Revisiting the Death Railway: The Survivors' Accounts

The death toll was incredibly high, estimated to be in the tens of thousands. Even so, there has been little acknowledgment given to the Asians, especially those from Malaya, although they formed a great proportion of the workforce. Many died as a result of strenuous labor, malnutrition, and ill-treatment by the Japanese, as the author reminds us of the survivors’ narration of these disturbing facts. He has also been able to capture their plight through first-hand accounts gathered from interviews. The author’s work is, in this regard, a tribute to their painful sacrifice and a remembrance of their tragic past. Readers would be moved by the stories contained in this work.

The author’s emotional connection to the subject is visible throughout the book. The reason is that the author was old enough to witness the coming of the Japanese to the country and the subsequent forcible labor conscription. He also witnessed his own father being recruited for the Death Railway construction and the saddening condition of his father upon his return to the country. All these have made it not merely task but also a responsibility on his part to call attention to the horrific episode of the railway construction and unspeakable torture the survivors suffered.