By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, March 27: The Kelabit community has played a part in fighting for Sarawak’s freedom and sovereignty from the Japanese occupation during the Second World War, says Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department Datuk Gerawat Gala
According to a Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS) news report, Gerawat said the Kelabit people are grateful to the members of the Special Z Team for the liberation of Sarawak from the Japanese occupation that started from Bario and coincidentally brought the modern world to the Kelabit community.
He added that exposure to the modern world and Western military warfare has created a new dimension for their society and inspired them to explore beyond their closed world.
“It also opens up new possibilities that the local community never imagined before in their closed world,” he explained.
He said this while speaking at the 79th Anniversary Celebration of “Operasi Semut’ by Special Unit Z at the Bario Monument on March 25.
Gerawat who is also Mulu assemblyman said that after the end of the Second World War, many Kelabits joined the Border Scouts, the army and the police.
“In total, we found a list of more than 300 Kelabit people who have served either in the army, police or border scouts who make up about five per cent of our total Kelabit population who have served in maintaining the security and peace of the country.
“Today (the anniversary) reminds us of the value of freedom, peace and progress. Let us never forget the contribution and sacrifice of previous generations that made Bario and the Kelabit community what it is today,” he said.
Also present were RURUM Kelabit Sarawak President Dato Dr Phillip Raja, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Leo Moggie and his wife Puan Sri Elizabeth Moggie, Pelagus assemblyman Wilson Nyabong Ijang, Commonwealth Defense Force representative Warrant Officer David McNamara, Miri City Council Deputy Mayor Councilor Arifin Mohamad and others. — DayakDaily
