Japanese occupation survivor recalls curfew meal

By : Kamarul Halim M Kamal

BATU PAHAT, April 9 (Bernama) – The movement control order (MCO) as a result of the coronavirus crisis has brought back memories of the Japanese Occupation and imposed curfew for Wook Esah, 87, from Kampung Mohd Noor.

She said that among the things she remembers most from that period is the difficulty finding food which forced people to maximise the use of what they grew, including ubi kayu (cassava).

“I’m sure everyone knows about this plant and its tuber. Normally people enjoy it as kerepek (chips) or boiled or fried, but not many know that the skin is edible, too.  

“During the Japanese Occupation, the skin was not thrown away like now but was turned into a main dish like masak lemak (a coconut milk gravy dish),” she told Bernama when contacted today.

The octogenarian’s survivor ingenuity has come to the fore since the implementation of the MCO with green papaya cooked in this way for her family to enjoy.

In whipping up the dish, Wook taught her children and grandchildren how to make full use of sayur kampung (village vegetables), including cassava skin, which became delicious dishes during the Japanese Occupation in the 40s.

She said that she has not stepped beyond her house compound throughout the MCO period and is thankful her family is able to benefit from a farm plot in the kampung where they grow vegetables and fruits.

“If before this you could see the enemy, this time the enemy is more dangerous because it can’t be seen and my family will abide by the MCO rules until we’re completely safe from COVID-19.

“I would like to advise everyone to make good use of the time they have with the family because maybe otherwise everyone is busy with their own activities,” said Wook, who lives with a married child and three grandchildren.

Comparing the difficulties of both situations, she said food supplies are easier to access only that a movement restriction has been imposed on everyone at this time.

 -- BERNAMA