The war fallen will never be forgotten, vows Musa
Published on: Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Sandakan: The Sandakan Memorial Park here will remain a place of historical significance as a witness to the horror of war and the Sandakan Death March over 70 years ago.Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said the soldiers or prisoners of war who perished would never be forgotten."This is indeed a special place. It is a place that we, the people of Sabah, consider a privilege to protect. ADVERTISEMENT Together with our Australian colleagues, we will work to ensure that those who visit this memorial park understand what happened here," he said, at the Anzac Day 2017 at the Sandakan Memorial Park, Tuesday. His speech was read by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Raymond Tan.Also present were Deputy High Commissioner of Australia to Malaysia Dr Angela MacDonald, Karamunting Assemblyman Datuk Charles O Pang, Sandakan Municipal Council President Datuk James Wong, District Police Chief ACP Azhar Mohd Hamin, PoW families and veterans."The echoes of those times of terrible tragedies are present in the trees that surround the park, the ground we walk and the air that surrounds us. These echoes tell us of the resilience and bravery of the soldiers imprisoned here.ADVERTISEMENT "It reminds us of the pain felt by the officers who were separated from their men, of the many men forced to undertake the Death March to Ranau, of the bravery of the North Borneo Volunteer Force, the local people and other Sabahans who risked their lives to assist those held captive by the Japane se."It reminds us of the good work undertaken in the worst of conditions. Of the men and women who smuggled food, parts for radios and medicine into the camp, who helped prisoners, acted as contacts for the local guerrillas and assisted those who escaped from this place, all of this will be remembered," he said.
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He said those circumstances only strengthened the relationship between Malaysia and Australia and the reason for the continued friendship since the end of World War II.Their stories, he said, now belong to the current generations and the people will continue to remember in the hope that they will never again witness the horrors of freedom forfeited, forced labour, cruelty of war and unforgettable losses.In LABUAN, more than 30 Australians alongside local leaders attended the Anzac (Australia and New Zealand Army Corps) Day at the Malaysia's largest memorial of Labuan World War II Memorial, here. The Australians who are delegates of the Borneo Exhibition Group Incorporated Perth Western Australia and next-of-kin of ex-servicemen assembled as early as 5am at the memorial park at Membedai for the Anzac Day Dawn Service as commemoration of the 3,908 war heroes from Malaya, Australia, New Zealand, Britain and India.The dawn service was conducted by the founder of Borneo Exhibition Group Incorporated Perth Western Australia, Ryan Rowland.For many people it was their first time attending the dawn service and parade.Labuan Tourism Centre (Tourism Malaysia) Manager Nor Hidayah Mohd Nor said she felt it was her duty to attend the service every year to honor the Anzac spirit."Those with full of patriotism, this event brings back some memories," she said.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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Wreaths to remember the fallen were laid at the Stone of Remembrance. - Mardinah Jikur