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.

Labuan Museum and Negeri-negeri Selat

Do you know how it feels when you found out that you were wrong all this while?

Or perhaps, you did not read and understand thoroughly?

Or not one knew about this info all these while!

Well, this is the story of Me, Labuan Story and the Straits Settlement (Negeri-negeri Selat). 

Let me set the stage so that you guys can clear understand my train of thoughts (or bewilderment) when I got this information. First and foremost, we were told that Labuan is part of Straits Settlement of which, all this while, I thought the Straits Settlement consist of Penang, Melaka and Singapore. I guess I was NOT right.

Secondly, I have always enjoyed museums, a small quaint one is simply perfect as I find it more intimate, within reach (I love touching stuff) and not that overwhelming, making digesting the info and feel - easy. More consumable than the large scale museum. But Labuan Museum did totally the opposite, the info was overwhelming and new (I was running from one end to the other to compare notes, I ever backtracked to relook at the Labuan flag and Brunei family chart just to reaffirm the details.

Last but not least, Sir Hugh Low of whom I always thought helped to introduce rubber/rubber tree in Perak actually started his career in Borneo, namely Labuan, Sabah and Sarawak. I was like ‘just wait a minute, this is a lot to consume in the first 30 minutes of my visit to Labuan Museum’. For a person who loves history, UNESCO sites and all… I basically flipped. An hour visit is insufficient, I need at least 2 hours here (MINIMUM) hence I need to revisit Labuan and its museums again (hint hint to Perbadanan Labuan and Gaya Travel).

Let’s share some insight on the 3 items I shared earlier (as above) with some visual help (to justify what I read). It says clearly that in 1871, Sir John Pope Hanessey; the colonial Governor of Labuan in 1867 suggested Labuan be united with the Straits Settlements so that it may develop further but the Colonial Office did not accept his suggestion. And in 1906, the Colonial Office took over Labuan and was incorporated into the Straits Settlements in 1907 as part of British Colony. On 1^st December 1012, the status of Labuan as part of Straits Settlements was confirmed.

On to the 2^nd item, this is pretty straight forward as you can see in the video, I basically touch the board as I read (sorry yek curator museum).

Lastly, Sir Hugh Low, a colonial administrator and naturalist joined James Brooke, the White Rajah in Sarawak writing on botany in the Sarawak Journals, he later held various colonial roles in Labuan and was the Consul General of Borneo. He also documented ascent of Mount Kinabalu in 1851 thus both Kinabalu's highest peak as well as the gorge on the northern side are named after him. Only in 1877, he was transferred to the Malay Peninsula and became the 4th Resident of Perak.

And all this info that I just shared, is just a section of the museum. I did not even covered the upstairs nor the other half of the ground floor. Well, I guess I need a repeat trip huh! (Sorry, I was so absorb that I forgot to take photos of the museum)

Operating Hours

Daily : 8.30am - 5.00pm

Closed on first day of Eid al-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha

Entrance Fee : FREE

Labuan Museum

Jalan Dewan, Bandar Labuan

Labuan, Wilayah Persekutuan

Tel : +6087-414 135

Email : mlabuan@jmm.gov.my

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

Beach ATV ride in Labuan

You guys know that I like outdoor adventurous stuff kan despite I don’t like the hot sun, leeches, stickiness (usually from hanging by the sea) and etc. But when there is ATV in an itinerary, I usually won’t say no, never (well, unless I have to climb or it involves height) … Well, seeing ATV as one of the activities in our Labuan trip doesn’t exactly awe me, ‘been there, done that’ was my reaction. As for toughness level - I have done a few tough/extreme ones, I have even experience riding an ATV around the Siem Reap villages and paddy field at sunset. Hence, it takes a lot to impress me (flip hair).

And you know what?

They did just that.

They impressed me.

Kow tow.

In order to keep things in perspective and in a structured manner, I will share their unique selling point that I certainly appreciate (it’s more clear cut this way lah kan).

1. Friendly and prioritise safety

Well, most ATV operators are. And this one is too. Showed us the steps, guided us (those forgetful few – yeah! Like me!), ensuring we have driving license (eh!) and accommodative (ni penting).

2. Terrain

Technically it is not that extreme or tough as we did not cover jungles, rives or plantation and whatnot. Having said that, jeng jeng jeng…. They promise us that it will be an experience of a life time (gitewww), hence, muddy terrain was enhanced (read ; purposely), steepness of molehill was not forgotten, slim log bridge was included (at a few places). Adventurous – check.

3. View

All you need to do is cross the road, and it’s the tadaaaaa… beach!

4. Vehicle

Its sturdy and robust. No squeaky sound nor does it rambles like a motorboat.

5. Beach ATV ride

My dream came true (sampai mimpi kita, wak…). Well, with one strict rule though – no riding in/near the water (salt waterkan, nanti rosak ATV tu). The moment they say, we riding the ATV at the beach, everyone starts taking out the cameras, smartphones and drone. We ride like there is no tomorrow, speed without worrying the bumpy surface, breaks ever so freely as no one is blocking you path (and if they do, the beach is wide kot, corner ler tempat lain kan) and allowing the sea breeze kisses our sun tanned beach boy/girl face. Heavenly feeling with rugged on the side. We were the outriders!

6. Photo

Here’s the thing – single photo BY the ATV, single photo ON the ATV, single photo KONON-KONON RIDING the ATV, group photo BY the ATV, group photo ON the ATV, group photo KONON-KONON RIDING the ATV. Of course then there’s the photo with the mud splashing the ATV, photo KONON-KONON SKIDDING, photo taken from the back view, photo taken from side view, as well as photo taken from the front view. Eh! Belum habis lagi…. Photo by the beach, photo by the beach with ATV, photo BY the beach ON the ATV… etc etc etc. By now you got the drift lah kan kot. You can guess berapa juta photos we have on our camera of ourselves and of others kan. And mind you, all the above mentions were excluding the drone footage tau.

What I would have appreciated even more (of which I doubt they will comply. Ever.) is to have a long journey ride – like those snow mobile ride, and ends it with a barbeque by the beach. It will be so cool kan (hint hint). Whaddayathink?

Operation Hour

Wednesday – Sunday : 9:00am - 4:30pm (booking is required)

Walk-in on weekends

Smart Ryders ATV

Email: smartrydersatv@gmail.com

Whatsapp: +60143580027

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