Discover the remarkable story of Sybil Kathigasu, a young Catholic nurse who courageously resisted the Japanese occupation in Malaya during
the Second World War. Born in the Dutch East Indies in 1899, Sybil Kathigasu became one of the most inspiring figures of the Malaysian
resistance. Operating from her home in Perak, she secretly provided medical care and support to resistance fighters despite the immense
risks. Arrested and brutally tortured by the Japanese military, she never betrayed her comrades. The injuries she sustained ultimately led
to her death in 1948.
For her exceptional courage, she was awarded the George Medal by the King of England, becoming the first woman in Malaya to receive the
honour and earning her place as one of Malaysia's national heroines.
This lecture offers a unique opportunity to discover this remarkable yet little-known chapter of Malaysian history through the
presentation of the newly translated French edition of her memoir.
A book signing session will follow the conference, and copies of the book will be available for purchase on-site.
By Sybil Kathigasu
Published by Fayard Histoire
Malaysia, 1941. As Japanese bombs fall across the region, Sybil Kathigasu's peaceful life is shattered. A nurse-midwife, wife, and mother, she chooses not safety but resistance.
From her home in the mining town of Papan, nestled at the foot of the Perak hills, she transforms her clinic into a refuge for resistance fighters. Amid arrests, famine, violence, and executions, she displays extraordinary courage, unwavering faith, and profound humanity.
Captured and subjected to severe torture, Sybil refuses to betray those she helped, remaining steadfast until liberation.
This powerful memoir is a moving testament to courage, resilience, and hope, honouring one of the most remarkable figures of the Malaysian resistance during the Japanese occupation.
A professor at the National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations (INALCO) in Paris and a specialist in contemporary Malaysia, Elsa Lafaye de Micheaux led the scholarly translation of Sybil Kathigasu's memoir into French. During the conference, she will present this little-known chapter of Malaysian history and discuss the historical significance of Sybil Kathigasu's life and legacy.
After teaching history and geography for over twenty years, Sophie Foucher-Maillard now serves as an assistant principal at a secondary school in the Maine-et-Loire region of France. Her presentation will explore how the Japanese occupation of Southeast Asia is addressed in the teaching of history in France.
