‘Commando trail’ could be next Sarawak tourism product

KUCHING: A particular jungle trail from Bario Highland to Upper Rajang through Long Akah and Belaga could be the next tourism product from Sarawak.

This is because according to Sarawak Tourism Federation (STF), this was where three parties of British and Australian commandos led by the late Tom Harrison were air-dropped to liberate Sarawak at the end of the Second World War in 1945.

STF heritage development committee chairman Lim Kian Hock said the trail to be known as ‘Liberation Trail’ would rekindle the spirit of the struggle for peace and nation building as a tribute to the veterans of war.

“STF feels it is opportune to seek the cooperation and collaboration of the Urban Development and Tourism Ministry, its tourism and heritage partners, and Bario community to open up this Liberation Trail.

“This will let our young generation and our young Australian friends experience this unique heritage, jungle survival skills and the promotion of cultural exchange,” he said yesterday.

Apart from that, STF also hoped that the Batu Lintang Memorial Square and Museum, which had been proposed since 2002, would be realised soon.

This is because the site, a former prisoner-of-war (POW) camp during the Japanese occupation in 1942 to 1945, continues to receive visitors mainly from Australia due to strong sentimental connection with that country.

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