Sandakan: Anzac Day serves as a solemn tribute to the prisoners of war (POWs) who endured unimaginable hardships during the Second World War (WWII), as well as to the local communities, including those in Sabah, stated Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, thousands of Australian and British POWs faced brutal conditions in camps across Southeast Asia during WWII, particularly in Sandakan. Hajiji highlighted that the camps in Sandakan and Ranau symbolized the severe suffering inflicted through atrocities, starvation, forced labor, and the notorious death marches, resulting in the deaths of nearly all who were held captive. Despite these dire circumstances, humanity persevered.

The Chief Minister emphasized the bravery of local villagers who risked their lives to assist the POWs by providing shelter and care. Such actions were considered serious offenses and were punishable by beatings or death, yet the villagers were driven by a sense of moral duty.

Hajiji's remarks were delivered by Sandakan Member of Parliament Vivian Wong Shir Yee during the Anzac Day Dawn Service at the Sandakan Memorial Park. Reflecting on the intertwined histories of Australia, Britain, and Malaysia, Hajiji noted that the bonds between these nations were strengthened not only through conflict but also through acts of compassion.

The Chief Minister concluded that the legacy of those who suffered in Sandakan is intricately linked with the legacy of those who helped them survive, even if only for a brief moment longer.