before Daud could even react, a group of men seized him from behind.

Then, one of the master’s men stabbed him with his own kris, as Rutter put it “into the hollow between Daud’s collar bone and neck – down to the heart that had beaten so wildly for the little slave girl.”

Unfortunately Rutter’s story ends there, and so we can only assume that the master went on his own merry way and that the slave girl mourned the loss of her lover and that of a happy ending.

But folk stories rarely have the happy ending so popularised by the Disney franchise. For more weird endings, check out these stories from Five interesting stories from Central Borneo.

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That one time Sri Aman’s tidal bore almost killed author William Somerset Maugham

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William Somerset Maugham (or better known as W. Somerset Maugham) was a famous British novelist and short story writer.

Although he was a practicing physician, the art of writing called to him after his first novel Liza of Lambeth sold out quickly.

During the first World War, Maugham served with the Red Cross before he was recruited into the British Secret Intelligence Service.

Maugham’s life as a travel writer

It was during this period when he travelled to India and Southeast Asia. Even after the war ended, Maugham continued to journey to India, Southeast Asia, China and the Pacific.

Instead of jotting down his account into a travel piece, Maugham observed people, collected stories and turned them into works of fiction.

The author travelled mostly with his secretary (and lover) Frederick Gerald Haxton. Maugham was known for his shyness and introversion but thanks to Haxton’s extrovert personality, he was able to gather material for his stories.

In 1921, Maugham and Haxton made their way to the Malay Peninsula, Singapore and Borneo, exploring this region for six months.

They returned again to Southeast Asia in 1925 where they travelled for another four months.

Loosely based on these trips, Maugham published two books of short stories namely The Casuarina Tree (1926) and Ah King (1933).

Two out of the six stories (“Before the Party” and “The Yellow Streak”) in The Casuarina Tree were based in Borneo.

While he mainly used imaginary characters in his stories, Maugham based some of the plots on his own personal experience, particularly in “The Yellow Streak” in which he described was “based on a misadventure” of his own in Simanggang (now Sri Aman).

That one time Sri Aman’s tidal bore almost killed author William Somerset Maugham
The narrower part of Batang Lupar river near Engkilili town where Maugham was travelling along this river and had his own misadventure.

Maugham’s “The Yellow Streak”

“The Yellow Streak” follows Izzart, a snobbish guy who is put in charge of the safety of a mining engineer named Campion hired by the fictional sultan of Sembulu to discover mineral possibilities in Borneo.

After a meeting upriver, their boat encounters an accident with a tidal bore:

“In a moment the waves were upon them. It was a great wall of water that seemed to tower over them, and it might have been ten or twelve feet high, but you could measure it only with your horror. It was quite plain that no boat could weather it. The first wave dashed over them, drenching them all, half filling the boat with water, and then immediately another wave struck them. The boatmen began to shout. They pulled madly at their oars and the steersman yelled an order. But in that surging torrent they were helpless, and it was frightening to see how soon they lost all control of the boat. The force of the water turned it broadside on and it was carried along, helter-skelter, upon the crest of the bore. Another great wave dashed over them and began to sink.”

The real-life tidal bore of Sri Aman

That one time Sri Aman’s tidal bore almost killed author William Somerset Maugham
Sri Aman, where famous British author William Somerset Maugham almost died in the 1920s.

Sri Aman is famous for its benak, which means tidal bore in Malay, of the Batang Lupar river. The bore comes in from the river mouth and fills up the river rapidly in approximately 10 minutes.

According to Department of Irrigation and Drainage Sarawak, the tidal bore can travel up to 45km passing Sri Aman until it ends at Berangan.

The wave crest in Batang Lupar can rise up to almost 10 feet high (or 3.04 metres). Unlike other places in the world, Sri Aman’s tidal bore is the only one that happens everyday. However, the really big ones happen only a couple of times a year.

Perhaps Maugham was unfortunate to face off with one of the big ones.

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The Legends of Pelagus Rapids, Kapit

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The Pelagus Rapids are infamously known as the ‘Rapids of Death’.

They have caused the deaths of many travellers who needed to travel from Kapit to Belaga.

