MY name is Papparaidu Veraman and I represent the Malaysian Indian Voice. I am writing this letter to inquire about the Death Railway blood money, believed to be about RM207 billion, paid by the Japanese government to the Malaysian government, in the 1990s.  

On January 7, 2013, the Japanese embassy in Kuala Lumpur clarified a report by Harakahdaily quoting Bukit Gantang MP Nizar Jamaluddin, who heads Jejak, a secretariat formed to investigate the claim that the compensation paid by Tokyo to the Malaysian government for the victims of the railway project had not reached them.

Dr Mahathir Mohamad must reveal the sum of the money as he was close to the Japanese government  when he promoted his Look East Policy aimed at enhancing trade with Japan. This money was meant to be distributed to some 30,000 Malaysians who were forced by the Japanese army to build the Thai-Burma rail link. We had thought Dr Mahathir would bring the money back from Japan in triumph and passed it on to the victims’ families but it was all covered in secrecy. Until now, we don’t have the foggiest idea of what has happened to the cash.

It is exceptionally clear that some unreliable and ravenous authorities have seized that cash for themselves. Therefore, we need to ensure justice for the families of the victims. We must have answers to the following questions:

1. What was the actual deal between the Japanese and Malaysian governments?

2. What was the exact amount that was paid by the Japanese government to the Malaysian government?

3. When and where did the transaction take place?

4. Who was involved in the deal; for instance, who signed the deal?

5. To whom was the money transferred and into which account precisely?

This will help us to trace the cash and how the Malaysian government spent it as it was clearly not given to the victims’ families. 

We would really appreciate it if the Japanese government can do further justice to the 30,000 Malaysian forced labourers who died working on the “Death Railway” by revealing their identities so that their families can be found to clarify whether they have received the cash or anyone has contacted them regarding this issue.

We humbly request the Japanese government to aid us by providing the details of the Death Railway money and the identities of the victims.

Please do not hesitate to email me at [email protected]  or call me +6012-379 5096.

We look forward to hearing from you. – July 17, 2021.

* Papparaidu Veraman is Malaysian Indian Voice chairman.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.