LEST WE FORGET: Gita Brooke – the widow of the last Rajah Muda of Sarawak Anthony Walter Dayrell Brooke – lays a wreath of orchids at the Batu Lintang war memorial in Kuching. Yesterday marked the 68th anniversary of the liberation of the Batu Lintang prisoner of war (POW) camp and Sarawak from Japanese military occupation. On Sept 11, 1945, allied POWs, civilian internees, women and children were freed after being held captive since 1942, following Japan’s unconditional surrender. Brooke is a guest of the state for the 50th year of Sarawak’s independence within Malaysia celebration and Malaysia Day. — Bernama photo
FOND MEMORIES: Gita admiring a photograph during her visit to the World War II Mini Museum in Kuching. — Bernama photo
A SPECIAL PLACE: Gita taking a closer look at the model during her visit to the World War II Mini Museum in Kuching.— Bernama photo
KUCHING: For Operation Peace through Unity co-founder Gita Brooke, Sarawak will forever hold a special place in her heart, as well as that of the Brooke family, whose rule ended when it was ceded to the British Crown after the Second World War.
The widow of the last Rajah Muda (of Sarawak during the Brooke reign), Anthony Walter Dayrell Brooke, the octogenarian is the guest of the state, in conjunction with the 50th year of Sarawak’s independence within Malaysia celebration and Malaysia Day, which falls on Monday.
“I think Sarawak has such a unique position within Malaysia, in the sense that it has traditionally sought for solutions to relate amongst the different tribes, who have respect for one another.
“Its wealth is profound,” she told Bernama after visiting the Batu Lintang Memorial here, in conjunction with the 68th anniversary of the liberation of the Batu Lintang prisoners-of-war camp and Sarawak from the Japanese military occupation.
On Sept 11, 1945, the allied prisoners-of-war, civilian internees, women and children gained freedom and achieved peace after being held in captivity since 1942, following Japan’s unconditional surrender.
Gita, 83, who was accompanied by her grandson, Jason Brooke, 28, who had served as Brooke Trust honorary secretary, said it was a wonderful opportunity to be in Sarawak again as it was truly special to share in the anniversaries, with the people continuing to embrace the Brooke legacy with warmth and close ties.
She said it was always her husband’s wish to be buried in Sarawak, which would be fulfilled when his cremated remains are privately interred at the Brooke family graveyard, beside Fort Margherita here after a public memorial service at the nearby St Thomas’ Cathedral on Sept 21.
Anthony, a prominent leader of the independence movement, who passed away at his home, Rumah Brooke in Wanganui, New Zealand on March 2, 2011 at age 98, was heir-apparent to his uncle, Charles Vyner Brooke, the third Rajah.
As co-founder of the United Nations’ affliate that is based in New Zealand, Gita said the people owed “a deep thank you” to those who fought and suffered but kept their courage so that future generations might live in freedom and had hope for the future.
Gita recalled joyous memories of the couple’s visit to the Batu Lintang Teachers’ Institute, which now houses the war memorial site, where she placed wreaths and a mini museum, about three decades ago.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Tourism Federation Heritage Development Committee chairman Lim Kian Hock said the historical war time heritage was to recognise and pay tribute to the gallant veterans and Sarawak’s forefathers, who sacrificed and contributed towards peace and unity which was currently enjoyed by the people.
Similar tributes were also being extended to those gallant men and women, who contributed towards nation-building in defending the formation of Malaysia in 1963, he said. — Bernama