The Legends of Pelagus Rapids, Kapit
A road in Belaga.

Located up the Rajang river, the ferocious rapids spanning 5km consist of at least seven dangerous sessions. The locals call some of them Lapoh, Sukat, Bidai, Tilan, Makup, Batu Nabau, Lungga and Mawang.

The rapids are particularly dangerous when the water level is low. When the narrow passage combines with fast flowing water, it is no surprise that the river has led to many accidents.

One of the most tragic events happened in 1973 when a longboat carrying teachers and students from SMK Kapit hit the rocks and sank. Sadly, 17 students died in that accident.

The Legends of Pelagus Rapids, Kapit
Fort Sylvia in Kapit,

As Sarawak is a land of endless mythical legends, there are several legends associated with Pelagus Rapids:

1. The rocks are pieces of a huge serpent

Once upon a time, there was a huge serpent that was captured and sliced into seven pieces.

The pieces of this serpent floated down the Rajang river and finally rested at Pelagus, forming the rapids.

When the water level is low, the rocks can be seen to be clean-cut rocks, just as if they had been sliced with a blade.

So some locals believe these rocks are pieces of the large serpent.

2.The other serpent-related legend is about a perverted one

Another version of this serpent legend of Pelagus is that it could turn into human form.

While in his human form, this mystical serpent tried to seduce another man’s wife.

It was not a good idea because the woman was married to a ferocious warrior. So the warrior caught the serpent and cut it into seven pieces. He threw the seven pieces into the water which now form the seven tiers of Pelagus rapids.

3. The apparitions of Antu Belang

According to historian Chang Pat Foh in Legends and History of Sarawak, if an apparition of ‘Antu Belang’ appears at the Pelagus rapids, a tragedy is likely to happen.

Another sign of danger is if there is an extra-loud noise of splashing water. The sounds sometimes seem like someone is reciting traditional rhymes or berpantun.

When these signs appear, the locals would normally avoid the rapids.

Pelagus Rapids today

The Sarawak government approved and implemented a RM9.8 mln project in 2012 to blast these rocks away for the safety of riverine travellers.

Although it has been reported that it was only the tops of these rocks that were blasted away and to exercise caution while navigating these waters, no boating mishaps have occurred since then.

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5 things everybody should know about Songket Sambas

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The Sambas Regency in West Kalimantan Province of Indonesia is known for its beautiful and intricate weaving of Songket Sambas.

Songket is a type of fabric that is hand woven in silk or cotton and often embroidered with intricate motifs in gold or silver thread.

A proud legacy of the Malay community in Sambas, here are 5 things to learn about Songket Sambas.

  1. Songket Sambas is believed to be over 400 years old.

5 things everybody should know about Songket Sambas
A tradition as old as time

Estimated to be over 400 years old, Songket Sambas is said to have existed before the Sambas Islamic Sultanate that was established with the birth of its first Muslim sultan Muhammad Shafi ud-din I.

Born Radin Sulaiman to Sultan Tengah (Sarawak’s first and only Sultan) from Brunei and Ratu Sepudak, a descendant of the Majapahit governors of Sambas, he ruled it for 10 years from 1675 to 1685.

  1. It was a sign of luxury

5 things everybody should know about Songket Sambas
Songket Sambas is luxury item in the old days

As a traditional luxury item, Songket Sambas was worn by ladies from the upper class in the olden days.

5 things everybody should know about Songket Sambas
Songket details on the collar

Today, it is often worn to formal and grand functions or events in Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei.

5 things everybody should know about Songket Sambas
Songket details on a songkok (cap)

As of now, besides womenswear, the songket weaving is also used as decorative trimming on men’s clothing along the collar or on songkok (the traditional Malay cap).

  1. Gold thread is used in Songket Sambas

5 things everybody should know about Songket Sambas
Songket Sambas is a hand woven fabric with gold or silver thread

Songket Sambas is a hand-woven fabric in silk or cotton with gold or silver thread.

The incorporation of gold thread is such an important part of the textile that the locals refer to the weaving as ‘bannang ammas’ (gold thread).

This is because the threads are light, durable and the colours do not fade even after hundreds of years.

