By William Isau
KANOWIT, July 31: Kanowit MP Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang led a group of well-wishers including army veterans at an event to mark this year’s Warriors’ Day at the warriors’ monument here today.
Speaking at the ceremony during where they laid flowers at the monument, Aaron said the day was observed annually on July 31 but they had to postpone it for two years due to the pandemic.
“We could not do so during the two-year Covid-19 pandemic. Before that I used to be here observing the proceedings with the others to recognise the sacrifices of our fallen warriors who had fought against the communists during the 1970s insurgency,” he said.
He added that the warriors’ monument in Kanowit is the second one in the state after the one in Kuching which is also a place where Warriors’ Day observations are held.
“Our military was formed in 1931 before the Second War World from 1941-45. Our forces had fought during the communist emergency. We have been observing Warriors’ Day since July 31, 1960,” he said.
Aaron noted that marking the occasion gives due recognition to the soldiers who together with the police were frontliners helping efforts led by the health authority to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus during the pandemic.
The Kanowit warriors’ monument was built in October 2016 by former Machan assemblyman, Datuk Gramong Juna, to honour the fallen warriors who were killed by the communists. Those who lost their lives include included Emba Garing, Numbu Kele, Lat Gangga, Pantau Baro, Kanchin Ligan, Gelau Sumor, Senang Bajai, Skudan Dampak, Jantom Jalong, Jantom Narok, Brayin Balit and Luyoh Jaul who were all Border Scouts.
Others who sacrificed their lives were First Malaysia Rangers, who died in Kanowit and Song, namely, Lenggu China, Umok Ngumbang, Fabian Engkayau Tindin, Mathew Medan and Henry Ubong and the sole Chinese police corporal of the Kanowit Special Branch, Kong Siew Long who was killed by the communists while on duty in Lukut in 1971. — DayakDaily
