During the second world war,10,000 Japanese troops arrived at Kuala Belait on 16th December 1941.Within six days,they managed to occupy the entire country.Despite the agreement between the british and Brunei,the British did not defend Brunei at all.all they left was a tiny detachment of a Punjab Regiment in Kuching,Sarawak to protect the three territories of British Borneo.
Even though there was no plan to defend the country,there was a contingency plan to deny the Seria oilfields t the Japanese.For that the British did use that tiny detachment of the Punjab Regiment in order to supervise the so called denial measures.Such as,filling in of alll the oil welllsseptamber 1941.The Japanese concluded an agreement with Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin regarding the administration of Brunei.Inche Ibrahim who was the Secretary to the british Resident before the war,was appointed as the cheif Administrative Officer or Secretary acting under Japanese Governor
Pehin Ibrahim managed to protect a number of important state documents related to land titles.In his book 'Brunei Days',TS Monks,describe how Pehin Ibrahim managed to hide the important documents as well as convinced the Japanese of the need to have records of the past.
Japanese reorganized Brunei's administration.Brunei became one of five Japanese Prefectures in the former British Borneo or Kslimantan Utara.The Brunei Prefectures in the former included Baram,Labuan,Lawas and Limbang which were all former Brunei territories.This was the only time during modern times that all these territories were combined to form one Brunei.
Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin retained his throne during the War and was bestowed with a pension and Japanese honours.He had very little to do with the Japanese during the occupation and he together with the Royal family left Brunei to stay at temporary palace at Tantuya in Limbang
Most of the Malay government officers stayed put at their posts.They retained their salriesPehin Ibrahim tried to provide as best an effective government machinery as they could.
The Japanese tried to bring back into operation both the Seria and Miri Oilfields.Finally they did managed to bring 16 wells in these two areas and by the time of the surrender,they had brought output back to half pre-War productions.In Muara they also tried to bring back coal productions but these were fairly unsuccessful.
Dr Reece in is book,described the efforts done by the Japanese.These included creating community councils and women's organization(Kaum Ibu).A number of Bruneians were trained in Japan.
The Japanese tried tried to stir up anti-European sentimens.In schools,Japanese was taught to students as well as Government officers were required to learn Japanese in night classes.
The Japanese brought in a new currency popularly known by the locals as 'duit pisang'(banana money).The paper notes ranged from one cent to $1,000.By 1943,these notes became almost worthless.
Towards the end of the war,the former benevolent Japanese Governor was replaced .The Japanese became increasingly paranoid and life for many Bruneians became harder.Stocks of everything from food to medicine ran out.They suffered from malnutrition and endemic diseases.
From 1943.The Allied Forces attacked many ships and trade was at a standstill.The Japanese turned Brunei Bay and Labuan as a naval base.However it was useless.
On 10th June 1945,the Australians landed at Muara under 'Operation Oboe' to recature Brunei.They were supported by American air and naval units.Brunei town was captured in three days after heavy bombing campaign by the Allied Forces which virtually destroyed and flattened the city including the Mosque.The only thing left standing was a Chinese Temple,then located at the river front wharf.
The British Military Administration took over from the Japanes and stayed on until July 1946.
Even though there was no plan to defend the country,there was a contingency plan to deny the Seria oilfields t the Japanese.For that the British did use that tiny detachment of the Punjab Regiment in order to supervise the so called denial measures.Such as,filling in of alll the oil welllsseptamber 1941.The Japanese concluded an agreement with Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin regarding the administration of Brunei.Inche Ibrahim who was the Secretary to the british Resident before the war,was appointed as the cheif Administrative Officer or Secretary acting under Japanese Governor
Pehin Ibrahim managed to protect a number of important state documents related to land titles.In his book 'Brunei Days',TS Monks,describe how Pehin Ibrahim managed to hide the important documents as well as convinced the Japanese of the need to have records of the past.
Japanese reorganized Brunei's administration.Brunei became one of five Japanese Prefectures in the former British Borneo or Kslimantan Utara.The Brunei Prefectures in the former included Baram,Labuan,Lawas and Limbang which were all former Brunei territories.This was the only time during modern times that all these territories were combined to form one Brunei.
Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin retained his throne during the War and was bestowed with a pension and Japanese honours.He had very little to do with the Japanese during the occupation and he together with the Royal family left Brunei to stay at temporary palace at Tantuya in Limbang
Most of the Malay government officers stayed put at their posts.They retained their salriesPehin Ibrahim tried to provide as best an effective government machinery as they could.
The Japanese tried to bring back into operation both the Seria and Miri Oilfields.Finally they did managed to bring 16 wells in these two areas and by the time of the surrender,they had brought output back to half pre-War productions.In Muara they also tried to bring back coal productions but these were fairly unsuccessful.
Dr Reece in is book,described the efforts done by the Japanese.These included creating community councils and women's organization(Kaum Ibu).A number of Bruneians were trained in Japan.
The Japanese tried tried to stir up anti-European sentimens.In schools,Japanese was taught to students as well as Government officers were required to learn Japanese in night classes.
The Japanese brought in a new currency popularly known by the locals as 'duit pisang'(banana money).The paper notes ranged from one cent to $1,000.By 1943,these notes became almost worthless.
Towards the end of the war,the former benevolent Japanese Governor was replaced .The Japanese became increasingly paranoid and life for many Bruneians became harder.Stocks of everything from food to medicine ran out.They suffered from malnutrition and endemic diseases.
From 1943.The Allied Forces attacked many ships and trade was at a standstill.The Japanese turned Brunei Bay and Labuan as a naval base.However it was useless.
On 10th June 1945,the Australians landed at Muara under 'Operation Oboe' to recature Brunei.They were supported by American air and naval units.Brunei town was captured in three days after heavy bombing campaign by the Allied Forces which virtually destroyed and flattened the city including the Mosque.The only thing left standing was a Chinese Temple,then located at the river front wharf.
The British Military Administration took over from the Japanes and stayed on until July 1946.
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