  1. It was given as a wedding gift from the groom to the bride

5 things everybody should know about Songket Sambas
It plays an integral part in the Sambas marriage custom, often given as wedding gift from the groom to the bride

Thanks to the use of the gold thread, Songket Sambas was a valuable gift and played an important part in local wedding customs.

In accordance to the Sambas Malay custom, it was often given by the bridegroom to the bride as a gift.

  1. The bamboo shoot pattern signifies modesty and humility

5 things everybody should know about Songket Sambas
The bamboo shoot (long, tapered and triangular in shaped) motif signify modesty and humility

Another unique feature of Songket Sambas is the bamboo shoot motif that can be found on the textile.

Known as ‘suji bilang’ among the locals, the bamboo shoot pattern is triangular in shape, long and tapered.

Inspired by the bamboo shoot for its ability to bend when it grows tall, it signifies modesty and humility.

The motif reminds the wearer to aspire to great heights but  not to be arrogant or proud once they’ve reached a higher level in life.

 

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10 things you should know about Fajar Sarawak, Sarawak’s first Malay newspaper

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Did you know that the first Malay-language newspaper in the state was called Fajar Sarawak?

Here are 10 things you should know about this long forgotten local publication:

1.It was founded by Muhammad Rakawi Yusuf

10 things you should know about Fajar Sarawak, Sarawak’s first Malay newspaper
Muhamad Rakawi Yusuf

Fajar Sarawak was the brainchild of Muhammad Rakawi Yusuf, a former customs officer, a silat practitioner and Sarawak’s first Malay novelist. His known works are Hikayat Sarawak and Melati Sarawak.

Using his retirement money from the civil service, he published the first newspaper in 1930. Initially, Rakawi was helped by his two friends Abdul Rahman Kassim and Johari Anang. Then Mohammad Daud Abdul Ghani and Mohammad Awi Anang also pitched in to start Syarikat Putra Sarawak, the company behind Fajar Sarawak.

Rakawi was a member of the Sarawak branch of Persaudaraan Sahabat Pena Malaya, a writers’ guild which was one of the first starters of nationalism in Malaya then.

2.It ran for only four months

The publication was written in Jawi and appeared twice a month from February to June in 1930. The printing company responsible for the publication was Diocesan Press located on Wayang Street, Kuching.

3.Fajar Sarawak was focused on news, education, general knowledge and entertainment

Sadly, Fajar Sarawak did not publish a lot of news. Partly because the company did not have enough resources to cover the whole kingdom, and another reason was there was not enough newsworthy happenings back then.

However thanks to the founders’ connections, they had their own correspondents in Tehran and Medan.

They did not carry any news from Sarawak’s neighbours such as Malaya, Singapore, Brunei and North Borneo.

4.There were also world history, poems and news reports.

Nonetheless, Fajar Sarawak did carry stories from the Middle East such as Afghanistan and Turkey.

It also published articles on world history and poems of religious nature.

5.The closest thing they came to criticise the Brooke government was regarding the Malay land policy.

Just as in today’s world, governments introduced laws and ordinances to keep the media in check.

Back then the Brookes introduced the 1927 Printing Presses Ordinance to control licensing of the media. Some speculated it was to prevent the rousing of Chinese political action through Chinese newspapers.

As for Fajar Sarawak, it started its first publication with praise for the government by publishing a photo of the third Rajah, Vyner Brooke and these words:

The Rajah loves his people
Their cause be never forsook
All generations yet to come
Shall bless the name of Brooke

Nonetheless, the founders used the newspaper to voice out their concerns over Kuching’s changing racial composition since the beginning of 20th century.

During this period, many Malays were forced to sell their lands due to financial depression.

So the newspaper called the government to grant every Malay three acres of vacant land which could not then be legally sold or mortgaged.

They even pointed out that the Kesatuan Melayu in Singapore and Penang had managed to do so from their government.

6.Fajar Sarawak was also interested in developing Malay education

Since education was one of its focuses, historian Bob Reese wrote that Fajar Sarawak might have been partly responsible for the opening of a number of new Malay schools from 1930.

