Kedah says sorry over Jap monument

KUALA LUMPUR: The Kedah government apologised for what it said was a technical mistake of the use of the word wira (heroes) on a signboard of a recently-opened monument to three Japanese soldiers in the compound of the Kedah State Museum.

State Youth and Sports, Tourism, Arts and Culture, and Entrepreneurship Development Committee Chairman Mohd Asmirul Anuar Aris said he also apologised on behalf of the Kedah branch of the Malaysian Historical Society and Kedah Museums Board, says the Star.

He said the mistake occurred when the company that prepared the signboard and banner for the opening of the monument translated the information provided by the Consulate of Japan.

The monument was built in 1941, before the end of World War II, and it was rehabilitated recently to preserve the historical artifact, he said.

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Mohd Asmirul said that for the Japanese, their soldiers who were killed in the war are heroes but “for us they are regarded as colonialists”.

A viral message of the opening of the monument elicited criticism and the signboard was taken down.

NGO, Pertubuhan Sahabat Erat dan Amanat Rakyat Malaysia (Sedar Malaysia), called for the monument to be torn down to safeguard the sensitivities of Malaysians.

These three Japanese soldiers were killed when they tried to blow up Alor Setar Bridge to cut off Allied forces during World War II.

On whether the state government would demolish the new monument, Mohd Asmirul said the state regarded it as a historical site and would preserve it.

Prior to the new monument being erected, there used to be square rocks at the site, covered in overgrowth, which locals called kubur Jepun (Japanese graves).

About 10 years ago, it was learned the remains of the Japanese soldiers were exhumed and taken back to Japan.

MCA Youth put up banners describing the atrocities of the Imperial Japanese Army of WWII.

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Kedah MCA Youth, in a statement, urged the state to demolish the new monument and create a new one to remember those who fought the Japanese.

The party had put up the banners on the monument as a reminder of how much suffering took place during the Japanese Occupation.

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