W.S. Buck: Sarawak Government in exile. (Brief Communications).

[Editor's note: The following copy of a typescript report, originally submitted to the Sarawak Government in exile in Australia in 1942, was found by William Batty-Smith among his late father-in-law's papers and was submitted to the BRB for the light its contents shed on the events that mark the beginning of the Japanese Occupation period. We thank Mr. Batty-Smith and his family for sharing this valuable report with our readers.]

11b, Fairfax Road,

Belleview Hill,

Sydney.

20.3.42.

Sir,

I have the honour to submit my report on events, as I know them, immediately prior to the invasion of Sarawak, up to the time of my arrival in Java, as requested in your memorandum No. 10 in 61712 dated 14.3.42.

2. It should be noted that the events are recorded from memory, and consequently I am unable to give a day to day account, and there may be slight inaccuracies regarding the sequence of events, dates and names, but the report is substantially correct.

CONFIDENTIAL.

3. Selalang Bazaar was burnt to the ground about the middle of December, but police investigations were unable to discover the cause, and it was generally believed that the affair was accidental, and not due to fifth column activity. The property of the Island Trading Co, was untouched. Mrs. Bomphrey has been advised to leave Selalang and had proceeded to Kanowit a few days previously, together with her two children and amah, in one of the Company's vessels, and had taken with her stores sufficient to last her party for 3 or 4 months.

4. Jerijeh wireless (short wave station) failed about this time, and two boatman were stationed there to carry messages to Selalang, and a speedboat and lookout were stationed at Kuala Selalang for additional security, with orders to report at once, any suspicious shipping entering Kuala Rejang. Mr. Bland of the I.T.C. was appointed Reporting Officer, and given a special reporting code.

5. A message was received at. 2 p.m. on 20th December from Oberon asking that H.M.S. "Kudat" be requested to proceed at once to Tanjiong Sink to assist survivors from H.H.M.Y "Maimuna" and another vessel (subsequently stated to be the S.S. "Lipis") which were being bombed and machine-gunned by enemy planes. Oberon does not seem to have been aware that H.M.S. "Kudat" had left (under Navy Orders transmitted through Kuching) at 9 a.m. that morning. Mr. Bland was instructed to give orders to his sea-going vessels to stand by to give assistance, but before they could proceed to Tanjong Sirik the "all clear" was received.

6. News of the landing of Japanese troops at Miri was notified by the Resident Third Division, and was published for general information. A special quick reporting code for aeroplanes was instituted. Report wee constantly receive of enemy aircraft in varying numbers, and Air Raid Precaution including a total blackout were enforced. At first Bazaars steamed out at every alert, causing congestion on the main road, only to filter back again later in the day. Measures were taken to counteract this the kampongs were evacuated of women and children as far as possible.

7. Report were receive of the bombing of Kuching, Sibu (3 dead including a Dayak police Corporal Alat (?) who had survived raids both in Kuching and on the "Lipis", Mukah (no casualties), Oya (?) and Matu Bruang were about 50 head of cattle were killed. Enemy aircraft were over Sarikei daily in flights of either 3 or 7 as a rule but no bombs were dropped either a that station or at Binatang.

8. The Kuching raid was notified in a circular telegramme from the Chief Secretary giving details of casualties. A broadcast was picked up about this time from Kuching in which the P.M.G. Mr. W.G. Tait was heard to speak to Mr. D.C. Hudden (District Officer, Baram) asking him "to try and get in touch with Jim Anderson at Limbang at once, as 'his boy friends' are listening in".

9. Instructions were received from Oberon to destroy copies of the Defence Scheme and were complied with. Meanwhile, air raid shelters were built under each Kampong house, officers and wireless stations sandbagged and shelter provided in houses of Government servants. Arrangements were made for the distribution of food stocks first throughout clerk's quarters as a protection against incendiarism, and later throughout the district using schools as centres, as a protection against invasion. The food question at Selalang was becoming acute after the fire, and Mr. Bland was called into conference, and all rationed commodities distributed through the Island Trading Co.