Reese stated, “The Merpati Jepang School was opened in that year and 1931 saw the opening of the Enche Buyong School and the merging of two existing schools to form the government-sponsored Madrasah Melayu. This was intended to train the Malays for the Native Officer and Junior Administrative Services. The first Malay girls’ school, Sekolah Permaisuri, opened in 1930 and the government initiated a policy of sending Sarawak students to the Sultan Idris College at Tanjung Malim in Malaya to train as Malay-medium teachers. And it was significant that the leadership of this movement was provided by commoners like Rakawi.”

7.Advertisers ranged from tailors to a bicycle shop

Although the newspaper was vocal in encouraging the Malay community to patronise Malay shops to increase prosperity, Fajar Sarawak did publish advertisements from Chinese businesses.

Among them were advertisements for bicycle parts, a bookshop by H.K. Abdul Rahman Brothers and even condensed milk from Milkmaid brand priced at 7 cents(!) a can or 80 cents for a dozen cans.

8.A few factors led to its short life

Fajar Sarawak had a short yet significant life. The passion of its writing could not make up for its lack of business skills. The newspaper could not compete with imported magazines such as Singapore’s Dunia Melayu. It had few stories beyond Kuching and local advertisers only advertised once. Eventually, Rakawi ran out of money to keep the publication going.

9.There was no Malay newspaper in Sarawak until the appearance of Utusan Sarawak in 1948

After the end of Fajar Sarawak, only Chinese newspapers and the English language Sarawak Gazette were left. Then in 1948, Utusan Sarawak emerged as the new Malay newspaper.

10.Four issues of Fajar Sarawak are known to have survived

So far, there are only four issues of Fajar Sarawak left in existence. They can be found in Rhodes House Library, Oxford and the Singapore National Library (No. 1 issue of Feb 1,1930) as well as Issue no 4, 9, 10 in Sarawak Museum (Mar 1, June 1, and June 16).

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Rising Sun over the Land of Hornbills: Sarawak during the Japanese Occupation

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After the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec 8, 1941, US and Britain immediately declared war on Japan.

The result? The Pacific War spread over around Southeast Asia including Sarawak.

By Dec 16 that year, the Japanese force secured Miri and by Christmas eve, they took over Kuching.

About less than a month later, the Japanese conquered the whole island of Borneo. And it was the first time in modern history that all of Borneo was under a single rule.

For the next three years and eight months, the Japanese occupation did little for Sarawak development. There was a lack of food supply and other basic necessities.

Even so, the Japanese did  – in their own way –  try to govern Sarawak.

Sarawak Constabulary under the Japanese occupation

Just like in most civil sectors, many Malay policemen kept their jobs in Sarawak Constabulary during the occupation.

Before the Japanese arrived, there were only a few Dayaks in the force. During the occupation, the Japanese intensively recruited the Dayaks as they found them to be hardworking, honest and loyal.

Besides the infamous kempeitai, the Japanese also set up a couple other law enforcement groups.

There was a vigilante system comprised of about 30 houses under a local man called jikeidan.

Apart from that, there was a militia called kyodohei consisting mainly of Ibans but with Malay senior officers.

Even with a day job, the constabulary personnel overall suffered from malnutrition due to lack of food supply.

Both jikeidan and kyodohei were not that successfully implemented due to strong resistance from the local people.

Rising Sun over the Land of Hornbills: Sarawak during the Japanese Occupation
Japanese building of Kuching.

Land policies under the Japanese occupation

According to Vernon L. Porritt in British Colonial Rule in Sarawak, the Land Department reopened its office only few weeks after the Japanese arrived.

But with reduced staff and of course a Japanese officer in charge of the department. Then in 1942, the Japanese demanded that all land titles be confirmed and ratified, charging $2 for the service.

They also imposed special tax on transfers of land valued at more than $1,000.

Generally, the local staff handled the departmental affairs according to Brooke legislation and procedures.

Women under Japanese occupation

Ooi Keat Gin wrote in Rising Sun over Borneo that there was only one single case of rape reported during the occupation. It involved a 14-year-old European girl.

