(From left) Leong, Foo, Chung, Yong, Chun Kong, Teh and Sung Choy at the official launch of the book at Wisma KTC in Kuala Lumpur. — Courtesy photos
Group launches book listing 21 wartime monuments
TO HONOUR Malaysians who perished during the Japanese Occupation of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur Kwong Tong Cemetery (KTC) launched a memorial book and website detailing the monuments built for them.
Titled “Eternal Spirit: A Handbook to Malaya’s World War II Monuments and Memorials”, the book lists 21 WWII monuments across peninsular Malaysia.
KTC’s board of directors, through its Culture, Education and Heritage Museum Committee, published the book to promote peace.
Both the book and website were launched during the 815 Memorial Ceremony and Dinner at Wisma KTC in Kuala Lumpur.
The number 815 refers to Aug 15 of 1945, which marked the end of the Japanese Occupation of Malaya.
The dinner was organised by six clan associations represented in KTC’s board of directors.
Kuala Lumpur KTC vice-chairman Lee Chun Kong said that behind every monument in Malaysia was a story.
“It details the hardships faced by Malaysians during the three years and eight months of the occupation.
“Time has passed and people may have forgotten about it, but it will always be a part of our history.
Visitors to the exhibition reading historical accounts on display.
“Over the years, the KTC management has visited relevant organisations in China and met with those responsible for most of the monuments in Malaysia.
“We gained valuable insights which enabled us to organise tonight’s banquet and related activities,” he said.
Chun Kong said the monuments could be divided into two groups.
“One group honours the Nanyang volunteer drivers and mechanics as well as commemorates those who responded to the call of Nanyang leader Tan Kah Kee to serve in the resistance war in China and lost their lives there.
“The other group is of monuments by KTC to honour those who suffered during the Japanese Occupation,” he said.
The Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese Hainan Province vice-chairman Wang Guangqiang said special mention should be made of the Nanyang volunteer drivers and mechanics.
“They were the ones who left their homes and families to serve in the 1939 resistance war to facilitate the transportation of war equipment,” he said.
The banquet saw close to 700 guests from Hainan, Chaoshan, Guangzhou and Dabu in China, as well as local Chinese cemetery groups.
An exhibition showcasing photos of historical moments as well as old coins, banknotes, stamps and badges was held alongside the dinner.
The dinner also presented dance performances depicting scenes during the Japanese Occupation.
Present were KTC chairman Yong Pock Yau, secretary Chung Wah Lieh, assistant secretary Teh Kim Teck, treasurer Foo Soo Poh, assistant treasurer Datuk Lee Sung Choy and Culture, Education and Heritage Museum deputy chairman Leong Kok Choy.
