KUALA LUMPUR: Earlier this month, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad visited Nagasaki in Japan to mark the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing.
His visit, from Aug 8 to 11, commenced at the Nagai Takashi Memorial Museum, which pays tribute to Dr Nagai Takashi, a radiologist from Nagasaki Medical College who lost his wife in the tragedy.
"Despite his grief and his own leukaemia caused by radiation, Dr Nagai devoted his remaining years to treating survivors — his life story now standing as a symbol of resilience and humanity," he said in a Facebook post on Saturday (Aug 17).
During the trip, Dr Mahathir delivered a speech and engaged with young participants at the Youth Peace Forum, urging nations to resolve disputes through dialogue instead of war.
He also visited the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Memorial at ground zero and met with two surviving hibakusha (bomb survivors) together with co-chairperson of 2024 Nobel Peace Prize-winning group, Nihon Hidankyō.
“Nagasaki is a living reminder that war brings only destruction.
"The atomic bomb did not just kill hundreds of thousands instantly, but left behind pain and suffering for generations. It is a wound that never truly heals.”
He continued by stressing that peace must be defended as a universal responsibility:
“We must remember that peace is not automatic. It requires effort, patience, and the will to put aside anger and vengeance. Dialogue and understanding are the only true ways forward if we wish to avoid repeating the mistakes of history.
“The people of Nagasaki rebuilt their city from the ashes. Today, it stands as proof that peace opens the path to progress and prosperity. This is the legacy we must safeguard and pass on to the next generation.”
The visit concluded with a meeting with Nagasaki Mayor Shiro Suzuki, where Dr Mahathir reiterated Malaysia’s solidarity in advocating for peace and nuclear disarmament.
