Sabah thanks Australia for rebuilding Sandakan Memorial Pavilion
Part of the delegation from Australia led by High Commissioner of Australia Danielle Heinecke (fourth right) paying their respects at the Sandakan Memorial Park today. – Bernama photo
SANDAKAN (April 25): Sabah appreciates the Australian government's efforts in rebuilding the Interpretive Pavilion at the Sandakan Memorial Park here, which revolves around the sacrifices of Australian soldiers, in an interactive gallery.
Sandakan member of parliament Vivian Wong Shir Yee said the original pavilion was demolished in 2023 due to age, and the reconstruction efforts carried out by the Australian government is reflective of the good relations with Malaysia, thus strengthening existing cooperation.
'We (the Sabah Government) would like to express our gratitude to the Australian government for having a budget to rebuild a very beautiful museum (Information Pavilion) located in Sandakan.
'This place is dedicated to the memory of the Australian forces, a place open to all, not just on Anzac Day,' she said when met by reporters at the memorial park in conjunction with the Anzac Day celebration here today.
The Information Pavilion was originally built in 1999 but was demolished in 2023, after which it was rebuilt in 2024 using termite-resistant and weather-proof materials.
According to Australia's Department of Veterans Affairs website, the Australian government announced funding of A$5.1 million to upgrade the pavilion in their 2022 to 2023 Federal Budget.
Moreover, High Commissioner of Australia to Malaysia Danielle Heinecke said the re-opening of the pavilion is a tribute to the thousands who perished during World War II in what remains one of the darkest episodes in Borneo's history.
'The gallery is interactive, great stories, I had a walk through yesterday and hopefully this place will attract Australian families and tourists, to not just honour the fallen, but to better understand the shared history between Australia and Borneo.
'Inside the galleries, there are lot of stories about those who survived and those who died, including the role of Australia here in Borneo during World War II,' she said.
Meanwhile, Heinecke said there is so much interest in Borneo not just about its wartime history but also for its stunning nature and unique wildlife.
'So I think it's a good opportunity for people to combine the holiday's remembrance with meaningful travel,' she added.
The Sandakan Memorial Park commemorates the death of more than 2,400 Australian and British prisoners of war (POW), in Sandakan, on the death marches, and in Ranau, Only six POWs survived the death marches which the Australians, and these men were later able to attest to the atrocities and brutality inflicted by the Japanese. – Bernama
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