10. Once wireless communication was broken with Kuching, news of the general situation was difficult to come by, and Mr. Bland, who was in Sarikei for Christmas, was instructed to return to Selalang, to dismantle has plant, render it useless to the enemy as far as possible by extracting all copper, brass and essential parts such as pump plungers, magnets, etc. and to sail his fleet up to Kapit with all useful medical stores and foodstuffs.

11. On the day following Boxing Day a telegramme was received from the Resident instructing me to place a European guard on the M.L "Sylvia", distribute foodstuffs throughout the district, arm Chinese headmen and instruct them what methods to take in the event of looting or food riots, and then to retire to Sibu with all Europeans, after having handed over the three main stations to my native officers.

12. I discussed the implications of the telegrams with Mr. Murray (Settlement Officer, Sarikei) and decided to ignore the instructions regarding the placing of a European guard on the launch (which already had its full crew on board for instant action in case of air attack) as being likely to cause unnecessary consternation; but all heads of communities were sent immediately with a view to distributing foodstocks and arms. It was estimated that this would take three days at least.

13. The following morning, the 28th December, at about 6.20 a.m. I received a telephone call from Inche Morshidi N.O. Binatang, in which he stated that a reliable Malay, who had escaped from Sibu that night had just arrived in Binatang, and report that Sibu was in Japanese hands. The enemy had come from the Igan, it was said, were 800 (eight hundred) strong, and were proceeding down river.

14. I informed Mr. Murray at once, instructing him to meet me at the office as soon as he had warned native officer Abang Haji Abduirahim Fr. Quadekker and Mr. Morison. I put on some clothes and left by car for the office immediately, where the next hour was spent in destroying all codes and secret files.

15. The situation was rapidly explained to such officers as had assembled, and whilst this was being done Fr. Quadekker arrived to say that he had just received information by telephone, from one of his ex-pupils in Binatang, to the effect that the enemy were already in Binatang and were making for Sarikei.

16. A quick decision had now to be made, as to whether officers were to remain at their posts, or to disperse. Instructions received from my Resident were, (as noted above) to make certain dispositions and retire with all Europeans to Sibu.

This was now impracticable and I decided therefore to make for the 2nd Division, since it was obvious that, after the fall of Kuching, and now Sibu, that it would not be possible to carry on the administration of the district, and the subordinate staff and the police could not be expected to continue to serve Government without pay.

17. Accordingly I explained the position to Abang Hj. Abdulrahim and told him that I intended to withdraw, as in the circumstances I had only the alternatives of retiring or being taken prisoner, in which case I could be of no assistance to the natives. Abang Hj. asked if he too should retire with me, but before I could reply, he himself answered the question saying "No, I shall remain".

18. I formally handed over the district to him, and gave him custody of the contents of the Treasury (which amounted to $200,000), with instructions to see it did not fall into enemy hands, and either to bury it in a safe place if time permitted or to destroy it before two witnesses. Similar instructions were given to Ah Khoon, the Treasury clerk. Michael Juan, C.O.C.D. was instructed to dispose of all rifles and ammunition; and all were warned not to offer any active resistance to the enemy.

19. The M.L. "Sylvia", which was standing by, was ordered to the wharf, whilst I returned to the bungalow to pick up Mr. Moscrop, Fr. Quadekker, Mr. Murray and Mr. Morison, and the party left for Selalang. The bazaar and the kampong having been largely evacuated, all was quiet in the district when we left.

20. All the way to Rejang we were expecting to meet Japanese forces coming up river from Kuala, but we managed to turn the corner into the S. Tumut without incident. It is noteworthy that the juragan of the "Sylvia" gave no assistance during our flight from Sarikei, but lay in the foc' sle all day, and left it to the greaser to navigate the vessel.

21. On our arrival at Selalang about 11.30 a.m. we left for Mr. Bland's bungalow in search of food, as none of us had eaten that day. The position was briefly outlined to Mr. Bland, who informed me that all the vital parts of his plant had been dismantled and that stores were all loaded into the Sidney R. Maw (S.V.).

