Memorials in K’gau can be tourist product: DO
Keningau: Memorials that exist in the district especially the one situated in front of the airport can be a product to attract tourists from the Commonwealth, United States, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore.
District Officer, Haji Yusop Osman, said more tourists would then visit Malaysia, especially the interior of Sabah.
He praised the efforts of a few people who made study visits to Labuan on Nov 8 to review the celebrations commemorating the victims who perished during World War II where tens of thousands of lives were lost in trying to defend peace, liberty and property of the people and country.
He also hoped that the younger generation would pay tribute to those who died during World War II, adding that the commemoration programme in Labuan has become a tourism product as it is held every year on the first Sunday in November.
All countries of the Commonwealth and America came to Labuan to pay tribute to those killed in Labuan, including Sabah and Sarawak and Brunei who at that time were under the care of the British colony.
In Labuan, a total of 3,908 people lost their lives and their names were written in the Memorial Stone there and each year, many descendants of those who perished come over including top diplomats.
Historically in Keningau, several leaders were killed during World War II consisting of government leaders and staff of the North Borneo (Sabah) and Sarawak as well as a Chinese consul named Dr Cho Huan Lai and the Secretary General of Sarawak, Dr C.D Le Gros Clark.
On Nov 8, Senator Datuk Yunus Kurus officiated the World War II commemoration festival in Labuan.
An entourage from Keningau, led by former Memorial commemorating committee member, Wong Yu Shong along with several leaders from the Interior division attended the commemoration festival in Labuan.
After World War II until the year 1976, Labuan was under Keningau, an Interior residency centre before it became the Federal Territory of Labuan in 1984.
Yusop hoped in the future, Keningau will also be a tourist hotspot that can help the federal and state government attract tourists from abroad.
“There are several tourist attractions here such as the Crocker Range Park, Sabah Handicraft Centre, Bandukan Park, Bingkor Bungalow, Batu Punggul, Maliau Basin, Mahua Waterfall, Sabah Murut Cultural Centre, Tenom Agriculture Garden, Tenom coffee products, fruits and vegetables. All this can attract more local and foreign tourists,” he said.
“I have no objection to the Memorial celebration here which will be held on July 31 next year in conjunction with the Heroes Day to attract leaders from abroad to visit the district.
“It is hoped that local leaders can discuss the matter in order for it to run smoothly as the government will always give its support because this is one of the products to attract tourists from within and outside the country,” he said.
Source: Daily Express
