SANDAKAN: Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, Danielle Heinecke, made a brief but meaningful detour to the Sandakan Heritage Trail which recently recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records as the “First Historical Tree Trail in Malaysia”.
She was here to mark the 80th anniversary of Sandakan’s liberation in 1945 by Australian 9th Division.
The trail, launched by Sandakan Municipal Council (MPS) President Walter Kenson, is part of an ongoing mission to revitalise Sandakan beyond its tourism appeal.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});Founder and Chairman of the Sandakan Heritage Trail, Lai King Hang introduced Heinecke to the 10 main heritage sites that have been part of the trail since its establishment in 2003.
At the MPS Square, the High Commissioner was shown the William Pryer Monument, commemorating the founder of modern Sandakan, as well as the Sandakan Liberation Monument, which stands adjacent to it.
Deputy Conservator of Forests Sabah, Dr Arthur Chung, provided an overview of the trail’s significance and unique heritage trees.
Heinecke’s itinerary concluded with visits to two of the trail’s most popular stops; the Agnes Keith House and St Michael’s and All Angels Church.
“It is a privilege and deep honour to be given the opportunity to share Sandakan’s remarkable history from its days as a British outpost, through the devastation of World War II, to its revival,” said Lai, reflecting on the resilience and perseverance of the Sandakan community.
Heinecke and her entourage later also visited the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC) in Sepilok.
She was briefed on the activities of RDC which is managed by the Sabah Forestry Department, as the prime location for environmental education and forest recreation.
RDC also serves as an arboretum or living plant collection for Sabah’s rainforests. She visited the rainforest skywalk of 620 m in length, which is the longest in Sabah, and was also shown the majestic “Mengaris” tree or the wild honeybee tree along the skywalk.
Scientifically known as Koompassia excelsa, one giant tree of this species (known as “The Big Tree”) was actually found at the Prisoners of War (POW) camp of the memorial site.
It was a symbol that gave hope and strength to the inmates of the camp at that time.
The entourage also walked through the suspension bridge at the RDC Lake, which is typical while crossing rivers or streams in Sabah.
Danielle commended the efforts of the Sabah Forestry Department for having such facilities for tourists and public to appreciate the beauty of rainforests and to promote environmental awareness.
