(Kuching, 26th) To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Japanese army's surrender in Sarawak, Long Langai (located in Ba' Kelalan), Sarawak, will hold a special commemorative ceremony on October 30.
The event advisor and coordinator Datu Ose Murang (former Deputy State Secretary of Sarawak) stated in the activity commemorative booklet that this day marks the historical moment of October 30, 1945, when the Japanese army formally surrendered in Sarawak.
“On that day, 346 Japanese soldiers, led by Captain Fujino Tai, limped in line to surrender on the field at Long Langai under Allied supervision, witnessed by local residents—exactly 80 years ago today.”
He said that the peoples of the Sarawak highlands, although living in remote mountain areas, were conscripted to serve as guerrillas, frontier scouts, and police during World War II, the Japanese occupation, Konfrontasi with Indonesia, and the communist insurgency. Many joined the military to defend the national border from external threats.
“During World War II, the Allies returned to liberate Sarawak, first parachuting eight soldiers into Bario on March 25, 1945. By a twist of fate, seven months later on October 30, 1945, the Japanese army’s final surrender also took place in Long Langai, Ba' Kelalan.”
“Therefore, we should regard these two days as important historical milestones in Sarawak's struggle for liberation—one witnessing the beginning of Allied liberation, and the other marking the end of the war.”
He pointed out that holding such commemorative activities enables Sarawakians to gain a deeper understanding of the value of peace and harmony, thereby promoting sustained social and economic development.
“I hope this ceremony will encourage the community to actively participate in preserving and writing history, to remember those who sacrificed for Sarawak and the nation, and to prevent history from being forgotten.”
This commemorative event will be officiated by Lawas MP Datuk Henry Sum Agong and will officially begin at 9am. The program includes the handover of a war memorial plaque, a symbolic handover of a samurai sword, and the unveiling of the 80th anniversary monument.
In addition, there will be guided visits to the memorial site and an open forum.
Previously, similar commemorative activities were also held in other parts of Sarawak—Kuching on September 11, and Sibu on October 11.
The event advisor and coordinator Datu Ose Murang (former Deputy State Secretary of Sarawak) stated in the activity commemorative booklet that this day marks the historical moment of October 30, 1945, when the Japanese army formally surrendered in Sarawak.
“On that day, 346 Japanese soldiers, led by Captain Fujino Tai, limped in line to surrender on the field at Long Langai under Allied supervision, witnessed by local residents—exactly 80 years ago today.”
He said that the peoples of the Sarawak highlands, although living in remote mountain areas, were conscripted to serve as guerrillas, frontier scouts, and police during World War II, the Japanese occupation, Konfrontasi with Indonesia, and the communist insurgency. Many joined the military to defend the national border from external threats.
“During World War II, the Allies returned to liberate Sarawak, first parachuting eight soldiers into Bario on March 25, 1945. By a twist of fate, seven months later on October 30, 1945, the Japanese army’s final surrender also took place in Long Langai, Ba' Kelalan.”
“Therefore, we should regard these two days as important historical milestones in Sarawak's struggle for liberation—one witnessing the beginning of Allied liberation, and the other marking the end of the war.”
He pointed out that holding such commemorative activities enables Sarawakians to gain a deeper understanding of the value of peace and harmony, thereby promoting sustained social and economic development.
“I hope this ceremony will encourage the community to actively participate in preserving and writing history, to remember those who sacrificed for Sarawak and the nation, and to prevent history from being forgotten.”
This commemorative event will be officiated by Lawas MP Datuk Henry Sum Agong and will officially begin at 9am. The program includes the handover of a war memorial plaque, a symbolic handover of a samurai sword, and the unveiling of the 80th anniversary monument.
In addition, there will be guided visits to the memorial site and an open forum.
Previously, similar commemorative activities were also held in other parts of Sarawak—Kuching on September 11, and Sibu on October 11.