Memorial held at former WWII prisoner camp in Batu Lintang, Sarawak

Kuching South mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng laying a wreath at the World War II memorial square to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Batu Lintang prisoner-of-war camp.

KUCHING: On Sept 11,1945, the Batu Lintang prisoner-of-war (POW) camp here was liberated when Japanese forces occupying Sarawak surrendered at the end of World War II.

To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the liberation, the Sarawak Tourism Federation (STF) and Batu Lintang Teachers Institute held a simple ceremony at the World War II memorial square at the institute here on Friday (Sept 11).

STF heritage adviser Datuk Lim Kian Hock said it was a privilege to pay tribute to those who had suffered and died during the Japanese occupation of Sarawak from 1941 to 1945.

He said the POW camp bore silent witness to Sarawak's dark history as well as the courage of the prisoners.

"This site revealed the wartime atrocities and suffering of the people. In their suffering, the POWs demonstrated their courage, human ingenuity and resourcefulness in captivity.

"They maintained a close-knit cohesion and never lost their sense of humanity with their determination to survive," he said.

According to Lim, the prisoners secretly constructed an underground radio nicknamed "Mrs Harris" or "The Old Lady" from wire, tin cans and earphone parts.

They also set up a camp library and organised secret study courses which they called the "Underground University".

"This aimed to keep their minds alert, cultivate awareness of the war and maintain a spirit of self-reliance," he said.

After Japan agreed to surrender unconditionally following the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, the Japanese army in Sarawak signed a surrender document which was received by Australian army commander Bri Gen Thomas Eastick at Pending Point here on Sept 11,1945.

Eastick then proceeded to the Batu Lintang camp to meet the released prisoners, Lim said.

Kuching South mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng, who led those present to lay a wreath at the memorial, said it was important to keep alive the legacy of those who suffered and made sacrifices during the war.

"By participating in promoting historical sites, such as the Batu Lintang POW camp, we are perpetuating their legacy not only in our memories but also to the world.

"It reminds us of the pain and suffering our forefathers had to endure in exchange for peacetime for us to enjoy.

"It thus becomes incumbent upon us to repay their sacrifices by ensuring peace and harmony in Sarawak," he said.