A daughter's Long Journey: Linda pays tribute to father killed by Japanese army in Miri during WWII
Yii (second right) puts the wreath at the tomb of the 28 martyrs at Miri World War II Memorial Park.
MIRI (June 13): A group of 60 people gathered today at the World War II Memorial Park in Miri to pay tribute and lay wreaths in remembrance of the 28 victims executed by the Japanese during their occupation 80 years ago.
Among those present was 87-year-old Linda Bodestyne Fluhart, whose father, John Bodestyne, was one of the 28 martyrs executed on June 13, 1945 by the notorious Kenpeitai (Japanese military police).
It took Linda 72 years to locate her father's final resting place in Miri.
Marking the solemn 80th anniversary of the execution, she attended the memorial with her two daughters, Lesley Carnegie and Sandy.
Her third daughter, Adeline Carnegie of Perth, was unable to attend.
(From second left) Yii with Linda and her family at the Miri World War II Memorial Park.
The memorial park, nestled between SMK St Columba and the Gymkhana Club, served as the backdrop for the poignant ceremony.
Miri Mayor Adam Yii Siew Sang led the wreath-laying at the tomb of the 28 martyrs, whose names were first inscribed on a copper plaque by Miri's Chinese community.
The service was organised by St Columba Parish and officiated by retired Bishop Solomon Cheong. Japanese soldiers lead Memorial Park miri occupation World War II WWII
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The fathers in the Ong's family (clockwise, from top left): Ewe Hai, Tiang Swee, Kee Bian, and Kwan Hin. IN the olden days, the traditional Chinese families would always want their heirs, especially the sons, to follow in their footsteps in terms of making a livelihood for themselves. The Chinese saying, 'the prosperity of the population and son, the prosperity of the country', is contained in Chinese traditional culture. The more the population of future generations, especially the 'men', the more stable and prosperous the family foundation. This pretty much explains why Chinese men are compelled to produce as many sons as they can to ensure that there is not just one male in the chain of succession, but a few additional 'spares' just in case! In traditional Chinese religious practice, males are preferred because they have the ability to continue the family line. 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Ewe Hai's son, Ong Tiang Swee, carried on in his father's footsteps and under the second Rajah, Charles Brooke, was also appointed to the same position. In addition, he and his son Ong Kwan Hin, were the first two Chinese to be appointed to the first Sarawak Council Negri (Legislative Assembly) in 1937. In 1882, Tiang Swee joined his father's company which in those days, were granted a licence for the opium, gambling and 'arak' (local liquor) import and distribution. They also exported sago and other commodities, and had owned a fleet of schooners. He was made chairman of the Sarawak Steamship Company in 1919, and helped form the Sarawak Turf Club. He was also chairman of the Hokkien Association and had been active in the propagation of education in both the Chinese and English medium. In February 1912, the Chinese Court was established to give the Chinese in Sarawak a more extended influence in the political affairs of the country. As such, it became the most influential body in the Chinese community. Tiang Swee was appointed President of the Court, which signified his supreme position in the Chinese hierarchy. When he stepped down in 1920, the Court was dissolved and its duties taken over by the civil courts, where he was an advisor. Tiang Swee was the first person in Sarawak to be honoured with the newly-created Order of the Star of Sarawak as a Companion of the Order, awarded to him on Sept 26, 1928. On Aug 16, 1947, he was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) presented by King George VI of England. I was only seven months old when my great-grandfather Tiang Swee died, on Oct 19, 1950. He was succeeded by seven sons and three daughters. His second son, Kwan Hin, was my grandfather. As the eldest had died at a very young age, my grandfather had become the patriarch of our fast-growing family at the midpoint of the 20th century. Upon graduation, Kwan Hin had joined his father's bank the Sarawak Chinese Banking Corporation, and also took the post of cashier. It was the first Chinese bank in Sarawak. In 1947, the Colonial Government appointed him as one of the Kapitan Cina representing the Hokkien community, succeeding his father Tiang Swee. Kwan Hin's strong interest in animal husbandry had led him to establish a dairy and poultry farm. The successful venture resulted in his being made a Fellow of the Poultry Association of Great Britain. He also established a business enterprise named Hiap Soon Hin at the Main Bazaar, the earliest and oldest agent for AIA Insurance, until he gave it up in the 1970s. None of his children were interested in carrying on with it. During those early post-World War II years, Kwan Hin became a leading member of many organisations. Together with other prominent business figures, he founded Kuching's United Merchant Association and served as its chairman for many years. 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A daughter's Long Journey: Linda pays tribute to father killed by Japanese army in Miri during WWII
Yii (second right) puts the wreath at the tomb of the 28 martyrs at Miri World War II Memorial Park. MIRI (June 13): A group of 60 people gathered today at the World War II Memorial Park in Miri to pay tribute and lay wreaths in remembrance of the 28 victims executed by the Japanese during their occupation 80 years ago. Among those present was 87-year-old Linda Bodestyne Fluhart, whose father, John Bodestyne, was one of the 28 martyrs executed on June 13, 1945 by the notorious Kenpeitai (Japanese military police). It took Linda 72 years to locate her father's final resting place in Miri. Marking the solemn 80th anniversary of the execution, she attended the memorial with her two daughters, Lesley Carnegie and Sandy. Her third daughter, Adeline Carnegie of Perth, was unable to attend. (From second left) Yii with Linda and her family at the Miri World War II Memorial Park. The memorial park, nestled between SMK St Columba and the Gymkhana Club, served as the backdrop for the poignant ceremony. Miri Mayor Adam Yii Siew Sang led the wreath-laying at the tomb of the 28 martyrs, whose names were first inscribed on a copper plaque by Miri's Chinese community. The service was organised by St Columba Parish and officiated by retired Bishop Solomon Cheong. Japanese soldiers lead Memorial Park miri occupation World War II WWII
