Unusual British legacy in Labuan
Published on: Tuesday, February 04, 2020
By: Sohan Das
LABUAN: Incongruously situated along the meandering path of the verdant and scenic Botanical Garden is an “odd piece” that never fails to arouse the interest of first-time joggers in the garden.
It is a grave, probably the only of its kind in the country. The grave measuring 3ft by 2.5ft has a tombstone that reads: “Jim… Foxhound … 20th June 1908.”
ADVERTISEMENT
The dog described as a foxhound is an unknown breed in this part could have been imported as a pet dog of an Englishman who had business connections with the Labuan coal mining industry (1947-1911).
The burial date of the dog is within this period. Giving credence to the story is the fact that foxhound is commonly used by British for their fox hunting sports back home.
During the operations of the coal mining industry there was a sizeable presence of British personnel on the island. According to tales one of them was residing at the botanical garden home where the dog was buried.
The tale continues by stating that the owner usually took his pet for walks and on an occasion he slipped into a nearby pool and appeared drowning. The dog kept barking incessantly and aroused the attention of the house-keeper and he helped rescue his master. In appreciation of the faithful foxhound, the grave was built as a symbol of his best friend.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Botanical Garden may come about later after the World War II when colonial presence was stronger on the island. A photograph taken in 1952 shows the sprawling bungalow in the garden called the “Government House” and known to locals as “Bumbung 12”.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
ADVERTISEMENT
This early efforts in Labuan results in having the sprawling site of greenery.
