In Chapter 30 Spies in the
jungle
Chapter 30 1 Independent uncovers a "paper factory"
IN OCTOBER 1943, Siao Chang passed on Central's letter to Ah
Hai asking him to attend a Central-South High Level Party-Army
Meeting
Ah Hai wondered if it was appropriate that at this time when
2 Independent had just left Negri and when the attacks on us by the
enemy, traitors and spies were fierce. He called a meeting of the Special
and District committees. The meeting considered that the high level
meeting (in fact it was of the Central-South) was important; (2) that
although the enemy attacks were intense they had previously been absorbed;
(3) that spirits were high and (4) that the Special and District committees
would during Ah Hai's absence carry on the work and carry out orders
of the State
Ah Hai then sent a reply saying that he would attend at the
6 Independent HQ. Siao Chang then sent a guide to Titi.
That year the representatives of 3 Independent, 4 Independent,
6 Independent and the "Liberation News" (in actual fact it was the South
Johore District Organisation) met at Kubu Bahar at a station of a company
of the 1 Independent. Ah Hai was delayed on the way to Pahang because
of an attack of dysentry.
Siao Chang had before he started sent Siao Yu Ru, commander
of the guerrilla platoon, with a courier detachment to escort Ah Hai
to Pahang but Ah Hai had fallen ill on reaching Pahang and had to stay
with the Bentong squad whose commander was Lau Ho and whose director was
Siao Ying and Party representative was Hsin Po. The commanders
arranged for District Committee member Chen Feng to get men to take Ah
Hai by bicycle to get an injection for his dysentery. The medical
person was Chiang Fa who lived on the outskirts of Bentong. After a few
days Ah Hai became better and was able to stand up and walk. About a week
later Siao Chang sent guide and guard commander Wang Ru from Kubu Bahar
to escort Ah Hai to Kubu Bahar to a company station of 1 Independent for
a meeting.
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In the middle of November, Ah Hai set
out from Pahang. He listened carefully to what Wang Ru had to
say about the route. Wang Ru reported that from an Orang Asli village
at Bentong, it took two hours to a river then to the road, through
a rubber estate then to some old tin mines after which it took another
3 or 4 hours to reach Frazer's Hill at the foot of which they were
to spend the night with one of the people. At dawn they were to climb Frazer's
Hill. (Here because of his condition Ah Hai would only manage if someone
pulled him up and another pushed from behind.)
After 6 hours they would reach half way up the hill at a comparatively
low ridge. Here there was a mining pool about half
a mile wide and 50 to 60 metres deep and nearby there lived a male Kwangsi
man of about 50 years of age who lived in a bamboo hut where plenty of
bamboo would be sunned. Ah Hai asked if Wang Ru knew him. Wang Ru replied
that Lao Wang, the head of the control department of 6 Independent, got
to know him when he opened up the trail. The Kwangsi man came up to cut bamboo
and to take it down to sell. Wang Ru continued with his description of the
trail. Here the trail descended and one had to be careful because it was
slippery and if one fell into the mining pool one's bones would be smashed
to pieces. From here it was another 6 or 7 hours to the foot of the hill
where there was a river. Following the river for another 2 or 3 hours we
would come across a hut of one of the people of the area. On being asked
about the reliability of the man, Wang Ru said he had passed that place
once with Siao Chang but nothing ontoward had happened but he did not know
much about the man. Ah Hai said that further investigations should be made.
