The Forgotten WWII Relic of Kampung Jambatan Merdeka

Kepala Batas - The Kampung Jambatan Merdeka in Seberang Perai Utara (SPU), a typical Malay village, was once the front line for the British troops during World War II (WWII). Today only the remnants of a sentry post used by the British army to secure the area along Sungai Muda serve as a reminder that this place was once a battle zone.

The hexagonal structure of the sentry post is in a dilapidated state and even the locals are oblivious to the fact that it is a historical site. Overgrown with bushes, it hardly stands out as a historical monument. The local people even use the place to dry salted fish or paddy and youngsters met up there during the evenings without realising the significance of the place. So far no efforts have been taken by the authorities to preserve the remnants located just 20 meters away from the Jambatan Merdeka bridge, another historical structure.

The post located about 50 metres from the banks of Sungai Muda, the river that serves as the demarcation line between Penang and Kedah, served as a vantage point for the British when it was anticipating the Japanese attacks.

A Nostalgic Relic

For Abu Bakar Ibrahim, 81, the post situated about 50 metres from his home and 5km from the Kepala Batas town often reminds him of the WWII and the British occupation in Malaya. In 1940, he was 13 and while tending to his buffaloes he used to watch the Indian and Sikh troops build the sentry post in the area that was covered by jungle then.

When met by Bernama here, Abu Bakar, affectionately known as Wa, was obviously excited when talking about the sentry post and the events that he underwent then. "At that time, Wa was still a small boy and this kampung was known as Kampung Dusun Lada, it was actually a jungle and there were a few houses only. During the war, the villagers fled and took refuge at the riverbank.

"Other then the sentry post, the British army also dug trenches along the river banks to take refuge when under attack. However, the locals dubbed them as ‘mad trenches‘ as when the enemies attacked the villagers too scrambled into the trenches to save themselves," he said.

Jambatan Merdeka Blown Up

To stop the Japanese army from reaching Kepala Batas, he recalled that the British resorted to blowing up the bridge at the middle and concentrated on the enemies coming along Sungai Muda. Abu Bakar said at times the British would request his father Ibrahim Dahman to keep an eye on the river and stop the locals from crossing into Kampung Permatang Pasir and Sungai Petani, both in Kedah, and vice-versa.

"There were times when he delegated the duty to Wa," he said. He said when the Japanese surrendered in 1945, they threw their arms and equipment into Sungai Muda. The discarded weapons and ammunition could clearly be seen during the low tide and many of the villagers dived into the river looking for the ammunition and metallic objects that could be sold at the scrap yard, he said.

"The locals retrieved the ammunition shell and discarded the bullet head into a nearby well. "However, the well that was neglected all this while was covered up when the construction of a new bridge running parallel to Jambatan Merdeka began two years ago," he said.

The Legacy of Jambatan Merdeka

Abu Bakar‘s son, Roslin, 36, said his father had related to him about the sentry post and also to the grandchildren. Roslin hoped that the historical sentry post would be documented for posteriori before it goes into oblivion for good. Guar Kepah‘s Village Security and Development Committee chairman Mustapha Awang Kechik, 70, also concurred with Roslin on this. Mustapha stressed on the need to preserve the remnants.

"I have heard a lot about the place from my uncle but the younger generation fail to appreciate it. I fear that with the passage of time the sentry post will go into total oblivion," he added. Mustapha who has been staying in the village since 1963 noted that other than the sentry post, the Jambatan Merdeka itself is a historical relic.

After being blown up by the British, the bridge was rebuilt in the 1950s and was officiated by Malaya‘s first Chief Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Alhaj in 1957. "I could still recall Tunku looked striking with the Baju Melayu when he officiated the bridge. Many came for the event and also to see the bridge," he said. The village too was named after the bridge - Kampung Jambatan Merdeka. The triple arch bridge is unique in its design and the new bridge that runs parallel also follows the same design.

Source: malaysia.news.yahoo.com (23 Mei 2008)
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