THE MEMOIRS OF MUSTAPHA HUSSAIN - Malaysia Today

Batu Gajah Prison 313
These newcomers were still in uniforms, some carrying socks filled
with rice. They, however, disappeared soon after arriving. The next
morning, while we hippie-looking old-timers were herded out ‘not like
goats, and in fours’, we saw Japanese detainees in loincloths running in
circles. They were later made to run farther and faster, all the time led
by an Indian exercise leader. Laggards were rapped with batons, ever so
gently, never hard knocks. Each morning and afternoon, we watched this
Japanese circus with grave concern, worried we would be likewise ordered
to perform. But we never had to.
A detainee, formerly serving in the Japanese Police force pointed
towards a Japanese prisoner, “That’s Konnichika, Perak Chief Police
Officer!” Another detainee identified Yoshimura, the most dreaded
Kempeitai man in Ipoh. “He had thrashed many a victim,” he added
quietly. I think these senior Japanese officials were taken into custody
for ‘a dose of their own medicine’ before being tried for war crimes.
Lucky Yoshimura, assigned as kitchen-help, remained plump and
healthy, but his friends were soon reduced to walking skeletons, as they
had to endure great hunger in contrast to sumptuous consumption of food
prior to the surrender. I daresay the British Officer-in-Charge at the Batu
Gajah Prison was the most talented slimming expert. Within three
months, the once fat and often obese Japanese were skeletons whose ribs
stuck out like firewood sticks. The slimming secret lay with the Military
Intelligence Chief, but I could guess.
Japanese detainees were billeted on the top floor where it was coldest
at night, without blankets and with millions of bed bugs. I guess they were
not fed sugar (just like us) and salt. They were fed food as little as ours,
yet they had to perform strenuous exercises, as required by international
law. I did not once see British Officers lay a finger on the Japanese. Neither
were they anywhere near. Everything was carried out by their favourites,
the Indians. Yoshimura was nabbed by Indian soldiers in the act of
smuggling rice hidden between his bottom and his loincloth. The rice was
meant for his hungry boss, the Kempeitai Chief for Ipoh. The Japanese
were so hungry that rice hidden in such a location on a man’s body would
still be eaten. I don’t know what punishment was meted out to Yoshimura.
A Blessing in Disguise
Although the Japanese Occupation was described as one of severe
hardship and brutality, it left something positive, a sweet fruit to be
plucked and enjoyed only after the surrender. Before the Occupation,
Malays were just learning to understand politics and were just beginning
to press for freedom and Independence. But Japan’s clarion call of ‘Asia