Shaharom (right) and Nor Hisham honouring the fallen with a salute after placing a wreath on the memorial stone at SMK Kampar. – RONNIE CHIN/The Star
A MEMORIAL stone has been installed at SMK Kampar to commemorate those who lost their lives during the Japanese invasion of Malaya in World War II.
Malayan Historical Group Association (MHG) chairman Shaharom Ahmad said the memorial placed at a special site was a collaboration with the school and Perak Heritage Association.
Shaharom said the memorial was dedicated on Dec 31, 2022, to mark the anniversary of the Battle of Kampar which took place from Dec 30, 1941 to Jan 2, 1942.
“The school was chosen because it was one of the locations that was impacted during the war,” he said.
He added that Kampar had a lot of history and those interested could visit the site and visitors just need to get permission from the school guards.
In October last year, MHG relocated the Battle of Kampar information signboard at Green Ridge near Jalan Ipoh-Kampar to the school.
The signboard contains a map and other information relating to the Battle of Kampar, where some 1,500 British troops that included Indian, Sikh and Gurkha soldiers put up a valiant fight against 4,000 Japanese soldiers.
Green Ridge is the site where 150 British soldiers and 500 Japanese soldiers were killed and buried.
Shaharom said MHG had installed information signboards at seven WWII locations in Perak.
These locations include the Iskandar Bridge in Kuala Kangsar, Kuala Dipang Bridge in Kampar, Trolak and also Slim River.
“According to our WWII Trail, there are 16 locations.
“We have plans to install more signboards depending on time and budget,” he added.
Meanwhile, Perak Heritage Association secretary Nor Hisham Zulkiflee, who is also a teacher at SMK Kampar, said the historical site was part of its out-of-classroom learning.
“Now, we have this site as well as information and the memorial stone.
“We hope to instil some interest among students about our history,” he said.
