MALAYSIA - Orang 'utan Sanctuary

Yesterday we had a wonderful time at the Orang Utan sanctuary watching the animals fed, mesmerized by the mother and baby and in general captivated by these gorgeous but dangerous creatures. Selima ( mother) and baby were less than 9 meters away, we dare not move or make noises suddenly, as only the day before she attacked and bit a visitor who dared to venture too close to her baby. We kept a respectful distance and all our fingers and toes...

Lynne- Sent from my iPad

MALAYSIA - Orang Utan Sanctuary

MALAYSIA - Orang utan sanctuary

POW Memorial in Kuching

MALAYSIA - Kuching POW camp

Day 2 saw us touring the local museums - a great day for a history teacher! This afternoon brought home why we are really here. We visited the site of the Batu Lintang POW camp, Kuching City, Sarawak state, on the island of Borneo. Here Australian, British, Indian, Dutch and local civilians and soldiers were interned by the Japanese. The camp was originally British Indian army Barracks. The camp had a maximum population of 3,000- the number varying with the movement and death of internees. Life in the camp was harsh - with food shortages, disease, forced labour, brutality and a lack of adequate care. Most internees here were British, two thirds of them died. Australian officers and NCOs were transferred here, in an attempt to keep the other Australian soldiers in other areas under control.

The camp was liberated on 11th September 1945 by the Australian 9th division. At that stage there were 178 Australian officers interned there.

Upon liberation Japanese paperwork was discovered that outlined the orders for the complete execution of all internees on 15th September. Obviously the liberation came in time to prevent the murder of over 2,000 persons. The Japanese commandant - Lt.Col.Tatsuji Suga - was to go on trial for war atrocities. He escaped what many considered " their day in court" - he committed suicide within two weeks of surrender.

Internees who died here were exhumed by mid 1946 and reburied on the island of Labuan. This is the only official North Borneo war cemetery - on Labuan Island.

Today this former internee camp, is a teachers training college - a respected place of learning.
Lynne

Lynne- Sent from my iPad

MALAYSIA- Tomb of the 13 Heroes

MALAYSIA- The 13 Local Heros

Today began at Perth airport at 10pm Sunday night, preparing for a Malaysian Airlines flight departing Perth at 1.20am. We consisted of 10 students from around the state and 3 teachers, all representing the state on The 2012 Premiers ANZAC Day Tour. This year Europe has been exchanged for Malaysia, in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the fall of Singapore. Rather than being in Singapore, we have travelled to Sarawak and Sabah, the most eastern states of Malaysia. We are here to commemorate the internment and death of nearly 1800 Australian POWs, who were transferred her from Singapore in 1942. The so called " Death Marches" are a little known aspect of Australian history, that should be recognized as one of our worst atrocities of war.

Although very tired, we attended a twilight ceremony commemorating 13 Malaysian nationals who gave their lives while trying to save Australian POWs. These men were executed in 1944 by the Japanese because of the assistance they offered to the Australians. We, along with the Borneo memorial group and the State government laid wreaths. Our poppies provided the final tribute today.

Lynne

Lynne- Sent from my iPad