Varnam Malaysia
  • Home
  • News
  • Celebrity
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Music
  • Trailers
  • Culture
No Result
View All Result
Varnam Malaysia
  • Home
  • News
  • Celebrity
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Music
  • Trailers
  • Culture
No Result
View All Result
Varnam Malaysia
No Result
View All Result
Home Community

The Death Railway: Thrilling Tales Of Malayan Indians, Lest We Forget

by Revathi Durai
October 21, 2020
106
SHARES
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSend

While a significant number of Malaya’s Tamil workers were forcefully recruited from rubber estates, some Tamil workers went voluntarily from deprived rubber estates, drawn by the prospect of high salaries, thinking that it would only be a short-term attempt. Some brought along their families too.

The construction of “The Death Railway” or “The Railway of Death” started in June 1942 right up till October 1943. An estimation of 75,000 Indian labourers were brought to work on the 415 km Japanese Siam-Burma railway. However, the exact amount of people who died during the railway construction remain unknown. 

Why was it called “The Railway of Death”?

At the beginning of the construction nearly 45,000 workers had perished during its completion in Siam, and it later came to be known as the “The Railway of Death”. Their families in Malaya have been left without any compensation nor funds from any parties. Workers from Malaya were transported via open railway waggons to the railway site, intended to move rocks or ballast. They were lined with railway sleepers and were told to sit on the tracks by the railway staff.

The Japanese recruited Malayan Tamils to work on railway construction from plantations,  including war prisoners, romusha (Javanese workers), Burmese, Thai workers and even Malays, mainly from the state of Kelantan and Terengganu. Some were misled into taking up the job on empty promises of high-pay offers while others were coerced into it.

First railway track in Malaya

The township of Muar in Johor became the first district to have its own train service, when a 16 km railway line from Jalan Sulaiman in the town centre to the coastal settlement of Parit Jawa was finished in 1880, which is equivalent to 137 years. In 1997, the New Straits Times reported that students from Bandar Maharani English School had used the railway to travel to and from their homes to the school. 

What does the “Death Railway Interest Group (DRIG)” represent?

The Death Railway Interest Group (DRIG) has been trying to gather documentary footage of survivors so that the current generation and generations to come would know more about those who perished and at the same time survived the Death Railway construction during the Japanese occupation. So far, the group has successfully created public awareness by organising forums, among them include the anniversary of the completion of the railway. Through the forums, survivors were invited to share their poignant memories to the public.

Purpose of the “Tamil Immigration Fund”?

In 1907, the British government founded the Tamil Immigration Fund to resolve labour shortages in Malaya, especially in plantations, which was later replaced by the South Indian Labour Fund. The establishment of this fund marked the beginning of 31 years of assisted migration from India to Malaya and was managed by the Immigration Committee as a legislative body. The aim was to hire Indian workers in phases and handle their well-being in Malaya.

Years down the road, no one truly knows about what these Indian labourers had gone thorough. The use of Indian railway workers had reported a drop in the Indian population from 744,202 in 1941 to 599,616 in 1947, more than 19 percent of the population. The suffering was exacerbated by the fact that Malayan Indians had also suffered during the British Colonial period, however it seems to have faded from one’s memory. 

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news. 

Filed Under British Colonial periodDeath RailwayDeath Railway interest groupMalaysian IndiansTamil immigration fund
https://lomp.at/ar46e
Share74Tweet14Send

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

Community

PMO, MITRA Ensure Transparent Delivery of RMK13 Initiatives for Indian Community

by Shivashangkari Chandran
August 1, 2025

The 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13) sets in motion a comprehensive framework to elevate the socioeconomic standing of the Indian community,...

Read more
Image source: SJKT Bandar Springhill Facebook
Community

Divyadarshine and Haritha Shine at Port Dickson District Malay Storytelling & Public Speaking Competition

Tamil school students continue to push boundaries, excelling not only in academics but also shining in sports, creative talents, innovations,...

Read more
by Tivyasruthi Nair Prem Ananth
August 1, 2025
Image Source: Focus Malaysia
Community

MITRA Rolls Out Three Key PPSMI Programmes Worth RM21.25 Million to Uplift Indian Community

The Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (MITRA) has launched three major programmes under the Socioeconomic Development Programme for the Indian Community...

Read more
by Shivashangkari Chandran
July 31, 2025
Image source: Free Malaysia Today
Community

Malaysian Photographer Tinesh Sritharan Named National Geographic Explorer to Document the Great Migration

Malaysian photographer Tinesh Sritharan has been named a National Geographic Explorer for his latest wildlife conservation project in Kenya’s famed...

Read more
by Tivyasruthi Nair Prem Ananth
July 31, 2025
Community

Dr. Kamalan Jeevaratnam: Pioneering Cross-Disciplinary Advances in Cardiology and Global Research Collaboration

Dr. Kamalan Jeevaratnam is a Professor of Clinical Physiology and currently serves as the Dean of Veterinary Medicine at the...

Read more
by Tivyasruthi Nair Prem Ananth
July 29, 2025
Community

3rd International INVENTX Creative Exhibition 2025 Reinforces the Role of NTROs in Academic Discourse and Practice

The Faculty of Creative Multimedia (FCM) at Multimedia University (MMU) has officially unveiled the 3rd International INVENTX Creative Exhibition 2025,...

Read more
by Tivyasruthi Nair Prem Ananth
July 29, 2025
Image source: Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP)
Community

Vanakam MADANI Empowers Indian Entrepreneurs in Penang with Strategic Support and Funding

In a strong demonstration of the MADANI Government’s dedication to inclusive and equitable progress, Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur Development and...

Read more
by Tivyasruthi Nair Prem Ananth
July 28, 2025
Image source: Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP)
Community

Tatchanai Teacher Programme Empowers Over 800 Indian STPM Students

Since its inception seven years ago, the Tatchanai Teacher Programme has successfully guided over 800 Indian students through the Malaysian...

Read more
by Tivyasruthi Nair Prem Ananth
July 27, 2025
Image Source: WeirdKaya
Community

Meet Sophia Zara: Malaysia’s Youngest Female Racer Steering Towards F1 Stardom

At just 15 years old, Sophia Zara isn’t your average teenager. While most are navigating school life and weekend plans,...

Read more
by Shivashangkari Chandran
July 27, 2025
Image Source: Chow Kon Yeow Facebook
Community

Penang Allocates Over RM30 Million to Boost Tamil Schools and Punjabi Education Centres

In a strong demonstration of support for vernacular education, the Penang state government has allocated over RM30 million to Tamil...

Read more
by Shivashangkari Chandran
July 26, 2025
Load More

TRENDING

  1. 1

    Astro Premieres ‘Aadhira’ on 14 July: A New Drama about Strength and Courage

  2. 2

    Chronology of Tishant’s Tragic Case: How a Missing Person Case Became a Murder Probe

  3. 3

    Dr. Kamalan Jeevaratnam: Pioneering Cross-Disciplinary Advances in Cardiology and Global Research Collaboration

  4. 4

    The Four Malaysian Indians Who Made Forbes Malaysia’s 50 Richest 2020

  5. 5

    What Are The Hidden Truths Behind The AADI Month Beliefs?

  • Advertising
  • Jobs
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy

© 2025 Vijandren Ramadass. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Celebrity
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Music
  • Trailers
  • Culture

© 2025 Vijandren Ramadass. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Celebrity
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Music
  • Trailers
  • Culture

© 2025 Vijandren Ramadass. All Rights Reserved.