“The Overseas Chinese Association, Syonan. To Yokohama Specie Bank, Limited. Document of Lien”

During the Second World War, the Japanese forced Lim Boon Keng to lead the Overseas Chinese Association, an occupying organisation meant to control the local Chinese. Lim and other prominent Chinese leaders were ordered to raise $50 million for Japan’s war effort.

Only $28 million could be found and the businessmen were forced to borrow the remainder. The document of extortion was signed by eleven Singaporean businessmen. The first signature is that of Lim Boon Keng.