SANDAKAN: Sandakan celebrated its 133rd anniversary last Thursday night at the Sandakan Founding Day ceremony officiated by Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Peter Pang.
In his speech, Pang said after more than a century, Sandakan’s development has been rapid, encouraging and holistic, citing the Sandakan Education Hub as one of its many achievements.
“We are committed towards realising to attain city status,” he said.
The ceremony also saw the launch of the Sandakan Heritage Trail Guide of the town’s historical landmarks, published by the Sandakan Municipal Council and the Sandakan Heritage Trail Committee (SHTC).
The chairman of SHTC Lai King Hang, explained that the objective of the event was to accord recognition and appreciation to past figures and leaders for their contribution towards the economic and social developments of Sandakan.
He said the celebration promoted Sandakan as a leading tourist destination, and at the same time to remind the future generation of the importance of conserving, maintaining and preserving Sandakan’s historical heritage, especially for the tourism industry.
Also present at the ceremony was Kuamut assemblyman Masiung Banah, SMC president Datuk Ir James Wong, the president of the Queensland National Malayan Bornean Veteran Association David Kent and treasurer Kevin Carter.
The ceremony was first celebrated in 2007 to commemorate Sandakan’s founding by William Pryer on June 21, 1879.