Guests with organising committee members after the earth breaking ceremony.
KUCHING: The monument to be built to intrepid Sarawak Volunteer Mechanics and Drivers in the war will be a reminder, especially to the young generation, of the sufferings and loss of lives during a war.
“It’s a lesson for all to treasure peace and protect their country from war,” said Federation of Kuching and Samarahan Divisions Chinese Associations Sarawak president Temenggong Lu Kim Yong at the earth breaking ceremony at Zhu Tse Temple in Tabuan Laru here on Thursday.
He said the memorial to commemorate those who died for their country saluted the fearless heroes for their patriotism.
“During the Sino-Japanese war from 1939 to 1945, overseas Chinese especially those from Southeast Asia responded to the recruitment of drivers and mechanics in China to defend their ancestral country from Japanese intrusion.
“These heroes are referred to as Overseas Volunteer Mechanics. Many of these anti-Japanese war heroes lay down their lives for the cause of peace. Some survived, among them several from Sarawak,” said Lu.
He said research recently done by history scholars in Southeast Asia gave people a better insight of this inspiring history.
“Although the memorial is built on private land, it is our hope that one day it will stand tall in a public place for people to access more easily,” he said.
Also present was Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Kuching, Fu Jijun who said the Chinese people’s war of resistance against Japanese aggression, which happened 70 years ago, is an important part of the world anti-fascist war.
“It greatly contributed to the victory of World War II, and lasting world peace. The victory of the Chinese people’s war against Japanese aggression cannot be isolated from the sympathy and support of countries and peoples of the world who love peace and justice.
“During the war, thousands of overseas Chinese from Southeast Asian countries supported China’s efforts against the invasion in many forms. Some donated money and materials while some joined the fight,” he said.
He said the Chinese government and people would always remember their contributions.
“To pay tribute to all veterans, patriots and officers who took part in the war of resistance, and all Chinese at home and abroad who contributed to the victory of the war, the Chinese government last September held a commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese people’s war of resistance against Japanese aggression and the world anti-fascist war in Beijing.
“The commemoration was warmly welcomed by people in the world who love peace and justice,” he said.
Fu said to support China’s war against Japanese aggression from January 1939 to May 1942, over 3,000 volunteer mechanics from Southeast Asian countries went to the battle field. They overcame numerous difficulties and dangers, slogged to transport military equipment to the frontline, and sacrificed much for the victory of the war against invasion.
“On behalf of the Consulate General of China to Kuching and in my own capacity, I express my heartfelt gratitude to them.
“Today, the construction of a memorial to volunteer mechanics in Sarawak carries forward the Sino-Malaysian friendship and recognition of the contribution to world peace made by the peoples of both countries.
“It’s also for bearing the history in mind, honour all those who lay down their lives, cherish peace and open up the future. The construction of the memorial to the Sarawak Volunteer Mechanics will create a venue for us to remember them,” he said.
Among those present were a surviving Sarawak volunteer Fong Chen Piao, Dato Ngeng Eng Seng from the board of management of Zhu Tse Temple and Chinese community leaders.
The Association of Sarawak Chinese Academic Research (Ascar) is making the monument to honour the thousands of Nanyang volunteer drivers and mechanics who served in the resistance war of China from 1937 – 1945.