Hari Anzac penghormatan kepada tawanan Perang Dunia Kedua dan penduduk tempatan (Dwibahasa)
Versi Bahasa Melayu
SANDAKAN: Hari Anzac bukan sahaja merupakan penghormatan kepada tawanan perang yang menderita dan terkorban semasa Perang Dunia Kedua, tetapi juga kepada ramai lagi individu termasuk rakyat tempatan Sabah, kata Ketua Menteri Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor.
“Hari ini, ketika kita mengimbau sejarah bersama antara Australia, Britain dan Malaysia, kita mengiktiraf bahawa ikatan antara rakyat kita terbina bukan sahaja melalui konflik, tetapi juga melalui sifat kemanusiaan dan belas ihsan.
“Warisan mereka yang menderita di Sandakan tidak dapat dipisahkan daripada warisan mereka yang membantu mereka untuk terus hidup, walaupun hanya untuk tempoh yang singkat,” katanya pada Upacara Subuh Hari Anzac di Taman Peringatan Sandakan, di sini pada Sabtu.
Teks ucapan beliau disampaikan oleh Ahli Parlimen Sandakan, Vivian Wong Shir Yee.
Hajiji berkata, ribuan tawanan perang Australia dan Britain telah melalui keadaan yang amat kejam di kem-kem di seluruh Asia Tenggara semasa Perang Dunia Kedua, termasuk di Sandakan.
“Kem di Sandakan dan Ranau menjadi simbol penderitaan akibat kekejaman — termasuk layanan zalim, kebuluran, buruh paksa serta perarakan maut yang terkenal, yang meragut hampir kesemua nyawa mereka yang ditahan.
“Namun, walaupun dalam keadaan paling gelap, nilai kemanusiaan tetap wujud. Penduduk kampung bersama keluarga mereka mempertaruhkan nyawa untuk membantu para tawanan.
“Kita mengenang dengan penuh bangga keberanian penduduk tempatan yang mengambil risiko tersebut untuk memberi perlindungan dan penjagaan. Setiap tawanan yang terselamat berhutang nyawa kepada mereka yang melindungi dan menyokong sehingga peluang untuk diselamatkan menjadi kenyataan.
“Membantu tawanan ini adalah satu kesalahan serius yang boleh dihukum dengan pukulan atau kematian, namun penduduk kampung bertindak demikian kerana ia adalah perkara yang betul untuk dilakukan,” katanya.
Ketua Menteri berkata, keberanian penduduk kampung itu menjadi contoh bahawa walaupun dalam saat paling gelap, setiap individu mempunyai keupayaan untuk membawa perubahan dalam kehidupan orang lain.
“Hari ini, kita menghormati jasa dan pengorbanan mereka yang menjadi tawanan perang di sini.
“Sifat kemanusiaan yang ditunjukkan oleh penduduk tempatan menjadi sinar harapan dalam tempoh yang amat perit. Kenangan itu terus kekal sebagai ikatan yang berkekalan antara rakyat kita,” katanya.
Tamat
English version
SANDAKAN: Anzac Day is a tribute not only to the prisoners of war (POWs) who suffered and perished during the Second World War (WWII) but also to the countless others, including local Sabahans, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor.
"Today, as we reflect on the shared histories of Australia, Britain, and Malaysia, we recognise that the bonds between our peoples were forged not only through conflict, but also through compassion.
"The legacy of those who suffered in Sandakan remains inseparable from the legacy of those who helped them survive, even if only for a little longer," he said at the Anzac Day Dawn Service at the Sandakan Memorial Park here on Saturday.
His speech was delivered by Sandakan Member of Parliament, Vivian Wong Shir Yee.
Hajiji said thousands of Australian and British POWs endured brutal conditions in camps across Southeast Asia during the Second World War, including here in Sandakan.
"The camps in Sandakan and Ranau became a symbol of suffering brought about by atrocities - cruelty, starvation, forced labour and the infamous death marches, which took the lives of nearly all who were held captive.
"Yet even in the darkest circumstances, humanity endured. Villagers and their families risked their lives to help the prisoners.
"We remember with pride the brave local people who took those risks to offer shelter and care. Each prisoner who survived owed his life to those who protected and supported him until the possibility of rescue could be reached.
"Helping these prisoners was a serious offence, punishable by beatings or death, but these villagers acted because it was the right thing to do," he said.
The Chief Minister said the villagers’ brave act is an example that even in moments of great darkness, everyone has the capacity to make a difference in the lives of others.
"Today, we honour the service and sacrifice of the men who were prisoners of war here.
"The humanity shown to them by the local people was a ray of light in an unimaginably terrible period. Their memory endures as a lasting bond between our peoples," he said.
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