World War II fighter plane discovered near Sabah-Sarawak border

30 September 2024

KOTA KINABALU: Near the Sabah-Sarawak border in Lawas lies a decaying relic from World War II – a Japanese “Zero” fighter plane. This relic, believed to date back to 1945, is a silent witness to the intense battles between the Allied forces and the Imperial Japanese Army.

Sabah's Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister, Datuk Christina Liew, acknowledged the discovery on Sunday, September 29. She has tasked the Sabah Museum Department with investigating the wreckage further before any official decisions are made regarding its preservation and potential as a tourist site.

According to media reports, residents of Kampung Pa Puti, where the wreckage is located, have passed down stories about the plane. According to 84-year-old Sinawat Tandem, who lives near the site, the plane made an emergency landing during the war due to a fire onboard.

Sinawat recalls hearing from village elders that two pilots were seen escaping the burning aircraft, but their fate remains unknown. No one in the village remembers what happened to the Japanese soldiers after the crash.

"The wreckage was moved to its current location by the community," Sinawat explained, noting that while the plane was once in relatively good condition, parts have either deteriorated or been removed over time.

Despite its dilapidated state, the villagers of Kampung Pa Puti are eager for the remaining pieces of history to be preserved. They hope the Sarawak Museum will take steps to protect what is left of the plane, seeing its potential not only as a historical artifact but also as a unique tourist attraction.

“This rusting plane already draws many visitors curious to see a relic from World War II,” said Sinawat, adding that the site has garnered significant interest from history enthusiasts and tourists alike.

Kampung Pa Puti, meaning “Clean Water Village,” is home to the Lun Bawang ethnic group who settled there in the early 1940s.