Continuing, Wang Ru said that from here there was about another
2 hours following the road before they entered the forest. If there
was a battle on the road they were to withdraw to where the troops were
and if things went smoothly they would reach the jungle in two hours and
spend the night there leaving at dawn after a meal when after half a day
they would reach the army
After
he had listened to Wang Ru's report Ah Hai said they would set out the
next day
Ah Hai set out with the courier squad. It was not until 11 o'clock
at night that they reached the foot of Frazer's Hill. Wang Ru called
for a rest. Ah Hai was ill and weak and needed a rest but his mind was
not at ease and he inspected the surroundings before lying down to rest
with a gun as his pillow
At dawn Ah Hai and the troop ascended the hill which formed
part of the Cameron Highlands range. It was one o'clock in the afternoon
when the troop reached the peak where clouds obscured the sun. The commander
asked that they have a meal but everybody had eaten and were not eager
to rest. Besides cold blast blew on them and Ah Hai could not bear the
cold and asked Wang Ru to continue with the march. Wang Ru recalled the
sentries and they continued in formation. From the bamboo hut it was
downhill, at times so steep that looking down gave one a fright. Even
mountain goats would find it hard to climb here and if one slipped
and fell it was just as Wang Ru had described. Here the tin deposits
were rich. The English had used machines to dig up the "golden
sand"
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A strange couple
Walking another 6 to 7 hours it was dark when they got to the bottom
of the hill but they had to continue walking in the dark. They stopped
to make firebrands of dry bamboo leaves but these did not last and they
had to stop and make more firebrands so that two men shared one The group
advanced like a fire dragon
The troop followed a stream. We wore homemade shoes made from
rubber sheets, called "jewel shoes", sometimes "fish scale shoes."
If one was not careful the sole would become the top and one would fall
into the water
Eventually we left the stream and got to a house by the stream.
All were exhausted. After placing sentries, Wang Ru asked the couple
in the house for hot water for Ah Hai. After he was given the hot
water, Ah Hai offered the water to all but the comrades refused and instead
drank from the stream
Wang Ru told Ah Hai he did not know who the couple were. Ah
Hai thought it strange that this young couple should come to this lonely
place, and they even had a month old baby. At this moment the sentries
called out "Who's there? Stop!" The stranger answered that he was the
head of the house here. The sentries searched him for arms then let him
go. The man entered the hut and snatched the baby from his wife. In a trembling
voice, he called to the baby which started crying and went on crying
louder and louder. Ah Hai seeing this strange scene went up the man and
asked, "Mister, what is your name?" The man answered, "My
surname is Tan and my name is ..." (Ah Hai cannot now recall the
name.) Ah Hai asked, " Where are you from?" The man mumbled something
and Ah Hai continued to ask: "What work do you do?" and again there was
a mumbled reply.
Ah Hai called Wang Ru and ordered increased vigilance and preparations
for immediate evacuation. The vanguard was to expect an ambush and be
ready for battle. Wang Ru immediately had a roll call and informed the
men of what Ah Hai had said and ordered an immediate march. In case of
ambush the crack troops were to open fire, the middle group was to withdraw
to the main body and the rear was to provide cover and advance to the middle
group
Siao Chang of
the 6 Independent, Ah Tien (Note 92) of the 4 Independent , Siao Lin
(Note 93) of the 3 Independent , Chu Yew (Note 94) of the "Liberation
News" and also representative of the south Johore District , Siao Hung,
party representative of the Kubu Bahar company appointed by the "host of
the Eastern Road," 1 Independent, its commander Chen Chang and Chou Yang
Ping (Note 95) of the political department all came out to welcome
Ah Hai.
The command
put Ah Hai and the delegates in the "guest house", a typical guerilla
hut made up of hill attap and open on all sides
The evening meal consisted of thin tapioca broth mixed with
"ducks feet" jagong flour. After the meal, Ah Hai started the
two day discussions with the delegates, with Siao Chang beginning the
talks. Ah Hai told them about the owner of the place they had come across
at the end of the path. The man's answers were not satisfactory and he proposed
a sudden attack for safety's sake.
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Siao Chang asked if Wang Ru also thought
the man acted strangely.
