Unheard Memoirs from the Japanese Occupation of Malaya

Australia has roughly 190,000 people permanently migrating here each year. Of this, over 138,000 Malaysian-born people call Australia home. This documentary addresses the urgent need to preserve the fading stories of an unheard generation, particularly regarding their experiences during the Japanese Occupation of Malaya.

While there are decent historic accounts of the British and Japanese military perspectives, there are little to no records of the experiences of the local population. With minimal audiovisual documentation and first hand accounts from survivors, there is a risk of forgetting the significant trauma and loss endured by the elder generation.

Many Malaysian descendants growing up in Western countries lack education on this perspective of WWII with some Asian governments suppressing education in their schools. While some may have heard oral accounts passed down through generations, now is the last chance to have these stories recorded so that their legacies live on.

To preserve the untold stories of those who lived through the Japanese Occupation of Malaya, offering an alternative perspective on WWII education and highlighting the silent sufferers: the local people. By documenting these narratives, we provide Malaysian descendants in Western countries the opportunity to learn about their ancestors’ experiences, fostering understanding and appreciation across generations.

We also aim to:
– Bridge intergenerational gaps by preserving cultural heritage and oral stories.
– Advocate for social justice and equity through awareness and education.
– Inspire future generations to learn from the past by acknowledging historical injustices and trauma.
– Build resilience and strength within the Malaysian-Australian community by acknowledging and honouring their histories.
– Empower the Malaysian-Australian community through storytelling and representation.

Knowing where we come from starts by looking at the way that was paved for us.

Our hope is to preserve the fading stories of the local survivors in Malaya during the Japanese Occupation.

By documenting their stories, we aim to provide a valuable educational resource and new WWII perspective for Malaysian-born Australians and their Australian-born descendants. We hope the reach of this documentary will also extend to Malaysians and their descendants living globally, allowing them to learn and educate themselves while understanding the scope and horrors their elders lived through.

Ultimately, our aim is to empower Malaysian descendants to connect with their roots and appreciate the sacrifices and contributions of their ancestors.

I am a 2nd generation Australian with my mother coming from Malaysia. My grandparents later joined us to help care for me after I was born.

My connection to this community originates from the stories my grandmother (my popo) shared with me before her passing. Her stories have been the driving force behind my research efforts, revealing a significant gap in historical documentation. Through connections with my mother’s friends and relatives, I’ve delved deeper into the local experiences of the Japanese Occupation of Malaya.

As someone with Malaysian-Chinese and Australian heritage, I aim to bridge these two identities and offer a fresh perspective on World War II education, particularly for Australians of Malaysian descent. This project aims to provide people like me with an opportunity to learn more about our history.

Our film invites audiences to actively engage with and preserve the narratives of WWII as told by those who lived through the Japanese Occupation. We encourage descendants to not only seek out and learn from these firsthand accounts for a new appreciation and respect for their elders but also to heed the lessons of the past to better shape our future.

We call on viewers to contribute their own family stories or documents related to the Japanese Occupation, which can be added to our dedicated online archive to preserve more stories.

We urge educators to provide this perspective in their WWII education, particularly in schools with a high Asian student population. We aim to enhance the curriculum and broaden the understanding of this significant period in history.

Together, these actions will foster dialogue, bridge generational gaps, and ensure that the personal stories of survival and resilience continue to be heard and learned from by present and future generations.