A name that has largely faded into history. An indomitable man who had placed his duty for his adopted nation before his own self. But as long as a sliver of his memory persists, and is being refreshed by those who remember him, his name shall be recorded in the pantheon of history. Today, we shall learn of the man who is known as Jimmy to his friends and family, and Koo Chong Kong (alternate spelling Khoo Chong Kong).

Early Days

Born into a Hakka family in Xunwu County in Guangdong, China in 1925, Koo Chong Kong’s family had been forced to flee the country to Seremban, Negeri Sembilan as his family was targeted by Communist guerrillas that were fighting against the ruling Nationalist government. Later, he would follow his family to Ipoh, as his relatives were involved in missionary work at a church.

As the Japanese invasion loomed, they moved to back to Seremban. Circumstances forced him to take up arms against the Japanese occupiers, where he joined the Malayan People’s Anti-Japanese Army (MPAJA).

MPAJA

MPAJA was the Malayan Communist Party’s answer to the Japanese invasion and was the polar opposite of the Nationalists (Kuomintang) Overseas Chinese Anti-Japanese Army (OCAJA). Then MCP Secretary-General, Lai Teck, had offered to help the British to fight against their joint enemy. Lai Teck deserves a separate story on his own.

According to verbal records from those who knew him personally, he was recruited by the MPAJA because of his proficiency in English. They had initially wanted to recruit his brother who had to make a living using his drawing skills and was known to be hired by Japanese soldiers to draw their portraits to be sent home.

Despite being a creation of the communist party, not all MPAJA were communists or were managed to be indoctrinated into communism. Hard-core indoctrinated members tried to recruit him into their fold; party membership would give them better leverage within an armed workforce, but seeing the atrocities that they had committed, he refused. While it was never stated, his family had to leave China due to threats from the Communist guerrilla there had left a painful mark on the family.

Hence after the Empire of Japan laid down their arms unconditionally, he packed his bags and brought his family to move to Sarawak, a move that would prove to be a smart decision.

To be continued...

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