KOTA KINABALU: Sabah's historical tourism attraction revolving around the infamous Sandakan Death March has restarted as the Covid-19 pandemic fades.

       A recent six-day/five-night hike undertaken by six local trekkers taking part in the 77th edition of the Sandakan to Ranau Death March marked the recovery of the attraction.

       Previous editions had drawn Australians to take part as well.

       This year, Sabahans walked the trail which traced the path of 2,434 Allied prisoners of war who were forced to walk from Sandakan to Ranau at the tail end of World War II between January and August 1945.

       Nearly all of them perished, with only six Australian survivors.

       This year's tour was held as a commemorative pilgrimage to honour the war's fallen heroes.

       Previously, such tours saw the participation of members of the Armed Forces and groups comprising the descendants of the fallen Australian and British servicemen seeking a deeper insight into the ordeals their forefathers endured during the 260km Death March.

       Local trekking expert and veteran tour guide Tham Yau Kong said the tour was important for locals to delve deeper into their own history and honour the sacrifices made on their behalf.

       "It is important to remember that there are heroes worth knowing about beyond the ones mentioned in our history books," Tham said in a statement on Wednesday (April 27).

       During the recent tour, the six local trekkers had the opportunity to get to know the people living along the route and mingle with them.

       They also had the opportunity to speak with the sons of the late Gambut @ Ahmad Tajudin Abang, who played an important role in helping Australia recover bodies along the Death March trail.

       They also had a chance to meet the grandnephew of the late OKK Domima Akoi, known as the "Ring Lady", one of the unsung heroes in Kg Paginatan who helped Australian POWs.

       "I have been thinking about doing this Death March trail for years and finally decided to do it this year with five like-minded people," said Dr Sen Nathan, one of the six members of the group and organiser of the expedition.

       "It was exhilarating but emotionally and physically challenging even for healthy walkers like us. Imagine how difficult it was for the starving, undernourished, malaria- and dysentery-stricken POWs," he added.

       The tour started at Kg Bauto in Telupid on April 19 and ended in Kg Muruk in Ranau on Monday (April 25).

       The group also attended the special Anzac Day Dawn Service on Monday to mark the end of their trek.

       Sabah Tourism Board chief executive officer Noredah Othman said the event would help local communities understand and learn some of Sabah's wartime history.

       "On an annual basis, the incident is commemorated at the Sandakan Memorial Park on Aug 15. It is a meaningful event to reflect on this historical affiliation between Sabahans and Australians," she added.