LIM BO SENG - MY HERO, MY FRIEND Mr Tan Chong Tee saw the Japanese torture famous war-time local hero Lim Bo Seng, to death. This was a most painful memory, as Mr Lim was not only Mr Tan's leader, but also a friend. Mr Tan Chong Tee (left) with his leader and friend, Mr Lim Bo Seng It was Mr Lim who recruited Mr Tan into Force 136 in Chungking. Before Mr Tan left for his mission in Malaya, Mr Lim even bought him an expensive art kit as a gift to show his appreciation for Mr Tan’s work. Mr Lim was betrayed and captured, a day after Mr Tan himself was caught by the Japanese. From his cell in the basement of the Japanese counter-espionage headquarters, Mr Tan could hear Mr Lim being interrogated. Mr Tan could recognise Mr Lim’s voice saying, "Since I’m in your hands now, I have nothing to say. I’m prepared to die." Mr Tan recalled, "The Japanese tried to force Lim Bo Seng to cooperate with them but he refused. They even got his friends in Singapore to come over to persuade him, but he was not moved. "Instead he reminded the rest of us to remain firm and not to surrender to the Japanese." Click to hear Mr Tan Chong Tee (in Mandarin) Mr Tan, Mr Lim and a few other anti-Japanese captives were later locked up in a prison. Mr Lim protested against the ill-treatment of prisoners-of-war by refusing food. He asked the warders to distribute his portion of sweet potatoes to the rest of his comrades. "Even when his life was hanging by a thread, Bo Seng still showed so much concern for his comrades. I was deeply touched by his noble character and kept pleading with him to eat. Bo Seng’s selflessness moved the warders, too." Mr Lim was later struck by dysentery, but he was refused medical treatment. A few days later, Mr Lim was bundled up in an old blanket and left without food or water in an empty room meant for dying prisoners. For the next three nights, Mr Lim continued to struggle for his life. He finally died in the early morning of June 29, 1944. Mr Lim Bo Seng's funeral. Mr Tan Chong Tee was the first person to inform Mr Lim's wife that her husband had died. After the war, Mr Tan was the first person to inform Mrs Lim of her husband’s death. He also applied for compensation from the British and Chinese government on behalf of Mr Lim’s family. Mr Tan still keeps in touch with Mr Lim’s family, including his son, Mr Lim Lian Yock. He will never forget Mr Lim’s loyalty and bravery. "I am very touched by what Mr Lim Bo Seng had done. He loved Singapore and Malaya with all his heart, and was even willing to lay down his life to win back his country. He is indeed a great man, a national hero." Click to hear Mr Tan Chong Tee (in Mandarin) Next: What was Force 136? Chee Beng's start page Copyright © 1998 Singapore Press Holdings. All Rights Reserved.