MIRI – The Sarawak government intends to build a centralised memorial in the future that will honour all war heroes as well as victims of the military and colonial aggressions during World War II and the Japanese occupation of the state.
Speaking to The Vibes, state Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Deputy Minister Sebastian Ting said the ministry is currently in the process of unearthing historical evidence at various locations to identify these heroes and subsequently honour them.
“There are many victims throughout this state – made up of Sarawakian freedom fighters, foreign soldiers, civil service personnel as well as missionaries and community folks – who had sacrificed their lives in trying to defend Sarawak and fought for freedom of the state in the past.”
Upon the completion of the planned memorial, Ting said the state government will organise a commemorative day on July 22 annually, in conjunction with Sarawak Independence Day to remember these figures.
Ting, who is also Piasau assemblyman, said the central memorial will act as a focal point for visitors to pay their last respects in addition to isolated sites where heroes and victims had perished and had their remains buried.
“We have major existing memorial sites such as the ones located at the Ba’kelalan highlands, Miri and Kuching.
“There are also possibly many more sites where other possible heroes have perished while defending Sarawak or fighting for the state’s freedom during the world war and from colonial occupation.
“As such, the ministry is trying to unearth as much of this historical evidence throughout Sarawak.
“To aid our efforts, we are presently working with the local communities and local history researchers.
“In addition to setting up the centralised memorial to honour all of these heroes, we will also aim to maintain local memorial sites scattered throughout the state,” he said.
Last Thursday, Ting unveiled a memorial plaque at the World War II memorial square at the Batu Lintang Teachers Education Institute, here.
The memorial plaque was made as a tribute to the memory of the Long Nawang victims, who were massacred by the invading Japanese at the Kalimantan-Sarawak border.
The victims from Long Nawang comprised British civil servants, service personnel as well as Sarawakians who were forced to flee to Long Nawang outpost during the Japanese army’s attack in 1942.
The Japanese forces had executed over one hundred of them, starting with the male hostages followed by the women and children over the course of several days.
“These heroes gave up their lives for Sarawak and we remember their great sacrifices and we honour them,” he said.
Ting also thanked all researchers, historians and community groups involved for working tirelessly to identify, record and verify all the state’s historical events.
Answering a question on possible locations for the proposed memorial, Ting said the ministry has yet to finalise an exact spot for their plans.
“The most important thing now is to gather as much evidence as possible of these heroic acts as well as the names of all these heroes who laid down their lives for Sarawak,” he added. – The Vibes, July 24, 2022
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