By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Nov 19: The Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts is awaiting a comprehensive report from the Sarawak Museum Department regarding two decaying World War II aircraft relics found near the Sabah-Sarawak border in Lawas before making any decisions.
Its minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah emphasised that any action, including potential collaborations with countries like the United States and Japan, must be carefully considered to avoid misinformation being shared with the aircraft’s countries of origin.
The relics include a Japanese Zero fighter plane discovered near the border and an American fighter plane found in a Lawas village.
“One of them, if I’m not mistaken, is quite intact. From what we’ve gathered, the locals want it preserved as it could serve as a significant tourism product for Lawas. However, it could also be a valuable addition to the museum, showcasing a piece of World War II history,” he said during a press conference at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) Media Room today.
Abdul Karim stressed that further research is necessary to uncover details such as who flew the planes, how they ended up in the area, and whether they were shot down or crashed.
“One of the planes appears to have landed relatively intact, which is intriguing. The villagers may have hesitated to report the relics earlier, fearing they would be taken away by the government and moved to the museum,” he noted.
When asked about initiating discussions with the Japanese and US embassies, Abdul Karim clarified that no steps would be taken until the museum’s investigation is complete.
“We cannot rush it. We must ensure accurate information before reaching out to the respective countries. Even if it takes time, we must be thorough to avoid any misinformation or missteps,” he said, highlighting the importance of honouring those who sacrificed their lives during the war.
Although there is no fixed timeline for the research, Abdul Karim expressed hope that it would be expedited to facilitate informed decision-making.
Abdul Karim also acknowledged the RM37.65 million allocation from Malaysia’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture (Motac) for Sarawak’s planning and development from 2021 to 2024, expressing understanding of the limited funding.
“Although the amount allocated to Sarawak is small, we understand Motac has to assist other states as well. However, we are thankful that Sarawak is blessed with stability and strong income due to prudent management. Whatever the amount, we will accept it, even though Sarawak itself injects hundreds of millions into development,” he said.
Abdul Karim highlighted that Sarawak’s budget for organising events next year has been increased to RM50 million, signaling a greater focus on hosting more events that are expected to generate significant economic benefits for local communities.
“Whether Motac helps or not, life must go on. But I would expect that if a Sarawakian heads a Federal ministry, more attention would be given to Sarawak,” he added. — DayakDaily