22. After collecting medical supplies for the party (each of whom was given bandages, quinine, iodine etc) we left for the bungalow. On arrival I sent for the Selalang policeman, but before we could settle down to a meal a messenger arrived to say that a boat had come in from Kuala Rajang and that the Japanese were actually in Selalang itself.

23. This information was probably a garbled version of a message from the Kuala Selalang lookout, reporting Japanese vessels at Kuala Rajang, but we did not wait to investigate further, but set out in pouring rain along the Roban Road, accompanied by a number of refugees from Selalang.

24. It should be mentioned that the engineer of the M.L. "Sylvia" was instructed to run the vessel up some small creek in a loba, where it would not be easily discovered, and then to make his way back to his family in Sarikei by boat.

25. The two Selalang police, whose families both lived at Kabong, accompanied us along the road to put us on the right track and then turned off at the Kabong Junction. I gathered from them that there were Japanese sympathisers among the Selalang Malays--one called, I think, Kadir--known to Mr. Bland, being particularly notable. The latter brought out with him some G 1,500--in Dutch money, which he distributed amongst the party for safety.

26. I decided that it would be unwise to enter Roban, in case we had been followed or perhaps Roban itself had been occupied, so the party turned south and looked for shelter in the first Dayak house. Here we met with a very frigid reception, and finding no food available, pushed on to a "langkau rumai", where with bad grace we were supplied with soup, but no rice.

27. It was decided to make for Penghulu Entri's house the following day. As it was expedient to avoid main roads at this stage, we found the going very severe, since in many stretches it was necessary to cut our way. Ironically enough I had armed myself with two japanese "parang" and these came in very useful though unequal to the work they had to do, and I left them as a present for the Penghulu, who both received us and entertained us in a very loyal manner. Having ascertained that Roban as free, we decided to make for Saratok the following day passing through Roban on our way.

28. The following day we left early for Roban where we met by a rather nervous native officer, and given food by the Court Clerk. It was raining hard and the whole party was cold and wet. We had, however, invested in a kerosene tin apiece, so were able to keep a change of clothing comparatively clean and dry. I was able to get touch by telephone with Mr. Drake, who stated that all was well in the 2nd. Division as far as he knew, and he promised to inform Mr. Arundall, Resident 2nd Division, of our arrival.

29. We pushed on to Saratok almost immediately along the Roban-Saratok road and found the going fairly easy except for the fact the Fr. Quadekker was failing, having a bad heart and suffering with his feet. He had to be assisted throughout the journey, and I cannot speak too highly of Messrs. Murray and Bland, who literally had to push or support him up every hill, and later along a great portion of the flat going as well. Mr. Murray on this occasion walked on ahead with Mr. Moscrop and arranged for a long chair to bring in the aged Father for the last mile or two into Saratok. He arrived in a very bad condition.

30. At Saratok I met Mr. Drake, the District Officer, for the first time and he gave the party every assistance. The Dresser fixed us up with emergency supplies of medicine and we all settled down to a good night's rest. Mr. Drake informed us that he had been in communication with his Resident through Mr. Richards, D. O. Betong, earlier in the day, and had been told by Mr. Richards that he (Mr. Richards) was told to join Mr. Arundall at Lubok Antu, and that "you had better come along too".

31. After hearing our story Mr. Drake decided to join up with my party, and gave instruction to his native officer, and then handed over his station. After fitting out the party with shoes and clothing and food, we left for Debak the following morning. This walk we found very exhausting owing to floods at the far end of the road a long detour had to be made. Mr. Murray again went on ahead to arrange accommodation and transport for Fr. Quadekker, who was holding the party up.

32. Our arrival at Debak was made almost at nightfall in consequence of these delays, and on reaching the Kubu after walking along what seemed an interminable kampong, I was shocked to see the white flag at the Government flagstaff. The very nervous native officer said that news had been received of Japanese at Pusa, and that lookouts had been posted down river, and that double guards were on watch in the bazaar all night. The party was being accommodated in the S.P.G. Church, a building nearly a mile out of Debak. We settled down here for the night and managed to get rice, and hot coffee from the bazaar. No beds nor mosquito nets were available of course, so little sleep was possible, particularly as the whole party was very wet. I visited the Kubu with Mr. Murray, and borrowing a large scale map, worked out our journey towards Lubok Antu, and engaged a guide and a couple of short term prisoners to help with our baggage.

