Fu Jijun (standing, right) with the three war heroes – (from left) Kho Hai Seng, Lee Ah Liew and Fong Chen Piao, all aged over 100 years old.
KUCHING: It is a truly living testimony of three war survivors – all centenarians now – during the unveiling ceremony of the World War II (WWII) Memorial for Sarawak Volunteer Mechanics and Drivers at Zu Tze Temple in Tabuan Laru yesterday.
The three were among 100 Asians who boarded Sarawak steamship ‘Rajah Brooke’ for Singapore en route to Kunming, in support of China’s war against Japanese aggression from January 1939 to May 1942, when 3,200 volunteer mechanics and drivers from South East Asian countries rushed to the battlefield of the war.
It was thus fitting that the WWII Memorial was unveiled under the charge of the three war heroes – Fong Chen Piao, Lee Ah Liew and Kho Hai Seng – who are the last three remaining volunteers still alive here today.
From Malaysia, Singapore, Sarawak, North Borneo, Indonesia, Philippines, around 3,000 lives were sacrificed during WWII, including nearly 100 Chinese from Sarawak.
They arrived in three batches via boat from Kuching to Singapore and then to Rangoon, Burma (Annan Saigon), before finally reaching Kunming.
The volunteers overcame numerous difficulties and dangers, slogged to transport military materials to the frontlines and made great contribution and sacrifices to the victory of the war against the Japanese invasion.
Therefore, during the unveiling ceremony of the WWII Memorial here yesterday, Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China here, Fu Jijun had this to say: “I would like, on behalf of the Consul-General of People’s Republic of China in Kuching, and in my own name, to express my heartfelt gratitude to them.
“The ‘Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression’, which happened 70 years ago, was an important part of the World Anti-Fascist War. It made great contribution to the victory of WWII, and the lasting peace of the world.”
The three, aged over 100 years old today, were among the five volunteers from Kuching who came back as war survivors, according to Chinese community leader Temenggong Lu Kim Yong who was among the distinguished guests present yesterday.
“The memorial is a fitting tribute to the bravery of the heroes who had sacrificed for peace and their country. It is also a salute to these fearless heroes for their undivided patriotism in defending their motherland,” he said.
The volunteers fought not only in China, but some of them also fought alongside the Allied Forces in Burma and many heroes like Lee Ah Liew and Chua Gin Teck were trained in India as para-troopers – ready for the counter-attack in Malaya, said another distinguished guest, Usaha Cendera Sdn Bhd chairman Datuk Amar Abdul Hamed Sepawi.
“According to the Sarawak Government Gazette of August 1939, volunteers from Sarawak were given a rousing sent-off by the people of Kuching when they boarded the Sarawak steamship, the Rajah Brooke, for Singapore. From Singapore, they went to Kunming in the Province of China.
“This group of Sarawak volunteer mechanics and drivers helped in transporting the needed war materials, medicines and food to the war zones,” he said.
“The memorial was erected to commemorate their contribution towards peace and today, we remember the many Sarawak heroes who had rendered their services and died in the cause of peace,” he added.
Fu Jijun said the victory of the Chinese People’s War Against Japanese Aggression, could not be isolated from the sympathy and support of the countries and peoples of the world, who loved peace and justice.
During the war, thousands of overseas Chinese from South East Asian countries, actively supported China’s efforts against the invasion.
Some donated money and materials; some joined the fighting directly.
The Chinese government and people would remember their selfless contribution forever.
“Today, the construction of the Memorial of Volunteer Mechanics in Sarawak is for carrying forward the Sino-Malaysian friendship and recognising the contribution made by the people of both countries to the maintenance of the world peace. It is also for bearing history in mind and to honour all those who laid down their lives, cherish peace and open up the future,” he said.
A memorial for this group of about 100 Sarawak volunteer drivers and mechanics was finally realised after years of planning and preparations.
It would serve as a reminder to future generations that the peace they enjoy today had been paid for by their forefathers.
The Memorial at Lorong 4A7A, Tabuan Laru to the courageous Sarawak volunteer mechanics and drivers was made possible with assistance from the board of management of Zhu Tze Temple, and the Association of Sarawak Chinese Academic Research, which is supported by people from all walks of life.
Also present yesterday were the honorary overseas president of the Yunnan Nanqiao Jigong Historical Studies Association and the president of Hainan Association Malaysia, Dato Lim Chiew Ah; researcher of Nanqiao Jigong Low Toh Nam and wife Loo Kun Ying; honourable advisor to ASCAR, Tan Huan Zhang; community leaders as well as descendants and relatives of former Sarawak volunteer mechanics.
The three heroes – Fong Chen Piao, Lee Ah Liew and Kho Hai Seng – are featured on the WWII Monument at Zu Tze Temple in Tabuan Laru.
Guests pay their last respects to the fallen heroes after the unveiling of the WWII Memorial for Sarawak Volunteer Mechanics and Drivers in Kuching.