Presentation
The Japanese occupied Malaya from 15th of February 1942 to 15th of August 1945 (approximately three and a half years). The occupied the whole country and Singapore within 70 days. One of the interesting war tactics was using bicycle even in the jungles and villages. Their main aim was to establish a New Great East Asia government. They promised to give independence to certain South East Asian countries.
Among the impacts of the Japanese occupation are:
- Social impact.
Their occupation worsened the racial relationship as they against the Chinese and on the side of the Malays. As a result, the Chinese looked at the Malays as their enemies. For an example, when the Japanese used the police force (mainly Malays) to fight the MPAJA (mainly Chinese) had caused racial friction and tension between the Chinese and the Malays. After the defeat of the Japanese in the World War II, MPAJA took over the country for fourteen days and they took revenge on the Malays whom they accused of supporting the Japenese.
- Economic impact
The country had experienced a very bad economic recession. During their invasion, they had destroyed many economic infrastructures. Inflation became rampant and it caused hardship to the live of the people.
- Political impact
The Japanese administration was a misery and nightmare to the people. The misery had raised political awareness among the Malays. The Japanese slogan "Asia for Asians" had attracted the Malays and stirred them to get independence for their land and to build their own government. The Chinese, however, established an association called Malayan People's Anti-Japanese Army (MPAJA) to fight the Japanese.