KUCHING: The Batu Lintang Wartime Memorial Square was officially unveiled in a historic ceremony yesterday, attended by visiting Anzac veterans and heritage exchange programme students.
Located at the Batu Lintang Teachers Training Institute, it was initially a small monument at the bottom of a hill to commemorate the sacrifices of the gallant men and women who had died for the cause of freedom during the Second World War.
It is now elevated as a memorial square to commemorate the memories of Sarawak wartime history and as a permanent recognition of all those who had sacrificed their lives and contributed to unity, peace and freedom.
The monument is shaped like an upright book signifying Batu Lintang as the source of knowledge with its top elevation in the form of H for Hope. Inscribed on the granite stones are the words, “To live together in peace with one another as good neighbour – UN Charter 1945”.
Assistant Minister of Heritage Liwan Lagang, in his keynote address read by Museum Department director Ipoi Datan, said it was important to develop historical sites and artefacts to enable us to visualise what had actually taken place in years gone by.
While acknowledging the Batu Lintang Teachers Training Institute for their significant role in providing greater awareness on the history of Second World War, he also hoped more could be done by the institute.
“We hope the institute will also take the initiative to set up a wartime heritage reference mini library to attract students who are interested in research or exchange programmes for students from West Malaysia, Singapore or even our Australian friends.
“This will enrich our educational experience and promote better nation building or international understanding.
“I hope the development of the memorial square will inspire our local writers to spare their time to unearth our wartime history and stories,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Tourism Federation (STF) president Audy Wan Ullok said that the unfailing collaboration and assistance of various agencies had made what was on the drawing board a reality.
“This achievement is made possible by the Australian Department of Veteran Affairs, which provided the launching grant with the very active support of Borneo Exhibition Group Western Australia president Ryan Rowland, the Batu Lintang Teachers Training Institute, Social Development Ministry, Tourism Ministry, Education Department,
Public Works Department, Information Department and our own STF Heritage Development Committee chaired by Lim Kian Hock.
“We hope that this beautiful memorial square will encourage more personalities and corporate bodies to come forward to do their part in recognising the priceless legacy of peace and unity for us to pass on to future generations,” she said.
Among those present at the official opening ceremony were DBKU Datuk Bandar Datuk Abang Abdul Wahap Abang Julai, Batu Lintang Teachers Training Institute director Awang Hambali Awang Hamdan and Education Department director Abdillah Adam.