By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Sept 9: Sarawak Governor Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has tasked Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah to conduct a detailed study on the feasibility of establishing a war museum in Sarawak.
The proposal came after the Governor and his wife, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, received the handover of the historic “The 1945 Japanese Surrender (Original Document)” from Michael Eastick, grandson of Brigadier General Sir Thomas Eastick, during a courtesy call at the Astana Negeri Sarawak today.
The proposed museum would house historical materials from the World War II era (Japanese occupation), the communist threat, and the confrontation with Indonesian forces.
“Such a museum should serve not only as a repository of history but also as a platform to commemorate and honour local and foreign fighters and veterans who lost their lives or were involved during those turbulent times.
“It should showcase books, photographs, journals, military uniforms, documents and related materials as essential references for future generations, while also welcoming contributions of historical works from both local and international authors,” Wan Junaidi said.
The “1945 Japanese Surrender (Original Document)” symbolises the pivotal moment marking the end of Japanese occupation in Borneo on Sept 11, 1945, when Brigadier General Sir Thomas Eastick, as Commander of the Kuching Force, formally received the surrender from Japanese General Yamamura, a milestone now commemorating its 80th anniversary.
Eastick later served as Military Governor of Kuching for six months before Sarawak was peacefully restored to civilian administration.
Following the handover, Wan Junaidi and wife, accompanied by dignitaries, toured a display of old medals and Sarawak government flags from the British colonial era, showcased in conjunction with the event.
In his closing remarks, the Governor expressed his gratitude to delegations from Australia, the United Kingdom, and Germany, descendants of war veterans who once stood alongside Sarawakians in the struggle to liberate the state from foreign occupation.
Also present were National Malaya & Borneo Veterans Association Australia Inc South Australia and Northern Territory Branch president Paul A. Rosenzweig OAM, Sarawak Tourism Federation (STF) heritage advisor Dato Lim Kian Hock, Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak permanent secretary Datu Sherrina Husaini, and Sarawak Museum director Nancy Jolhi. — DayakDaily
