By Aida Aziz
BATU GAJAH: The shop-house building, which was once used as a secret clinic in Papan near here, appears to be deteriorating and in desperate need of restoration.
This building, which is about 100 years old, is significant because it holds treasures and information about a nurse, or more accurately, a heroine from Papan who fought against the Japanese occupation.
In fact, the bravery of a woman named Sybil Medan Kathigasu during World War II is even mentioned in the Form 4 History curriculum.
Additionally, this Eurasian Catholic nurse did not leak secrets to the Kempeitai (Japanese military police), even though she was brutally tortured for nearly two years in Batu Gajah prison.
According to the Secretary of the Perak Heritage Association, Nor Hisham Zulkiflee, this brave woman also provided free medical treatment to the poor.
She even helped the Malayan Anti-Japanese Army (MPAJA), which was collaborating with the British Army when Japan attacked Malaya in December 1941.
“Sybil and her husband, who was also a doctor, moved to the town of Papan and opened a clinic at their home.
“Her husband ran a clinic in Ipoh, while Sybil treated and assisted people, including the MPAJA in Papan.
“When the MPAJA needed help at night, she would signal them through the back door,” he said.
This nurse also owned a radio known as ‘Josephine,’ which was hidden in a hole beneath the stairs.
“She stayed in Papan for 20 months before her activities were discovered, and she was arrested by the Kempeitai in July 1943 until September 1945.
“The Kempeitai used various brutal methods to torture Sybil to extract secrets, including threatening to harm her child.
“As a result of severe injuries, she became paralyzed after the war and sought treatment in London.
“Her story received global recognition, and she was awarded the highest honor by the British royal family.
“Due to her severe injuries, Sybil soon passed away in the United Kingdom, and her body was brought back and buried in Ipoh,” he said.
In 2003, the shop-house was turned into a memorial for Sybil Kathigasu by Law Siak Hong, a member of the Perak Heritage Association.
Many of the medical tools and equipment she used are displayed for visitors here; however, for the past few years, the memorial has been inaccessible to the public.
“The condition of the building is now quite dilapidated as the roof is damaged, which is affecting other parts of the structure.
“If possible, we hope the state government, private sectors, and GLCs will help restore this historic building,” he said.
