7.01 - Malaysian History

History of MALAYA (1940-1944)

The Pacific War began when the Japanese forces landed at Pantai Sabak, Kota Baru, Kelantan and easily overran the Malay Peninsula and Singapore and their airforce sank the British warships HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse off the east coast waters. The British surrendered, and the populace experienced dreadful and miserable life under Japanese occupation. Rice became very scarce, tapioca became staple. Certain section of the locals organised guerrilla movements against the Japanese including the Malayan Peoples Anti Japanese Army (MPAJA) or the communist 'Three Star' force, with mainly Chinese membership, being the most influential. The Japanese administration attempted to win the hearts of the Malays by recognising the status of the Malay rulers, who in reality were powerless. The atomic bombs dropped over Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the Americans led to the capitulation of Japanese forces, ending the war. The communists occupied major Malayan towns and ruthlessly executed suspected Japanese collaborators, mostly Malays. After two weeks of bloodbath the British reoccupy Malaya and stopped the carnage. The Japanese occupation nevertheless taught the local populace that an eastern force could defeat western colonial powers.