Five Japanese soldiers sexually assaulted her when she and her family were arrested. After the incident, she was treated at the hospital. Apparently, one of the rapists was later imprisoned and badly beaten by the Japanese police.

While the rest of Southeast Asia as well as Taiwan and South Korea had appalling cases of women being coerced or abducted to serve as ‘comfort women’ (the numbers have been reported to be as high as 200,000 women), surprisingly there were no official reports of sexual assaults even at Batu Lintang Prisoners of War (POW) Camp.

Historians contributed it the strict discipline enforced by the camp commander Lieutenant-Colonel Tatsuji Suga.

It was believed that Suga had a ‘soft spot’ for women and children, even allowing children to ride his car within the camp compound.

Rising Sun over the Land of Hornbills: Sarawak during the Japanese Occupation
A kempeitai (Japanese police) would wear this headgear and leggings during the World War II.

Education under the Japanese occupation

Speaking of Suga and Batu Lintang Camp, the Lt Col reportedly allowed books brought into the camp for the prisoners to read.

They were even given university certificates after the prisoners mastered various languages.

Meanwhile, the rest of education system in Sarawak suffered tremendously. The Japanese closed mission schools while allowing most government Malay schools to continue to function.

Only some Chinese schools were allowed to open. Regardless of these, attendance and enrolment decreased during the Japanese occupation.

In Kuching, St Thomas’ School was turned into a labour camp while the main building of St Mary’s School was used as an army mess and brothel.

Overall, 17 schools were completely destroyed and another 35 schools damaged.

After the Japanese occupation

On Sept 11, 1945, the Allied Force under Major General Wooten arrived in Kuching to receive the formal surrender of the Japanese Army.

After that, Australian Military Administration immediately took over Sarawak administration for about seven months until Apr 4, 1946.

Read more:

What you need to know about the Japanese Building of Kuching

Toshinari Maeda, the Japanese nobleman who died off the coast of Bintuly during WWII

Alber Kwok, the Kuchinite who led the Kinabalu Guerrillas during WWII

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5 things every Sarawakian should know about Circular No.9/1946

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When the third White Rajah of Sarawak Charles Vyner Brooke decided to cede the kingdom to Britain as a crown colony, many Sarawakians were unhappy.

This was because he previously stated he would grant the right self-rule to Sarawak according to the Nine Cardinal Principles of the rule of the English Rajah.

Despite the heavy resistance by the local people, the British declared Sarawak a crown colony on July 1, 1946 anyway.

Many of the local associations started an anti-cession movement around the country. Then the British government realised that civil servants made up most of the members of the anti-cession movement.

So the British fought back by issuing a warning in a secretariat circular. Here are 5 things you should know about the infamous anti-cession Circular No.9/1946:

5 things every Sarawakian should know about Circular No.9/1946
The current Sarawak Textile Museum. It used to house the Education Department of Sarawak State Museum.

1.Circular No.9/1946 came about due to a huge rally in Padang Merdeka

The members of anti-cession movement organised many rallies across the country. However, the biggest rally reportedly was held in Central Padang (now Padang Merdeka) where about 15,000 people attended.

2.It was issued to curb the anti-cession activity

Embarrassed by the fact it was attended mostly by civil servants, the Chief Secretary to the Government C.W. Dawson signed Circular No.9/1946 on Dec 31, 1946.

3.This was the exact words of the circular
‘In view of the political change in the Status of Sarawak by which on 1st July, 1946, it became a Crown Colony, His Excellency the Governor has directed that this circular should be sent to all Government officers on the establishment.

(a)Government experts and requires absolute loyalty from all servants.
(b)Since there is no question of any change in the present regime or any reversion to Brooke rule, Government will not permit or tolerate any association by its servants with any activities designed to keep alive the question of cession.
(c)There will be no victimisation for any speech or act of any Government servant in the past relating to the question of cession, but each Government servant must now make his mind weather he wishes to serve the present Government loyally and faithfully or not.
(d)If you do not feel that you wish to continue in the Government service under these conditions, you should inform your Resident, District Officer, or Head of Department, as the case may be, before 31st December, 1946, and he will advise you as to the course you should pursue.
(e)Any Government servant in future who associates himself with any activity designed to keep open the question of cession or commits any act of deliberate disloyalty Government will render himself liable to instant dismissal.’

