Solemn 74th anniversary of landing of eight paratroopers without remaining member
MIRI: This year’s 74th anniversary of the landing of eight paratroopers under the Z Special Unit of the Allied Forces – codenamed ‘Semut 1’ – led by Tom Harrison on March 25, 1945 in Bario was historical and very solemn as it was without the presence of Commando Jack Tredrea.
He was the only remaining member of the Z Special Unit and had attended four formal commemoration ceremonies held in Bario and the last time he came was in 2017.
“Special tribute to late Jack Tredrea - A WWII hero of Bario.
“We feel the profound absence of a hero and loss of our dear friend Jack Tredea who departed last year on 17 July. He was 98 years old,” said Dr Philip Raja, president of the Rural Kelabit Sarawak (RKS) at the anniversary celebration on Monday.
He said the commemoration was in honour of all ‘The Unsung Heroes’ including the Kelabits who had fought side by side with the Australian and Allied forces to liberate Sarawak from the Japanese occupation.
He thanked everyone who made the commemoration a successful event including Deputy Speaker of State Legislative Assembly and Mulu assemblyman Dato Gerawat Gala, who officiated at the ceremony attended by some 100 people comprising military personnel, government officials and community leaders.
Among others present were Brigadier General Datuk Johnny Lim Eng Seng, commander of 31st Infantry Brigade, Sibu; Lt Gen (R) Datuk Stephen Mundaw @ Balang Dita who represented commander of Eastern Field Command of the Malaysian Armed Forces; Lt Gen Datuk Wira Zamrose Mohd Zain; political secretary to the chief minister Robert Ayu, director of Army Veterans Affairs, Sarawak, Lt Col Dungging Serit; the second son of the late Sgt C F Sanderson DCM (Z Special Unit) from Newcastle (Australia), David Sanderson; Sarawak administrative officer, Bario, Edwin Jelenggai; senior government officials and community leaders including Penghulu Robertson, RKS state exco members Dr Roland Mattu, John Terawe and RKS Bario branch chairman Martin Belawing.
Gerawat, meanwhile, said the war for some reasons was a necessary evil but it was a blessing in disguise for the Kelabits as it attributed to their success in a big way.
He said the first impact was the sweet and beautiful presence of peace that returned to community life after the war.
“Fast forward, after World War 2, a member of the Z Force, Major Tom Harrison, decided to return to Bario and unknowingly became a catalyst to transform the Kelabits.
“He introduced modern education by organising the community to build the very first primary school in Pa Main in 1946.
Education provided the opportunity and window to modernity and progress - producing outstanding achievers both at national and international level,” he said.
Among the outstanding achievers and pioneers were Henry Jala, David Lian, Berauk Batu Bala, Ngerawe Ulun, Ngimat Ayu, Beraok (medics or ulu dressers), Sinah Bala Lutu (midwifery) and Raja Ngetan (agriculture).
Subsequently, through the establishment of Bario primary and secondary schools, education resulted in not less than 500 Kelabits graduating in multi-disciplines from among the estimated population of 6,000 of the community today.
Gerawat wants the major incidents during World War 2 and Indonesian Confrontation as well as Bario’s success to be documented, both as history and tourism products.
He suggested that RKS and the Sarawak Army Veterans Association collaborate in documenting all the sites and incidents (including marking and preserving these sites) in a book.
He assured of support to bring the suggestion to the attention of Dayak Cultural Foundation for assistance.
“As for the Z Force 75th anniversary 2020, a grand celebration will be held with major tourism events (incorporating trekking to Batu Lawih and cross country run to Punga Pawan mountain pass).
“This will make the event a tourism attraction for Bario and hopefully will be part of the state’s tourism calendar in the future,” he said.
Gerawat also suggested that the Bario Memorial Park be upgraded for the 75th anniversary, adding that RKS provide input for Miri City Council to do proper landscaping of the memorial park.
He pledged RM80,000 towards the project and said that previously he had also provided MRP grant of RM10,000 for restoration of the monument and fencing.
Mundaw who spoke earlier was all for the major celebration next year which includes parachute jump and tourism related activities and the enhancement of the memorial site.
“There is no peace without sacrifices and no development without peace. We should be thankful for the peace and sacrifices of the unsung heroes.
“Many battles happened in Bario. To relive the rich history of Bario, they must be captured in writing and some historical areas in Bario be marked for future generations to appreciate such as the camp sites, shooting range, ammunition dump sides as lessons in history,” he said.