SANDAKAN: As Dr Sen Nathan went through the arduous Sandakan-Ranau Death March (SRDM) historical trekking trail, he wished he had gone earlier.
The 48-year-old local veterinarian said he had always been fascinated by war history and read many books on the death march.
"I am overwhelmed at how one can treat another heinously. The SRDM could be one of the worst events that happened in World War 2, not only in Sabah but also the world.
"I have been thinking about doing this death march trail for years and finally decided to do it this year.
"I contacted Tham Yau Kong, who is the expert on the SDRM trail, and managed to rope in five other like-minded people to join the trek," said Dr Sen, who took part in the six-day 77th SDRM trekking tour from Sandakan to Ranau to honour fallen heroes.
The death march route was made in January 1945 to move the first group of 455 prisoners of war (POWs), followed by the second group of 536 POWs in May 1945. All POWs from the third group, which left Sandakan in mid-June, died after reaching Beluran.
Of the 2,434 Australian and British POWs involved in the forced marches, only six Australians survived after they managed to escape assisted by the locals.
"It was exhilarating but emotionally and physically challenging even for healthy trekkers like us.
"Imagine how difficult it was for the starving, undernourished, malaria and dysentery-stricken POWs to have to endure," he added.
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the tour was only participated by members of the armed forces or family members of the Australian and British servicemen to experience the 260 kilometre-long death march.
Adventure guide Tham said it was also important for the locals to delve deeper into their own history and honour the sacrifices made by their own ancestors in the past.
"It is important to remember that there are other local heroes worthy of knowing beyond the ones mentioned in our history books," says Tham who will be receiving an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) for his retracing work on the trail.
During the tour, the six trekkers met the sons of the late Gambut @ Ahmad Tajudin Abang as well as the grandnephew of the late OKK Domima Akoi.
Gambut had helped the Australian teams recover bodies along the Death March track while Domima, also known as "Ring Lady" from Kampung Paginatan supported the Australian POWs in her youth.
The SDRM trekking tour started at Kampung Bauto in Telupid on April 19 and finished at Kampung Muruk in Ranau on April 24.
They concluded their trip by attending the dawn service of Australia and New Zealand Army Corp (Anzac) day at Sandakan Memorial Park here on Tuesday.
Sabah Tourism Board chief executive officer Noredah Othman lauded the group's effort for taking up the challenge of the Death March trek.
"Historically, it was the Australian POWs and Japanese soldiers who were much involved.
"We often forget that many local heroes provided welfare to the POWs when they were able to, more so when brave enough to as they too would be in danger if caught.
"It's good for the local community to also learn this part of history,"she added.