SANDAKAN: The Sandakan Day Memorial will continue to serve as a bridge for understanding, friendship and trust between Sabah, Australia, and Britain, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
Speaking at the memorial held at the Sandakan Memorial Park today, Hajiji assured that this legacy would be preserved and passed on to future generations.
Sandakan MP Vivian Wong noted that this year marked the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, yet for many families from Australia, the United Kingdom, and beyond, the memories of loved ones lost in Sandakan remained vivid.
He said the gathering was more than remembrance, describing Sandakan as a place where the human spirit shone amid adversity and where bonds were forged between Allied soldiers and local Sabahans.
Hajiji reflected on the Sandakan Death Marches and prisoner-of-war camps, saying their history was remembered not only for the suffering but also for moments of shared humanity and hope.
He paid tribute to the quiet heroes among local Sabahans who risked or gave their lives to shelter and assist Allied soldiers, saying their bravery endures in stories passed down through generations.
The ceremony was attended by British High Commissioner to Malaysia Ajay Sharma, New Zealand High Commissioner to Malaysia Michael Wehi Mailetonga Walsh, senior officials from the Australian High Commission and the United States Embassy, as well as state and local authorities.