Everyone who listened to Ah Hai thought that we should strike
while the iron was hot
The next evening Elder Brother Hu (after the war he went as
a volunteer to Korea to fight in the war against the United States
and never came back and was presumed to have died fighting) with 10
men in an assault group disguised as Japanese soldiers and led by company
commander Chen Chang set out. When they got to the target Chen Chang asked
in Japanese if the man had seen communists. One of the party interpreted
and the man replied that a group of communists had passed through
Chen Chang asked if communists had visited before
The man replied that he had the day before reported to the Imperial
Army at Kuala Lumpur
Chen Chang ordered him tied up
He was brought to headquarters for trial
The matter was discussed and it was decided that Siao Chang
should preside over the trial, with the delegates and the command serving
as assessors. Shao Yang (who had been transferred from
Perak to the Negri south west special committee, was passing through with
the Kubu Bahar company and was temporary here) also served as assessor.
Siao Chang
informed the man that they were anti-Japanese troops and that he was
to be questioned and cautioned him against telling lies
The interrogation
The questions and answers are as follows:
Q. What is you surname and name?
A. I am Tan, my name is ... ( The writer cannot remember
the name he gave)
Q. Where do you come from?
A. From Kuantan
Q. Why?
A. To a "paper factory" (Note 96) to work
Q. What is your position in the "paper factory"?
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A. I am treasurer
Q. You reported to the Japanese that communists had come
to your place one week before?
A. Yes
Q. Did the Japanese come?
A. They laid ambush near the road
Q. Are you a Japanese informer?
A. I was "forced to"
Q. How many traitors work under you?
A. I have no one under me
Q. Who is your boss?
A. The "paper factory" manager
Q. And his name?
A: His surname is Lee and name is Fu Siang
Q. Who is the owner of the "factory"
A. The wife of Lee Fu Siang
Q. Where is your wife?
A. She is in the "paper factory"
Here there was an interval
After a consultation everyone thought that the Lees, husband
and wife, should be arrested. Siao Chang thought we should continue
to question Tan and learn more
The "paper factory"
The questioning then resumed
Q. What is your relationship with Lee Fu Siang
A. He is my
leader
Q. Who is his leader?
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A. His wife
Q. Where is Lee Fu Siang?
A. In the "paper factory"
Q. Where is the "paper factory"
A. It is near my place, in a bamboo forest nearby
Siao Chang called for a recess. The accused was sent to "prison"
made up of wood posts.
Siao Chang proposed that Chen Chang should be sent to arrest
Lee Fu Siang
Lee was immediately arrested and questioned.
Q. What is you surname and name?
A. Lee and name is Fu Siang
Q. What is your occupation?
A: I am manager of a paper factory
Q. Where are you from?
A. Kuala Lumpur. (Lau Shao recognised Lee Fu Siang
as a man from Batu Gajah, who was the centre forward for the Klunton
Football team of Ipoh)
Q. Who is the owner of the "paper factory"?
A. My wife
Q. Where is your wife?
A. In the "paper factory"
Siao Chang called for a recess and called for a meeting
It was agreed that the wife should be brought in to check
if Tan was telling the truth or covering up for himself and blaming others.
Tan was to be questioned.
Siao Chang
asked: You call yourself Tan, have you got some other name?
A. I have
no other name
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Q. And your relationship with
Lee Fu Siang?
A. He is my leader
Q. Who is his leader?
A. His wife
Q. Where does Lee live and what is his house number?
A. I don't know
Q. Lee doesn't tell you or are you protecting Lee?
A. No. Lee is controlled by his wife
Q. Why is she is so powerful?
A. She is backed by the Japanese
Q. She is close to the Japanese?
A. She meets the Japanese often
Q. Where does she live?
A. In the manager's quarters
Siao Chang called a recess. After a consultation men were sent
to arrest Lee's wife
She was immediately questioned
Q. What is your surname and name?
A. ( The writer thinks she said she was a Tan)
Q. Have you a husband and what is his name?
A. Yes, Lee Fu Siang
Q. Why do you and your husband come to these parts deep
in the jungle?
