By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, March 27: The dramatic re-enactment of the historic Z Special Unit landing in Bario during World War II took center stage at Padang Merdeka today, vividly bringing to life the shock and bewilderment of the Kelabit people when they first witnessed paratroopers descending from the sky.
Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration & Project Management) and Mulu assemblyman Datuk Gerawat Gala said that during Operation Semut on March 25, 1945, eight Special Air Service commandos from Australia, New Zealand, and Great Britain parachuted into Bario behind enemy lines to gather intelligence and train the locals to fight against the Japanese occupiers.
“They had no idea what to expect as they descended through the thick morning clouds and landed in Bario with a few of them dangling from the trees after their parachute got caught up and entangled in the trees.
“For the people of Bario Lembaa then, they watched with mixed feelings of awe and amazement which quickly turned into fright and panic when they saw human beings dangling from the parachutes. Some of the people thought it was a visitation from heaven,” he said in his appreciation speech during the 80th commemoration of Operation Semut Parachute Landing 1945 held at Padang Merdeka today.
The operation, which aimed to gather intelligence and train the locals to resist the Japanese occupiers, played a crucial role in the war and marked a turning point for the Kelabit community.
In the years that followed, many Kelabits contributed to national security by joining the Border Scouts, army, and police force, with some receiving top military honours.
According to Gerawat, the Kelabit community, through its community association Rurum Kelabit Sarawak, together with the Sarawak Tourism Federation, initiated the first formal commemoration of this historic event in 2013 with the installation of a memorial in honour of the Z Force and local freedom fighters.
Thanks to a RM100,000 grant from the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP), the 80th anniversary of the Z Special Unit landing was successfully organised in Bario on Tuesday (March 25). The event included a re-enactment of the landing by the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), the Malaysian Amateur Parachute Association, and the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba).
The re-enactment in Kuching today was made possible by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, who requested it be held at Padang Merdeka to honour both the Z Force operatives and the Kelabit freedom fighters who fought alongside them.
“We are truly grateful that through this arrangement by our Premier, this local event has now been elevated to State level which was beyond the dreams of the local Kelabit community in Bario.
“Whether there is any significance in re-enacting the landing of the Z Special Unit here in Kuching, the capital city of Sarawak, is best left to own individual your imagination,” Gerawat added.
The Operation Semut mission was the third independent Allied operation in Borneo during World War II. It aimed to establish an intelligence network in Sarawak while also building a native underground resistance to support the advancing Allied forces. Additionally, the mission sought to rescue prisoners of war (POWs) and civilian internees held in Kuching.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Rurum Kelabit Sarawak president Dato Dr Philip Raja, Deputy High Commissioner of Australia to Malaysia Simon Fellows, New Zealand High Commissioner to Malaysia Mike Walsh, and British Deputy High Commissioner for the United Kingdom Tom Sheperd were among the dignitaries present. — DayakDaily
