Double Six memorial may be added to revamped Prince Philip Park in Tanjung Aru

The Star

21 hours ago

KOTA KINABALU: The Double Six tragedy, a defining moment in Sabah's history, could soon be given greater prominence as part of the upcoming redevelopment of Prince Philip Park at Tanjung Aru.
Tanjung Aru Eco-Development Sdn Bhd (TAED) chairman Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia said there are plans to include a memorial replica of the Nomad aircraft in the incident as part of the iconic park's redevelopment.
'The idea is not to relocate the existing memorial in Sembulan, but to create an additional site of remembrance within the redeveloped Prince Philip Park,' he told reporters after attending the 49th anniversary commemoration at the crash site in Sembulan on Friday (June 6).
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He said it was important to ensure that the public, especially younger generations, understand the significance of the tragedy on June 6, 1976 that claimed the lives of many state Cabinet members, including then chief minister Tun Fuad Stephens.
'We understand some family members of the victims may feel uncomfortable about a replica being displayed, as it could revive painful memories.
"I respect that and would like to meet them personally to explain our intentions. If they object, we are willing to adjust our plans,' he added.
He stressed that the memorial is not meant to sensationalise the incident, but rather to honour the legacy of the leaders who died.
'Prince Philip Park is a historical site for Sabahans, and this redevelopment is an opportunity to highlight Sabah's journey, right from the Colonial era to Independence and beyond,' he added.
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Among the park's new features will be an archive-like building that showcases the path to independence.
'Many people would not go out of their way to visit the national archives. But if we make it part of a park that they already enjoy, it becomes a space for everyday education,' Pandikar Amin said.
He estimated the cost of the Double Six memorial component to be between RM100,000 and RM200,000, forming a small part of the larger RM35mil park revitalisation.
He also expressed concern over the public's lack of awareness regarding the tragedy.
He cited a recent talk he gave to a Peninsular Malaysian NGO, where most attendees had never heard of the incident.
'This is why I support the idea of incorporating the Double Six tragedy and its historical context into the national school syllabus,' he said.
He welcomed the growing interest in the memorial among Sabah's younger generation, noting the high number of teenagers and young adults who attended the recent remembrance event in Sembulan.
'While the site at Sembulan remains the official memorial, we are in full support of establishing complementary access points in nearby areas.
"It is about expanding the reach of our history … so that even non-Malaysians can understand the significance of what happened on that day,' he said.
The redevelopment of Prince Philip Park, long a favourite public recreation space in Kota Kinabalu, is part of a broader eco-tourism vision under the Tanjung Aru Eco-Development initiative.
'We want the park to be a place that preserves memory, encourages learning, and reflects our identity as Sabahans,' Pandikar Amin said.