Kelantan to use WW2 history to draw tourists

Kota Baru - The landing site of the Japanese army during the invasion of Malaya and World War 2 relics will be promoted to attract tourists.

The Kelantan Tourism Action Council plans to capitalise on the state‘s history to attract foreign visitors, especially from Japan.

Council general manager Sulaiman Ismail said that Kelantan was rich in local history.

"But the war is different. That‘s why we want to promote the landing site and war relics."

The Japanese landed at Kuala Pak Amat, a coastal village 12km from here on Dec 8, 1941.

History often recognises the attack on Pearl Harbour as the start of the Pacific war.

But now historians say Kelantan was where it all started as the landing happened 90 minutes earlier than Pearl Harbour.

Sulaiman said the council was working with local tour operators to set up a trail based on the war.

He said it would also co-operate with other authorities to upgrade historical sites.

Besides Kuala Pak Amat, other war-related places include the Kota Baru War Museum, where visitors can view a short black-and-white Japanese documentary on the war.

There are also photographs of those who fought in the war, equipment, uniforms and other items, including a bicycle used by Japanese soldiers.

Other war relics in the state are pillboxes used by British soldiers in the defence of Pengkalan Chepa and Machang, where a memorial stone was erected by the Japanese army to mark the spot of its fiercest battle.

In Kuala Krai, there is the Sultan Ismail hanging bridge and the Kuala Krai railway station, which the British failed to destroy despite several bombing raids.

To commemorate the anniversary of the landing recently, the council took reporters and several Japanese residents to Kuala Pak Amat and SMK Hamzah in Machang, where the memorial stone is now kept.

Former Japanese high school teacher Toru Ogawa, 63, said the planned trail could be a success.

"Not many Japanese know that Kuala Pak Amat in Kelantan was the first landing site of the invasion force.

"I am sure many, especially relatives and other family members of soldiers, would want to visit the state."

Ogawa, who is a participant of "Malaysia My Second Home" programme, said he knew about Kuala Pak Amat when he came here two years ago.

Source: www.nst.com.my (24 Desember 2007)
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