Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Sandakan Death Marches celebrate 71st year


SANDAKAN: A sombre but significant ceremony was held at the Sandakan Memorial Park on Monday to commemorate the Sandakan Death Marches.

Representing the Chief Minister was Datuk Teo Chee Kang, Minister of Special Tasks while the Australian representative was Deputy High Commissioner Dr Angela Macdonald.

Others present to mark the 71st commemorative year of the Sandakan Death Marches were Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture & Environment Datuk Pang Yuk Ming, Sandakan Municipal Council president Datuk James Wong, Sabah Tourism Board chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai and Karamunting Assemblyman Charles O Pang.

The Sandakan Death Marches was a series of forced marches from Sandakan to Ranau.

It led to the deaths of 2,345 Allied prisoners of war who were held captive by the Empire of Japan during World War II in the Sandakan POW Camp.

When the war ended, only six Australians survived after they managed to escape.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Sandakan Death Marches celebrate 71st year
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