By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Sept 11: Exactly 80 years after Japanese forces surrendered in Kuching, Sarawak today unveiled the “World War II Sarawak Liberation from Japanese Occupation” Monument at Pending Point to honour soldiers, civilians and local heroes who endured the Second World War.
The solemn ceremony retraced history to Sept 11, 1945, when Brigadier-General Thomas Eastick of Australia accepted the surrender of General Hiyoe Yamamura aboard the Australian naval vessel HMAS Kapunda in the Sarawak River.
Adding poignancy to today’s commemoration was the presence of Eastick’s grandson Michael Eastick, who earlier this week handed over the original 1945 surrender document to the Sarawak government, alongside his family including Lieutenant Morgan Eastick, now serving with the Australian Rifle Company at Butterworth.
Deputy Australian High Commissioner Simon Fellows, who represented the Australian High Commissioner, said the surrender of Japanese forces in Kuching was part of Australia’s last military campaign in World War II, known as Operation Oboe Six.
“On June 10, 1945, the 24th Brigade of the 9th Australian Division landed on Labuan Island at the mouth of Brunei Bay, while its sister brigade, the 20th Brigade, landed on the Borneo mainland at Brunei Point.
“The 24th Brigade subsequently cleared Labuan and crossed into British North Borneo, while the 20th Brigade leapfrogged down the Brunei coast, utilising watercraft as its main form of transport.
“These movements resulted in a series of small-scale but relatively costly engagements and the Australian forces remained active until the end of the war on Aug 15, 1945. Oboe Six saw 114 Australians killed and approximately 1,400 Japanese,” he said in his speech.
By September, the 9th Australian Division’s Kuching Force was tasked with liberating Sarawak, including freeing thousands of prisoners of war and civilian internees at the notorious Batu Lintang camp.
The 9th Division remained in North Borneo, performing garrison and humanitarian duties until January 1946, when they were relieved by Indian troops and eventually disbanded.
“Their actions in liberating the Batu Lintang Camp and preventing a planned massacre remain a significant and heroic episode in the division’s history,” Fellows stressed, adding that the division’s colour patch was later incorporated into the coat of arms for the new colony of British Borneo in recognition of its role.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, who officiated the monument, commended the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) for always thinking beyond traditional municipal services.
“By constructing this monument at Pending Point, MBKS has not only preserved an important chapter of our history but has also created a heritage site that will educate future generations, honour those who served and suffered, and contribute to tourism and the local economy.
“This is how remembrance becomes renewal, how we ensure the past guides the future,” he said.
Meanwhile, MBKS Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng recalled that the idea of placing the monument at Pending Point began several years ago when he sat with Sarawak heritage activist Dato Lim Kian Hock to identify a suitable site of remembrance.
“Then came the pandemic, a storm that halted our plans. But even then, we fought to preserve memory by restoring the plaque at the World War II Memorial Clock Tower,” he said.
With the unveiling today, he stressed that MBKS will continue to safeguard history by reviving the Memorial Clock Tower and developing a Heritage War Trail linking Batu Lintang, Padungan and Pending.
The event concluded with wreath-laying, the Last Post, Ode of Remembrance and a minute of silence before the national anthems of the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia were played.
Also present were Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (Tourism) Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew; and Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Operation) Datu Hii Chang Kee.
– DayakDaily
