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A multimedia exhibition, showcasing stories through the memories of survivors who witnessed the tumultuous events of World War II(WWII) in Brunei Darussalam (Dec 1941 - June 1945) is being held from April 3-8 at the Inspiring Hall, Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD).
The ongoing research project exhibition, dubbed “Kisah-Kisah dalam Kenangan or “Stories through Memories, explores the experiences of those who witnessed World War II in Brunei Darussalam, particularly the last weeks of fighting between Japanese occupying forces, Bruneian locals and the Australian Armed Forces.
On 10 June, 1945, Australian troops stormed ashore Labuan Island, Muara Beach and the Brunei Peninsular in what was to be a successful operation to defeat the Japanese military who had occupied Brunei since December 16, 1941 when 10,000 Japanese troops arrived in Kuala Belait.
The project exhibition involved participants from different ethnicities and backgrounds to reflect the various roles people had during the war. Through video interviews, currently, the youngest participant is 87 years old while the oldest is 100.
These stories include: a son's sad memories of his father's imprisonment during the Japanese occupation; a Bruneian's experiences after enlisting to fight with the Japanese Imperial army; an Iban longhouse headman's recollections of his elders killing Japanese soldiers in a remote area of Brunei.
Japan issued occupation currency in Brunei, including denominations of less than one dollar, during the WWII. Xinhua/Zheng Jie
This oral history, multimedia research project depicts a key moment in Bruneian and Australian history through interviews with historians, journalists, and WWII survivors; historical research of the era and locations; and the creative reproduction of images, text, artifacts, and stories from the period.
Dr Janet Elizabeth Marles, senior lecturer and Program Leader Professional Communication and Media, told Xinhua in an interview that the exhibition is aimed at telling the young generation this part of history in Brunei during the WWII and let them know the experiences and sufferings of those who witnessed the Japanese occupation in the country.
Japan issued occupation currency in Brunei, including denominations of less than one dollar, during the WWII. Xinhua/Zheng Jie
The research project team of eight researchers and assistant researchers consist of UBD undergraduates, postgraduates and teaching staff at the university. The research is undertaken with the university’s research seed money.
The next phase of their research project will be the creation of a new interactive multimedia installation of Brunei Darussalam's and Australia's close connections during the last weeks of WWII.