33. We left early next morning without any further incident, and set out for the Ulu Saribas, since it was considered inadvisable to go via Betong (Mr. Richards having left there the night before, we were unable to make contact by telephone).

34. Fr. Quadekker objected to the decision, saying that our obvious route was to take a boat down river and thence to Betong via Spaoh, but this obviously impracticable, and we set out for the Ulu Paku, where we spent the night in two different houses, the main party remaining with Fr. Quadekker, whilst I pushed on ahead myself to try and arrange a boat for the Father the following day.

35. Making an early start the party caught up with me about 10 a.m. the following morning, having had considerable trouble with the Father, who was almost at the end of his tether, and getting into the Ulu Layer via Ulu Udau, the night was spent there, and there was an ultimatum put forward by a certain section of the party, who considered that progress was dangerously slow and without saying so allowed it to be inferred that the party should be split.

36. The undesirability of this was obvious, and after a general conference at which it was necessary to speak very plainly, and at the risk of offending susceptibilities, and so causing disruption of the party, a compromise was reached, whereby we took boats down river towards Betong, to a point about an hour upriver from that township and landing there struck inland for the house of Pengarah Isek, at Saka.

37. Here we stayed the night and were given a truly royal reception by the Pengarah who was most helpful in every way. I arranged with the Pengarah to send a runner across country to Penghulu Grinang, in the Ula Skrang, to warn him of our impeding arrival, and to ask him to have an outboard ready to take us down river to Bukit Suai Road on the Skrang, from where we intended walking across to the Batang Lupar.

38. A note was also sent to the Government Clerk at Betong asking him to arrange for a Government outboard to be set up from Sinanggang to the other end of Bukit Suai to transport us to Engkilili if possible. Our guide was also sent into Betong to buy stores and other necessaries.

39. The arrangements having been confirmed by the clerk we left for the Ulu Skrang the next day, carriers assisting with our baggage from house to house. Arrival at Penghulu Grinang's house was very disappointing, for not only was there no boat, but the Penghulu himself had gone off cock-fighting, and we had difficulty in even getting fruit from the Dayak. We had been warned that the Skrang might be hostile, and this was one of the reasons for asking the down river route rather than cutting across the Ulu.

40. We managed to get two longboats from this house, who seemed anxious to get rid of us, and they passed us on from house to house, until we ran by chance into a launch-cum-padi mill run by a Chinese. I paid off the guide and prisoners, sending then back via Betong, and after a little bargaining took over the launch, which running carefully was able to slip out of the Skrang above Sinanggang by night and into the Batang Lupar, and which brought us into Engkilili late that night.

41. Although Engkilili had been apprised of our coming, no arrangements had been made by the Native Officer, Gilbert Imai, for our reception; but by opening up bundles of mattresses left by families evacuating Kuching, which had been stored in the Kubu, we were able to settle down for the night.

42. By contrast one happy little incident took place here. On arrival I was handed a letter, which read as follows:-

"3.1.42. I do not know to whom I should address this letter. heard this morning that a boat is going up river to fetch some Europeans and I am also informed that Fr. Quadekker is suffering during the journey. I am sending some whisky which I hope you will find of use. I think it will cheer you all. Kindest regards and we will meet again. Yours very sincerely T. Attenborough (Tommy)".

I should like to record my appreciation of this very thoughtful act.

43. On arrival at Engkilili I telephoned the Resident, Mr. Arundall, but Mr. Snelus, D.O. Sinanggang, replied and arrangements were made for the party to proceed up river to Lubok Antu the following day. I understood from Mr. Snelus that the Resident had handed over his Division to the Datu in Sinanggang and retired to Lubok Antu with all his European staff after he had lost touch with Kuching and Sibu.

