Places of Interest in Labuan F.T. (historical places)

The Chimney

It’s the ‘Eiffel tower’ of Labuan. It is situated on a rise at Tanjung Kubong. This is a 106 feet high red brick stack building. It is believed to be linked to the coal mining days in Labuan. Believe it or not, this 106 feet high Chimney was made out of more than 23,000 pieces of red bricks. The bricks layering and work are of typical British design.

The Chimney was long thought to be nothing more than a ventilation shaft. However, recent findings revealed that there were no traces of smokes or burning to suggest its use as a chimney as popularly believed. Careful exploration has revealed at least 12 layers of bricks beneath the surface. The structure sits firmly on a large track of limestone rock rich in kaolin or porcelain clay, which provide the strong foundation.

The Chimney mysterious until today. Some said it was a light house as a signal or guide for passing ships while others said it was an unfinished mansion. In its heyday, a thriving settlement was built at the sea front below the Chimney. It was then used as a bell tower to signal the arrival of ships to the residents below. It has become an intriguing riddle that fascinates locals and visitors.

Peace Park

Peace Park at Layang-Layangan is situated close to Surrender Point, the place where the 32nd Japanese Southern Army surrendered to the 9th Australian Imperial Forces on 9^th of September 1945. On the 1^st of January 1942, the Japanese landed in Labuan. It was less than a month after they had started their campaign in Kota Bharu and took formal possession of the island, after facing no resistance.

The Japanese even renamed Labuan to Pulau Maida or Maidashima after the Chief Commander of the Japanese forces in Borneo, General Maida. He died in an air crash on his way to Labuan from Sarawak to open the air strip. The air strip was built by the Japanese who discovered that it was a good location for their operations in North Borneo.

On the 10^th of June 1945, a convoy of 100 ships was sent from Merotai to Labuan. An attack was launched by the 9^th Australian Division. This attack was successful. This attack result in the Japanese troops surrendering.

To commemorate the memorial and renunciation of the horrors of the war, this Peace Park was built. It is dominated by the memorial mound which is surrounded by landscaped gardens and pavilions. Small ponds with stone bridges and park seats are all Japanese-inspired. A bronze plaque commemorating the surrender is mounted on a stone slab near the entrance.

Surrender Point

It is located near the Peace Park, facing the Layang-layangan beach. This is another historical place. This is where the Japanese army formally surrendered during World War II. Three months after the Allied forces landed on 9^th of September 1945, Major General George F. Wooten, commander of the Australian 9th Division presided and witnessed the formal signing of the letter of surrender by Lieutenant General Masao Baba, commander of the 37th Japanese Army. In the ensuing two years up till 1947, this area served as the headquarters for Australian 9th Division army and the command center for Allied forces in British Borneo. It was also a detention centre for investigations related to the heinous crimes and immoral conducts committed by the Japanese army during the war. War tribunals were regularly held here to trial and execute Japanese army personnel suspected of war crimes.

World War 2 Memorial

This Memorial is situated at Jalan Tanjung Batu. 3,908 graves of soldiers who either died in battle or captivity lie here. Most of the soldiers were Australians and British with some from the Punjab Signal Corp, New Zealand as well as a few locals.
In February 1945, the Japanese, apprehending an Allied landing in the Sandakan area, started to force march the prisoners to Ranau on which was what came to be known as the infamous Ranau Death March. Hundreds upon hundreds perished along the way and those who were left behind at the Sandakan POW camp also died or were killed. Many of the dead were reburied here at Labuan.
On 10^th of June 1945, Allied troops landed at Brown beach at Tanjung Purun to begin what was to be the liberisation of Borneo from the Japanese. Prior to this, Labuan town was heavily bombed aerially to flush out the enemies. Most of the buildings were destroyed. At the place known as the Pocket, war also took place.

The remains of the Allied troops were gathered from all over Borneo to be interred at the Cemetery. The graves lie in long neat rows all bearing a plaque, mostly identified, many not, but 'known unto God'. The Labuan War Cemetery and Memorial is visited very regularly by War Veteran groups, especially from Australia who have included Labuan as an important destination on their battle-field tours circuit. On the first Sunday of November each year, a service to mark the Remembrance Day is held here and is attended by the locals and foreigners
The place was constructed, and is maintained by Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Visitors will appreciate the peace and tranquility of the place as they seek to understand the senselessness of the deaths of so many brave young men.