A. To start a "paper factory"
Q. You don't cut much bamboo, are you really making paper?
A. We
don't use much bamboo
Q. Tell the truth , otherwise it wont be good for you
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A. I am telling the truth
Q. Are your workers male or female?
A. There are male as well as female workers
Q. What do the female workers do?
A. Cut bamboo, make paper
Q. Have you produced paper?
A. Not yet
Q. Why not?
A. We haven't been here long
Q. What have you to do with the Japanese?
A. (the answer was not clear)
Q. You are involved with the Japanese
A. No, we are just friends
Siao Chang called a recess
It was decided to call in a few of workers for questioning
Chen Chang led a group to call in some of the workers. They
were about 18 to 20 years old. The leading cadres and the command
questioned them separately.
Q. You are women workers of the "paper factory"?
A. (They did not answer and only bowed their heads)
Q. Why are you working for the Japanese?
A. (Bitter laughter. Again they bowed their heads)
Q. How much do you get a month?
A. (They did not speak, and kept their heads down)
They tried
to question another woman worker, asking for her name
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A. I am X and name is X and I come from New Lane (or she
might have said Banana Estate or Shatin)
Q. Why do you work for the Japanese?
A. (Crying bitterly) Speaks of her humiliation by the
Japanese. This so called "paper factory" is only a "comfort centre"
(Note 97) ( It was in fact a branch of a Kuala Lumpur comfort house)
These girls were lured to this place by the old bitch and then locked
up and forced to sleep with Japanese soldiers. It was also a place
for gathering information.
After talking to more of the workers it became clear that the
"paper factory" was an intelligence centre as well as comfort house.
Siao Chang again questioned Lee Fu Siang
Q. Those women workers, what work do they do for you?
A. They make paper
Q. (Scolding him) You traitor, you informer, you force
innocent girls to be comfort girls, you who have lost all feelings for
your people, tell the truth or you will surely die
A. (Frightened) I tell the truth, it's my wife not me
The wife was again questioned
Q. The girls you hire, what work do they do, be truthful
A. They make paper
Q. You are a bitch
A. It's the manager
Q. Where did you get your women workers?
A. From ...... In Kuala Lumpur
Q. You looked around for them or bluffed them?
A. They were got here by money
Q. To serve as "comfort girls"?
There was no answer
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"Comfort" girls
Q. You lured girls here to be "comfort girls", is this a
patriotic thing to do?
There was again no answer, but she looked fierce
Q. How many do you employ?
A. I don't know (She was now resisting the questions)
Q. You fooled them into being comfort girls for Japanese
soldiers?
A. I only introduce them to work
Siao Chang questioned the workers: Did you work voluntarily
as comfort girls or were you cheated by this bitch?
The women workers answered that the "bitch" had tricked them.
When they reported for work they were told to change their clothes for
work. When they entered the "changing room" they were stripped by Japanese
solders and raped. They were watched and those who tried to escape
had they heads cut off
Q. Who was in control of you?
A. This bitch
The woman did not answer
There was a recession. Everyone said to call Tan and Lee
for questioning together. Siao Chang agreed
Q. You said that you had reported our presence to the
Japanese and that the Japanese had laid an ambush for communists; do
you wish to make any corrections?
A. No
Q. Your "factory" is an information gathering centre for
movement of communists?
A. Yes
Q. Lee Foo Siang, your wife is your immediate boss?
A. Yes
The questioning was adjourned and the prisoners handed to Elder
Brother Hu for "imprisonment"
It was proposed that Kubu Bahar company command hand over Lee,
Tan, the "bitch" and two or three workers to 1 Independent command for
decision.
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Notes
(92) Ya Tien. Responsible for the Supply Department of the 4 Independent's
Control Department. He died in battle with the British troops during the
liberation war
(93) Siao Lin also Wu Mng Chao. At the end of the war left the Party
and went to China and joined the Tse Kung Party
(94) Chu Yew. After the Japanese surrender, he led troops across
the "Singapore River" and died in battle
(95) Chou Yang Ping. Left the Party after the Japanese surrender
and became counter revolutionary when the war against the British broke
out
(96) Paper factory. A fake hostel which the Japanese used to spy
on our courier routes
(97) "Comfort House" Where women were lured by enemy agents to "comfort"
enemy soldiers
Go to the top
(To be continued)
Part
8
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