Malaysia's Kampar WWII memorial could well become a reality in 2022

Oleh Rozainah Abdul Rahim

KAMPAR, Dec 31, -- The forlorn Green Ridge Fort in Kampar, Malaysia that once witnessed a fierce battle between the retreating British and invading Japanese troops during World War Two (WWII), will probably see a new chapter in 2022.

There are high hopes that proposed war memorial to commemorate the 'Battle of Kampar' at the location will finally take off. 

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first to recommend to the Malaysian government in developing the 'Battle of Kampar' area during his visit to Malaysia in 2015, in memory of the Indian soldiers who died there during the war.

On Thursday, during the Remembrance Day- Battle of Kampar 80th Anniversary event held by Malaysian Armed Forces Sikh Veterans Association (MAFSVA) in Green Ridge, Indian High Commissioner to Malaysia B. Nagabhushana Reddy said India is ready to lend a helping hand.

He said the government of India is ready to cooperate with all relevant parties in matters relating to the 6.47-hectare battle site, which is owned by private individuals.

"We have to work on it with the Malaysian government via Wisma Putra and it requires sort of full cooperation and participation from the state government of Perak as well," he said when met by reporters during the event.

Also present at the event were MAFSVA President Major (Retired) Baldev Singh and military veterans. MAFSVA is pioneering efforts to preserve the Green Ridge as a historic World War II battle site and recognise it as a ‘Battle of Kampar’ war memorial.

Green Ridge is where the British Army stood in defence against the advancing Japanese troops for four days from Dec 30th, 1941 until Jan 2nd, 1942, which resulted in 150 British troops and 500 Japanese soldiers being killed and buried in the same location.

It was reported that in 2016, the Perak government gazetted the area as a historical site after historian Chye Kooi Loong fought for it to be recognised and preserved as a war memorial, and subsequently there were reports that the site will be turned into Perak tourist attraction.

Meanwhile, Kampar MP Thomas Su Keong Siong said the state government should give its full commitment in helping the process of owning the site which has a high historical value.

"We hope this site can be gazetted as a heritage site and will be done soonest with the help of the state government because the landowners are very keen to resolve the issue," he said.

Thomas said he had brought the issue to the federal level, including the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) apart from discussions with the Perak Menteri Besar's office and landowners in a way to preserve the historical site.

  -- BERNAMA