The Cruelty of Sergeant Sasaki Saburo, the Ruler of Teluk Anson
The Cruelty of Sergeant Sasaki Saburo, the Ruler of Teluk Anson
The Japanese occupation of Malaya began in 1941 and lasted until 1945. The Japanese invasion of Malaya started when the Japanese 25th Army attacked on December 8, 1941, while Japan's surrender in August 1945 marked the end of the Second World War.
The 5-year period of Japanese occupation in Malaya was a great catastrophe for the multi-ethnic population of the country. It was like a small apocalypse that struck the nation, where daily life had to be endured in constant fear.
Returning to the original topic, this time orangperak.com would like to highlight Sergeant Sasaki Saburo, who held power in Teluk Intan. Sergeant Sasaki Saburo was the head of the Japanese Kempeitai (military police) stationed in the Teluk Anson area, which is now known as Teluk Intan.
The cruelty of Sergeant Sasaki Saburo was deeply feared by the residents of Teluk Anson. Various stories and accounts spread regarding his brutality in torturing prisoners and sacrificing anyone to satisfy his whims.
There are several events that will be recounted regarding the cruelty of Sergeant Sasaki Saburo. All of them ended in tragedy. These events occurred during the Japanese occupation of Malaya.
On October 8, 1942, five Chinese individuals were arrested by the Japanese army: Chee Kim Lim, Chee Thoong Lim, and three others. They were arrested and taken to the Japanese M.P. headquarters in Ipoh, Perak.
After being taken to Ipoh, they were all detained, and Chee Thoong Lim was tortured by waterboarding until he fainted. Not stopping there, once Chee Thoong Lim regained consciousness, the victim was whipped with a long, thick rattan cane. Later, Chee Thoong Lim was transferred to Batu Gajah prison. The victim was locked up and tortured by being beaten by Sergeant Sasaki Saburo.
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Next is the case of Koh Soo Keng. On August 14, 1944, Koh Soo Keng was arrested and taken to the Teluk Anson police station. The victim also did not escape the torture inflicted by Sergeant Sasaki Saburo, which led to his death.
On August 21, 1944, Siah Chee Khor became the next victim to be arrested and taken to the M.P. headquarters in Teluk Anson, Perak. The victim was detained and locked up for three days. Like the other victims, he did not escape the cruelty of Sergeant Sasaki Saburo. The victim was tortured and then taken to the Teluk Anson police station after passing away on the fourth day of his detention by Sergeant Sasaki Saburo.
What happened on November 15, 1944, was truly tragic. Lim Kang Ping became the next victim when he was arrested and taken to the Teluk Anson police station, Perak. Sergeant Sasaki Saburo did not miss the opportunity to torture his new victim. Lim Kang Ping was hung from the ceiling by one wrist, with his feet not touching the floor.
Not satisfied with that, Sergeant Sasaki Saburo hung Lim Kang Ping upside down, with his feet up and head down. Lim Kang Ping fainted after his face was repeatedly kicked by Sergeant Sasaki Saburo while he was hanging upside down.
In December 1944, Thor Kwee Yong was detained at the Bidor police station, and unfortunately, this victim was transferred under the care of Sergeant Sasaki Saburo. Thor Kwee Yong was tortured until he lost consciousness, and his body was covered in blood.
On December 19, 1944, the victim managed to send a letter to his wife to inform her of his condition in prison and to say goodbye, as he knew he would pass away soon. Shortly after, the victim died while in custody.
The next story concerns Tan Koon Eng, who was arrested on December 20, 1944, and taken to the Teluk Anson lockup, Perak. The victim was also tortured by Sergeant Sasaki Saburo with a wooden stick until he was lifeless.
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An individual named Chan Onn was arrested by Sergeant Sasaki Saburo along with another Japanese soldier. The victim was taken to the Sam Bin Chinese School in Sungai Suli, Teluk Anson. The victim was tortured by being waterboarded, electrocuted, hung, beaten, and having burning cigarette butts stubbed into his ear canals until the fire went out.
There was also an incident in August 1945 where Sergeant Sasaki Saburo asked an individual named Yee Aha Kee to provide a beautiful girl to accompany him for the night. Yee Aha Kee refused and rejected Sergeant Sasaki Saburo's request, and was subsequently struck on the head with the back of an axe, resulting in his death.
After Japan surrendered and retreated from Malaya, Sergeant Sasaki Saburo was arrested and charged by a Military Court for the war crimes he had committed. The trial was held on June 17 and 18, 1946, at the Teluk Anson court.
The end for such a cruel man: Sergeant Sasaki Saburo was finally sentenced to death by hanging. While waiting for the date of his execution, Sergeant Sasaki Saburo was held at the Taiping prison, Perak.