44. Messages from Abg. Hj. Abdulrahim N.O. Sarikei to Datu Tuanku Mohamat N.O. of Sibu had been intercepted enquiring the whereabouts of the Resident, Third Division, together with the reply that the Resident "udah niau" from the Datu; also a message addressed either to Qutram or D.O Bintulu instructing him to "make for Long Nawang via Belaga and Bring Bill with you" (Bill presumably meant Mr. Avery of the Chicle Development Co., Bintulu, and the message which originated from either Kapit or Kanawit was presumed to have been sent by Mr. Macpherson).

45. Arriving at Lubok Antu the following day I reported to Mr. Arundall and offered him the services of my party. He explained that he no longer had any control in the division and that he intended settling down at Lubok Antu for as long as possible, and retiring if forced to do into the ulu.

46. The Controller of Semitan in Dutch Borneo had left the previous day and a scheme was afoot organise guerrilla tactics among Dayaks, and the Asst. Resident at Sintang proposed to meet Mr. Arundall in the course of a few days. The matter was regarded as secret.

47. It was explained by Mr. Arundall to the party that he had no job for us in 2nd, Division--with exception of Mr. Snelus--and furthermore he had no supplies of food, so anyone who wished to stay in Sarawak should return to his own station and fend for himself; those who wished to leave Sarawak would have to place themselves unreservedly in the hands of the Dutch Authorities, who had made it clear that they would only accept officers on the those terms.

48. In addition to the members of my party the following officers were found at Lubok Antu, Mr. Snelus, D.O. Sinanggang, Mr. Richards, D.O. Betong, Mr. Edwards of the Land & Survey Department, Mr. Reeves also of that Department and Mr. Jongklaas of the Rubber Regulation Department.

49. Discussion followed this statement by Mr. Arundall and the majority of the officers decided that if they could be of no use in Sarawak, the sooner they could get somewhere they could have an opportunity of joining up the better. Many boggled at the idea of being impressed into the Dutch army, but it was generally agreed that anything was preferable to remaining where we were.

50. I decided therefore to rest for a day at Lubok Antu and then to lead a party into Dutch Borneo, the majority of members of which party were prepared to co-operate with the Dutch in any manner which further our effort. I proposed myself to confer first with the Dutch Asst. Resident and return to Sarawak if necessary, in furtherance of the guerrilla tactics scheme.

51. Mr. Snelus was detained by Mr., Arundall and left for Sinanggang the following day to obtain the view of the Datu and other native chiefs on the subject of resistance to the Japanese. I heard subsequently that he was ordered out of Sinanggang by the Datu.

52. Of the remainder only Mr. Jongklass expressed his intention of remaining in Sarawak, stating that he was too old for military service and the he did not intend to put himself under Dutch administration. He proposed to return to Sinanggang under Mr. Snelus.

53. Later in the day Mr. Richards stated that he would remain in Sarawak for the time being at any rate, and bearers were arranged to take the remainder as far as the Pulau Kajang Lekas the following morning.

54. Just before we were leaving I heard that Mr. Morison did not intend accompanying the party. I at once enquired form Mr. Morison what he proposed to do and he replied that he was undecided and that he would only leave Sarawak if I gave him written orders to do so. This I was not prepared to do and he expressed his intention of returning to Sarikei. I warned Mr. Morison that he should not interfere with the administration of the Lower Rajang District, which was in the charge of Hj. Abdulrahim N.O. The party then left for Dutch Borneo.

55. We were met as the frontier Kubu by a Dutch native officer, who conducted us as far as the Puala Kajag Lakes, where we arrived some arrived 5 hours later, and from that point we proceeded by houseboat towed by a Chinese launch as far as Semitau.

56. At Semitau we met the Controller and after discussing the situation with him I had a conversation by telephone with Mr. Kortleven the Asst. Resident at Sintang. The latter informed me that Mr. Bukker, Asst. Resident at Pontianak, was in Sintang and proposed proceeding to Sarawak to study the situation, and I arranged to leave for Sintang early the following day to discuss.

57. Accordingly the following day I left accompanied by Mr. Drake for Sintang, and was met by the Resident's launch half way which enabled us to make Sinatang late that night.

