Teapot from 'Japanese occupation'
Published on: Saturday, October 20, 2018
Kunak: A big teapot believed used during the Japanese invasion of Borneo is still kept by an antique collector here. Arsad, a retiree who previously worked at plantations in Tawau, Lahad Datu and here, said the teapot was found by a worker at a river in Kalabakan area in Tawau long time ago during land clearing activity for agriculture purpose. "I myself believe this teapot has a historical value and that's why I keep it. I like to keep antique stuff," he said, adding the greenish teapot, which can hold two to three litres of water, was found without its handle. ADVERTISEMENT He said his friend who gave him the teapot actually also found a Japanese Samurai sword at the bottom of the river at the same time they found the teapot. Beside the teapot, Arsad said he also keep other antique items including a carving of what looks like a Sabah map (Borneo) without any writing on it which was found at Lormalong River tributary near here, and pottery. Arsad said Kunak (previously known as Mostyn) has a lot of historic materials relating to the Second World War including gold debris believed discovered by the British after the Japanese left Borneo.The local tourism agency can actually propose Kunak as a destination, he said, adding there should a mini museum built in Kunak for keeping old historic items and make it easy for the public and tourists to view them. ADVERTISEMENT Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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"It will attract more tourists to Kunak if there is a mini museum here, like the Bukit Tengkorak Museum in Semporna.We in Kunak have attractions and unique pre-historic items," he said. - Ibrahim Tabir