The Sabah government expressed great appreciation for the entire effort, courage and sacrifice gallantly rendered by all heroes, particularly the Australians, during the Second World War.
“We are deeply indebted to their sacrifice and bravery,” said Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government Panglima Lajim Ukin in his speech at the Startevich Second World War Memorial service at the Startevich memorial site, today.
In this respect, he said the state government would always and forever remember their great sacrifices. “It is therefore timely and justified that we render the heroes a great respect and thanksgivings by giving them a ceremonial service to commemorate them through this service,” he said.
Lajim, who is also the Member of Parliment for Beaufort, said Sabah’s monument, building or historical site was the tangible evidence that helped to mould and shape the state.
He said this Private L.T. Startevich Memorial was one of the important historical heritage sites in the state and therefore the Sabah Government had declared the Startevich Memorial as a Cultural Heritage in 1998 to ensure that the site would be preserved in perpetuity and not disturbed by any activity that would bring negative effects on the site.
Lajim said these historical heritage sites were not only for the purpose of conservation and preservation but could also be promoted and marketed as important tourism products, thus enabling these sites to be further enhanced and maintained.
He said the existence of the Startevich Memorial as a historical site had further enhanced and created a strong linkage, friendship and relationship between Malaysia and Australia.
– Bernama
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