58. Here we were entertained by Mr. & Mrs. Kortleven and recounted out experiences and views of the situation for the benefit of Mr. Kortleven and Mr. Bukker. Both these officers were very keen on guerrilla tactics and appeared to be under the impression that the Sarawak natives were more or less starving, and that they could do anything they liked with the Dayaks provided they supplied them with salt (a Dutch monopoly).

59. We were amused to find the two Dutch Residents discussing us in French, which they appeared to think we would not understand, since they said that to talk Dutch might be dangerous before us! I gathered that they were anxious that such fighting as might take place should be on the Sarawak side of the border.

60. Mr. Bukker expressed his intention of leaving for Lubok Antu the following day and was disappointed to learn that neither Mr. Drake nor myself were intimately connected with the 2nd Division. However I was able to assure him that there was no difficulty in finding one's way across the border and that there adequate maps once they arrived in Sarawak.

61. Retiring for the night we arranged to meet the next morning and proceed upriver to Semitau, but the two Residents slipped away the following day whilst we were being given breakfast at the Sintang Hospital, so we had no option but to remain where we were until the arrival of the rest of the party that night.

62. It had been made clear to us that we were regarded by the Dutch as deserters and that we would receive a very cold reception in Pontianak. In Sintang hospital we met Miss Andrews (of the Betong S.P.G. Mission) who had come through a few days previously.

63. The day following the arrival of our party from Semitau the river launch Western Borneo arrived and we were taken down to Pontianak, a two and a half day's journey from Sinatang. Miss Andrew joined us on this trip.

64. Reporting our arrival at the Pontianak Residency I found the Treasure of Sarawak, Mr. B.A. Trechman, and the Judicial Commissioner, Mr. Trackwell Lewis, staying there, together with Mr. & Mr. Trail of the Charted Bank. The party was for the most part accommodated in the Pontianak Lunatic Asylum where we met a large number of Sarawak people and where we stayed some weeks.

65. This period of waiting was very trying, for officers had nothing to do beyond walking into Pontianak twice a day in the hope of getting some news. Eventually due to the efforts of the Governments Agent, Mr. C.Pitt Hardacre, in Java, it was learnt that there was some possibility of a ship picking up the stranded officers and getting them to Batavia or Singapore, where they would be given the opportunity of joining some appropriate force.

66. Dutch officials seemed very perturbed at the thought of Mr. Macpherson's trip, from Belaga to Long Nawang, and many of them doubted if they would get through at all, since even single officers had considerable difficulty and always arrived in a bad state of health. They talked of starvation, and proposed to send out a relief party from Long Nawang with supplies. To this end Mr. Snelus was, I believe, requested to confirm the intention of the party to make for Long Nawang and proceeded from Lubok Antu to Kapit for that purpose.

67. Of my original party Fr. Quadekker joined the local mission on arrival at Pontianak and was, I understand, sent straight away to Singkawang. Mr. Edwards was called upon together with Messrs. Harnack and Sergal to join the 2/15th Punjab Regt. as a volunteer, and later received a commission in that Regt.

68. In due course news arrived of a vessel that was to pick up the whole party, but was diverted en route. Later we understood that arrangements had been made for a Sikorski Amphibian to fetch out the party in two flights.

69. The plane duly arrived and could accommodate about 18-20 persons and left on its first trip to Batavia via Banka Island, with all the ladies of our party and the Judicial Commissioner and Mr. Elam.

70. Returning the following day the second detachment set out, but experiencing engine trouble after leaving the Borneo Coast (necessitating the cutting of the port engine) the plane made a forced landing at the mouth of the Kapuas river.

71. We were fetched back to Pontianak by car and another and successful attempts was made at daylight the following day, after the load had been reduced by cutting out two of the passengers. Batavia was reached a little after midday (after a short stop at Banka Island for refuelling) on the 19th January 1942.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient servant

(sgd.) W.S.BUCK

District Officer, Lower Rajang.

The Sarawak Government Agent,

Sydney,

Australia