Remembrance Day 2018, Labuan

Armistice Day, later known as Remembrance Day; is commemorated every year and this year marks the 100^th year anniversary since the first world war ended in 1918, and in Labuan per se, it is to also honored heroes that who lost their lives in Borneo during World War II from 1941-45. War veterans from Great Britain, New Zealand, Australia, India, locals and many more gather in Labuan World War II Memorial to pay respect to the unsung heroes of yesteryears. The Labuan World War II Memorial consist of 3908 burials of which 2,156 were unidentified names, 858 are made up of Australians and 814 British while the rest comprised of others and Indians. There are 34 Indian soldiers, whose remains were cremated.

This year is the 100th Year Anniversary of Remembrance Day was in collaboration between Labuan Corporation in cooperation with Royal Malaysian Arm Forces, Royal Malaysian Police from Sabah and Labuan, Labuan Health Department, Ministry Of Tourism, Arts & Culture Malaysia Labuan, Tourism Malaysia, Civil Defence Department Malaysia, Commonwealth War Grave Commission, Labuan Scout Association, Labuan Red Crescent and Labuan Media Association.

During the event, dignitaries, family of fallen heroes as well as war veterans contributed and participated in the wreath-laying ceremony. Other ceremonial formalities include reversed arm (leaning on a weapon held upside down), the lone bagpiper, the sound of the last post and the moment of silence.

In respect of the Muslim, Christian, Sikh and Hindu religious rites, the prayers were done concurrently in respected burial ground located nearby.

During the Remembrance Day, war veterans and tourist pay a visit to sites that memorialize renunciation of the horrors of war. Surrender Point is where the surrender of 37th Imperial Japanese Army to the 9th Australian Imperial Forces on 9 September 1945. It is said that Lieutenant General Masao Baba officially handed his sword as a sign of surrender to Major General George Wootten during the ceremony and this marks the end of World War II in Borneo.

Built and maintained by the Japan Shipbuilding Industry Foundation, the Peace Park is situated next to the Surrender Point as an acknowledgement of the trouble and trauma that their forefathers have caused in the past.

The World War II Memorial; where the Remembrance Day event took place was constructed and maintained by the Commonwealth Graves Commission. It is also a sign of respect to the fallen heroes during the Japanese occupancy, the World War II and the infamous Sandakan Death Marches. There are 3908 burials, and 1,752 are identified; 1, 523 soldiers, 220 airmen, 5 sailors and 4 civilians. Those unidentified were emboldened with the words “Known Unto God”.

Explore Labuan Media Fam Trip is in collaboration with Perbadanan Sabah and all its sponsors with #GayaTravel as media coordinator.