"I hope students will learn the spirit of bravery as shown from the Singaporeans who fought and rebelled against the Japanese during the occupation of Singapore," Mrs. Ong, who teaches history at a Singapore government secondary school, told Xinhua on Wednesday.

"And I also hope that the children can be careful in times of peace and not let history repeat itself," she said.

For the people of Singapore, the history of Japanese occupation of their country during World War Two should always be remembered and reflected on by future generations.

There were some questions for secondary school students to think about this period in their history textbook: "Though Singapore was viewed as an indestructible fortress, this statement was soon challenged. How could this be the case when Singapore was so quickly occupied and ruled by Japan? What did the people experience under the new rulers? How did their experience affect their view of Singapore?"

The textbook mainly dwells on the painful memories and the cruelty of war. It first describes the Japanese invasion of the northern Malay Peninsula at the end of 1941. Then, the Singapore Overseas Chinese Anti-Japanese Volunteer Army was formed to resist the Japanese troops.

The Japanese military eventually reached Singapore's shores on Feb. 8, 1942, which marked the day known as the Battle of Singapore. By Feb. 15, 1942, the situation in Singapore had become difficult for the Allied forces and the British eventually surrendered Singapore to the Japanese forces. The textbook also details how the Japanese army drove the anti-Japanese Chinese in Singapore, killing about 50,000 Chinese in the Sook Ching Massacre.

During the Japanese rule, Singapore was renamed to Syonan-to, meaning Light of the South Island. Living conditions in Singapore then were difficult, due to the shortage of basic necessities such as rice, salt and cooking oil. The Japanese introduced their own currency, known to locals as "banana money."

"War is terrible and countless innocent people will die. Peace is so wonderful. I don't want any more wars in the world," Ian, a 14-year-old middle school student, told Xinhua.

The textbook also highlights prominent individuals who resisted the Japanese during the Second World War.

One of them was Elizabeth Choy, who risked her life to smuggle food, medicine and messages to British prisoners of war. She was arrested by the Japanese army, imprisoned and tortured for 200 days. She was hailed as a war heroine and awarded the Order of the British Empire, one of the highest honors conferred by the British government.

Another well-known figure was Adnan Bin Saidi (Lt Adnan bin Saidi) of the Malay Regiment who led the fight against the Japanese at Pasir Panjang. He was a gallant soldier who fought on even when wounded. He refused to yield to the Japanese after he was captured by them, and was tortured and killed.

Finally, there was Lim Bo Seng, a prominent Hokkien businessman who came to Singapore from China at the age of 16. In the 1930s, he was involved in activities to help support China's war effort against Japan. When Malaya fell to the Japanese, he escaped to India and then went to Chongqing in China to recruit men into Force 136, a resistance army. In 1943, Lim, together with Force 136 members, set up an intelligence network in Malaya. He was later captured by the Japanese army and died in jail.

The three war heroes, although from different races, had the same brave and unyielding spirit and are remembered by Singaporeans today.

The textbook strives to provide an objective and honest account so that students can better understand the history and the importance of peace.

"Where there is aggression, there is resistance. Without these brave people, we wouldn't be breathing free air in a peaceful environment. We should always remember these heroes," said 15-year-old High school student Wilson.

"We are not trying to lift the flame of hatred in the old days, nor are we trying to liquidate blood debts," Singapore's former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew said in 1967 when the Civilian War Memorial, a monument dedicated to civilians who perished during the Japanese occupation of Singapore was completed.

"Only today we learn from the lessons of history, and consolidate our future wisely and bravely, so that many of our compatriots who died in the past will not die for nothing in the past!"

Source:
courtesy of XINHUA NEWS AGENCY

by Cai Shuya

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