EXACTLY 67 years after her death on June 12, 1948, Malayan war heroine Sybil Kathigasu was honoured during the annual Remembrance Day at the Ipoh Cenotaph.
Present to lay a wreath for the gallant nurse, who fought the Japanese by helping Malayan guerrillas, was her grandniece Elaine Daly.
Daly, who portrayed her paternal grandaunt in the mini series “Sybil...Apa Dosaku?” three years ago, said it was an honour and privilege to be invited to the memorial service.
“Sybil Kathigasu was a remarkable lady who sacrificed herself in the fight against the Japanese and treated the people of the hills.
“She was severely tortured and yet, never gave up.
“Unfortunately, there is only a small part about her in our history books and I think more must be done to create awareness,” said Daly.
During the Japanese invasion, Sybil and her husband, Dr AC Kathigasu moved from Ipoh to the small town of Papan.
There, Sybil secretly kept shortwave radio sets and listened to BBC broadcasts as well as treated anti-Japanese resistance forces, and supplied them with medicine and information.
In 1943, Sybil, along with her husband and their then seven-year-old daughter Dawn, were arrested and despite being interrogated and tortured, she never revealed the names of those in the Malayan People’s Anti-Japanese Army (MPAJA).
After Malaya was liberated from the Japanese in August 1945, Sybil was flown to Britain for medical treatment.
She underwent 10 surgeries but eventually died from acute septicaemia due to a fractured jaw in 1948, several months after receiving the George Medal from King George VI.
Wira Association Malaysia president Datuk R. Thambipillay, who has been organising the memorial service for the past 11 years, said Sybil, the first Malaysian woman awarded the George Medal, must be remembered.
“Her bravery and defiantly refusing to disclose names of anti-Japanese despite severe violent torture by the Japanese Kempitai is known worldwide.
“But today, little is said about her here,” he said.
Thambipillay said the memorial service was an appreciation of the sacrifices made by those who gave their lives for the nation during World War I and World War II.
“It also brings to mind the thousands of prisoners of war and those forced to work on the infamous Burma Death Railway from 1941 to 1943, which hardly anyone speaks of now,” he added.
Among others who laid wreaths during the memorial service was state executive councillor Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon, who represented Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.
Dr Mah said it was important to remind people of the sufferings of those who fought for peace and also war victims.
“While enjoying peace, let’s not forget the sacrifices of the heroes and the fallen.
“Remembrance Day is not just a ritual, it should serve as a reminder that mankind is one and that we need to preserve peace,” he said.
British High Commissioner to Malaysia Vicki Treadell, who was also present, said countering extremism in modern days was the same cause as wars in the past.
“When we talk about remembrance, it’s about courage people show to counter extremism.
“We must be brave enough to reject extremism,” she said.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Unlimited access with perks.
