Malaysians outraged after wartime memorial calls Japanese troops ‘heroes’

First built in 1941, the memorial was restored by authorities in a bid to boost tourism in Alor Setar, capital of the northern state of Kedah

However, a sign that accompanied the restored monument bore the title: “History Of Three Japanese Heroes Who Conquered The Alor Setar Bridge”

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The memorial in Alor Setar, Kedah. Photo: Facebook

Published: 7:16pm, 26 Mar 2019Updated: 10:13pm, 26 Mar 2019

A newly-restored second world war memorial in Malaysia has sparked anger and calls for its demolition after a sign described three Japanese soldiers honoured as “heroes”.

Funded by Japan, Malaysian authorities restored the long-neglected stone monument built in 1941 in Alor Setar, capital of the northern state of Kedah, in a bid to boost tourism.

It was originally built by the Japanese in honour of three soldiers who were killed while securing a strategic bridge to cut off British and Allied troops.

However, a sign that accompanied the restored monument inaugurated last week bore the title: “History Of Three Japanese Heroes Who Conquered The Alor Setar Bridge”.

Lim Swee Bok from the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) on Tuesday led some 15 supporters to the Japanese consulate in the northern state of Penang and handed over a letter demanding the monument be torn down.