4.How the circular backfired

If the British government were looking to scare the civil servants with Circular No.9/1946, the move backfired immediately.

The circular led to a mass resignation of at least 338 teachers and government servants on Apr 2, 1947. That number made up of 13% of the civil service.

The mass resignation forced the closure of more than 22 schools in Sarawak. Additionally, 56 university students quit their studies in protest.

A book containing all the signatures of civil servants who resigned is now on display at Urang Sarawak Exhibition at Sarawak Art Museum.

5.It led to the birth of Young Malay Association

Despite the mass resignation, the British were not going down without a fight. The then government allegedly used the racial card by disrupting the relationship between the Malays and the Dayaks.

They promoted the idea that Sarawak colonisation was to bring better life only to the Malays.

The British government reportedly encouraged the formation of Young Malay Association (YMA) which would only support Sarawak colonisation. The British recruited YMA members by threatening them or extorting them: If they refused to join, their children would be unable to attend school or join the civil service.

The climax of the anti-cession movement in Sarawak was the murder of the second Sarawak governor, Duncan Stewart.

Sarawak then continued remained as a colony until July 22, 1963 when the British granted it self-governance.

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Snapshots of the old Rumah Dayak in Kuching

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It was said that the original Rumah Dayak was going to be rebuilt as a bigger, better commercial project in 1996. Since it was demolished the following year, however, construction has been lagging and changing developers for the better part of 20 years.

Here’s a brief snapshot of what it was like hanging out at Rumah Dayak in it’s heyday.

Snapshots of the old Rumah Dayak in Kuching
A Kumang Gawai from Gawai Dayak celebrations at Rumah Dayak in 1971. – Photo credit Penerangan.

Rumah Dayak at Jalan Satok was once a proud symbol of unity for the Dayak people. For those who have memories of the building, they would understand that it served more than just a function venue but a center of cohesiveness that brought the people together regardless of their backgrounds.

Opened by Sarawak’s second Chief Minister Dato Sri Penghulu Tawi Sli on 26 December 1969, Sarawak Dayak National Union’s Rumah Dayak was once a lively and vibrant gathering place for the Dayak communities before it was demolished in 1997.

Back then the double-storey, semi concrete wooden community centre was where people would come together for discussions and for any kind of celebration. It was also a learning center for people to learn and share traditional customs such as ngajat, bebiau and bejampi.

Rumah Dayak held such a place of prominence among the Dayak community at the time that it was also used for state level Gawai Dayak celebrations held every year on June 1-2.

Snapshots of the old Rumah Dayak in Kuching
Gawai Dayak celebrations in 1971 which the second Sarawak Chief Minister attended. – Photo credit Penerangan.

Besides an events venue, it also served as a resting and lodging house for rural Dayak people who had to travel to Kuching for official matters.

After office hours, the place was usually packed with people who stopped by to meet their friends or to play sports as it had a badminton hall as well as billiards and ping pong.

It was such a popular hangout spot that even the likes of Tan Sri Stephen Kalong Ningkan, Tun Abang Haji Openg, and former deputy chief ministers Dato Daniel Tajem and Datuk Amar Dunstan Endawie Enchana used to go there.

Snapshots of the old Rumah Dayak in Kuching
A dance performance during the 1971 Gawai Dayak celebrations at Rumah Dayak.

The current scenario for Rumah Dayak

During the 34th SDNU Triennial General Assembly at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) in May 2015, Minister of Social Development Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom who also served as the president of Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) announced that the SDNU Supreme Council had agreed to transform Rumah Dayak into a budget hotel.

Currently, SDNU is still waiting for the Land and Survey Department to approve the revised plans before the Kuching City North Commission can issue an occupation permit (OP) for the completed structure on Jalan Satok.

Although Rumah Dayak on Jalan Satok may remain plagued by red tape, hopefully SDNU Sibu’s plans to have its own Rumah Dayak as promised by the Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas in May this year during the union’s Pre Gawai Dayak Dinner won’t suffer the same fate.

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