Run for Sabah WW2 heroes

April 25, 2016 Monday
Story and pictures by Olivia Miwil
olivia@nst.com.my

KOTA KINABALU: Annual remembrance ceremony for fallen heroes during World War 2 here was kick-started with a 4-kilometre “Lest We Forget” run yesterday.
Deputy High Commissioner of Australia to Malaysia Her Excellency Dr Angela MacDonald flagged off about 300 people at Padang Merdeka as early as 7am.
City Hall mayor Datuk Yeo Boon Hai said the run was held for people to remember allied heroes during the liberation of Sabah.
“They made the supreme sacrifice so that we may live as free people today.
“Their selfless sacrifice is very much appreciated by Sabahans as this has enabled us to enjoy peace and freedom,” he added.
The run also aims to remind people of the imprisonment of 2,400 British and Australian at Japanese camp in Sandakan who had to endure appalling conditions between July 1942 and Dec 1944.
Those prisoners were made to march a torturous 257 kilometres from Sandakan to Ranau. Only few survived the ordeal.
Yeo added local people who had helped the prisoners and killed atrociously at the hands of executioners had also shown heroism.
Participants ended their run at Jalan Tugu and took part in the wreath-laying ceremony to commemorate the fallen heroes.
The ceremony began with national and state anthems before “Last Post” was sounded.
“Last Post” is a bugle call to indicate soldiers have gone to his final rest or during commemorative services.
A minute of silence was observed before dignitaries laid wreath on the Anzac memorial monument.
Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Edward Yong Oui Fah led the wreath laying, followed by Angela, state deputy state secretary Datuk Joseph Guntavid and mayor Datuk Yeo Boon Hai.



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