KUCHING: A new monument has been unveiled at Pending Point here, commemorating Sarawak's liberation from Japanese occupation during World War II 80 years ago.
The stone and steel monument was put up by the Kuching South City Council at the site where Brigadier-General Thomas Eastick accepted the surrender of Japanese General Hiyoe Yamamura aboard the Australian naval vessel HMAS Kapunda on Sept 11, 1945.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said the surrender ended three and a half years of hardship under occupation and opened the door to Sarawak's rebuilding.
He said the monument was a fitting reminder of the sacrifices of the Allied Forces who fought on Sarawak's soil, local Sarawakian heroes who resisted the occupation and civilians who endured suffering during the war years.
"This monument is our promise that their courage will never be forgotten. As we unveil this monument, let it stand as a tribute to the bravery of soldiers, the resilience of Sarawakians and the enduring spirit of freedom," he said at the unveiling ceremony on Thursday (Sept 11).
Dr Sim said peace, freedom and security could not be taken for granted but must be defended, nurtured and passed on to future generations.
"The younger generation must understand that the opportunities they enjoy today were paid for with sacrifice and courage," he said.
He added that the monument not only preserved history but created a heritage site to educate future generations and honour those who served and suffered in the war.
Additionally, it would contribute to tourism and the local economy by turning history into a source of learning and growth, he said.
Kuching South mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng said the monument was part of the council's efforts to preserve heritage and remembrance of past courage and sacrifice.
He said the council also planned to restore the Padungan Clock Tower to its original role as a World War II memorial.
"We will weave a Heritage War Trail from Batu Lintang to Padungan and onwards to Pending, so that every step tells a story and every path honours sacrifice," he added.
Australian Deputy High Commissioner to Malaysia Simon Fellows said the role of the 9th Australian Division in liberating Borneo from Japanese occupation was a significant part of the shared history between Australia and Malaysia.
In particular, he said the 9th Australian Division's Kuching Force had liberated Kuching in September 1945, securing the area and liberating prisoners of war and civilian internees at the Batu Lintang camp.
"Their actions in liberating the camp and preventing a planned massacre there remains a significant and heroic episode in the division's history," he said.
The monument unveiling was the first of several events to mark the 80th anniversary of Sarawak's liberation.
It was followed by a reenactment of the surrender aboard Australian patrol boat HMAS Cape Schanck at Sim Kheng Hong Wharf and a commemoration ceremony at the Batu Lintang war memorial square.
