World war Two Memorial in K’gau to be upgraded

Keningau: The World War Two Memorial in front of the airport here will be upgraded so that it becomes a tourism attraction to attract domestic and international tourists to the district.
District Officer Yusop Osman said 21 former British and American servicemen and their families came to visit Keningau and to pay their respect at the memorial.

He said the memorial is important as a reminder to the younger generation as well as residents here of the sacrifices made by people including leaders in the past in defending the peace and spirit of freedom.

On Monday, the Sabah United Chinese Chamber of Commerce (SUCCCC) led by its President Datuk Seri Gan Sau Wah paid its respect at the memorial.

Tenom Chinese Chamber of Commerce Chairman cum SUCCC Deputy President Yong Chung Ngee, represented 22 Chinese chambers of commerce statewide by placing a flower wreath at the memorial also.

The Malaysia Ex-Police Association, Ex-Army Association, Rela and police also attended the event.

Deputy Chief of Mission Taipei Economic and Cultural in Malaysia, Chuan-Chin Jeffrey Kau also came from Kuala Lumpur accompanied by President of Sabah Taiwan Alumni Association, Lawrence Ting Siew Haw.

In 1958, Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Keningau Chinese Chamber of Commerce together with the State Governments of Sabah and Sarawak came up with the funds to build the memorial.

The war memorial was relocated to its present location in 1975 to pave the way for the upgrading of the Keningau-Tambunan road.

It was temporarily neglected until Chairman of the War Memorial Celebration Council, Wong Yu Shong in 1989 made an effort so that the Warrior’s Day could be observed there every year.

In 2001, it was handed over to the State Museum.

The District Office and museum jointly manage the one-acre land on which the memorial is located.

Source: Daily Express