SYBIL KATHIGASU

Who is Sybil Kathigasu? 

• About her birth and ancestry, Sybil records that she was born in Medan.
• Eurasian Catholic who is fluent in Chinese.
• She is also known as "freedom fighter in Malaya".
• In the book , No Dram Of Mercy" (2006) , a memoir of Sybil's memoir,the authors gave an account of a woman (Sybil Kathigasu) a great courage, who should be regarded as a beacon and role model to all Malaysians.

What about " No Dram Of Mercy"?

"No Dram of Mercy" describe what the Japanese did in Malaya and how the Kathigasu familly and other Malayans endured and responded.

• On 1 August 1942, a nurse,Sybil Kathigasu,43 was arrested in Perak by the Japanese occupiers.
• Sybil Kathigasu also known as Mrs k or Missy.
• Over the 3 years of detention, the Japanese imperialist treated them brutally. They were subjected to humiliation,isolation,cold,disease ridden place,insects and starvation.
• Physically tortured by beatings, slapping,exposure to the sun and also burning.

What about the book title "No Dram Of Mercy"?

In this book,it tells that a title derived from a few lines in Shakespeare's The Merchant Of Venice.

"Great Saint Anthony,please intercede for me with the infant Jesus give to me the strength and courage to bear bravely what God's holy will has ordained for me. Let me face the death,if I must,in the spirit of Holy Martyrs.But if I am spread to write a book about what I have undergone, I promise that the proceeds from the book sale shall go to building a church in your name,in Ipoh, and if there any over when the church is completed,to the relief of the poor and suffering,whatever their race or religion. Please help me, Saint Anthony..." 

(Kathigasu,Sybil,No Dram Of Mercy.Kuala Lumpur: Prometheus,2006;page 162).

Why "No Dram of Mercy" controversial debut said it was an autobioghraphy? 

• I think it is more helpful to describe it as a personal account of her life 3 years of Japanese occupation of Malaya, narrated by a woman who expended her life on behalf of others.
• .I say this because I had to look beyond the book for personal information about the Kathigasu's family.

Read more at: 

SYBIL KATHIGASU: We know little of local heroes - Letters to the Editor - New Straits Timeshttp://www.nst.com.my/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/sybil-kathigasu-we-know-little-of-local-heroes-1.316934#ixzz2xJsIuwya