To mark its anniversary today, the Universiti Malaya professor sheds more light on the ill-fated Kota Kinabalu revolt of 1943.
UM professor Danny Wong Tze Ken pointing out his paternal grandfather, a participant of the Jesselton Revolt of 1943.
“To the memory of my grandfather, the late Wong Boo Choon, medic for the Kinabalu Guerillas,” reads the dedication page., a valiant but ill-fated act of resistance by the people of present-day Kota Kinabalu against their occupiers. Speaking with FMT Lifestyle, Wong shared how he had learnt of his family’s history and how important the Jesselton Revolt is to Sabahan identity.
Before learning about his grandfather’s role, Wong had not had much to work with, apart from brief mentions in other books. All this led to the writing of “One Crowded Moment”, which tells the story of not only his grandfather but the uprising as a whole. But why rebel? Aside from heavy-handed Japanese rule and a dismal economy, “the Japanese had wanted to conscript men to fight for the army, and to take on girls to become comfort women”, Wong revealed.Even though his maternal grandfather was not involved in the revolt, the Japanese – out of mere suspicion – still beat him senseless.
On the day of the uprising, the outgunned resistance succeeded in overwhelming the small Jesselton garrison, though the victory was short-lived.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Red Bull’s Verstappen takes pole at Qatar Grand PrixThe 26-year-old can wrap up the championship if he finishes sixth or higher in the standalone sprint.
Read more »
Check Out Interesting Watches At The Grand Prix d\u2019Horlogerie de Geneve Exhibit In Pavilion KLKnown as the Oscars of watchmaking, GPHG\u2019s only Southeast Asia stop in Kuala Lumpur showcases nominated watches competing in 14 categories.
Read more »
Over 16,000 voters in Pelangai to elect new assemblyman todayBENTONG: A total of 16,383 registered voters in Pelangai will go to the polls today to elect their new state assemblyman. When the clock strikes eight...
Read more »
Voting centres for Pelangai by-election open at 8 am todayBENTONG: A total of nine polling centres with 30 channels opened at 8 am today for the Pelangai state by-election. Three of the centres, namely Sekola...
Read more »
Voting centres for Pelangai by-election open at 8am todayBENTONG, Oct 7 ― A total of nine polling centres with 30 channels opened at 8 am today for the Pelangai state by-election. Three of the centres, namely Sekolah Menengah...
Read more »