Tawau Bell Tower

The Tawau Bell Tower (also known as the Belfry) is the oldest standing structure in Tawau, constructed by the Japanese to commemorate the signing of armistice agreement following World War I when Japan was an ally of Great Britain.[1]

Tawau Bell Tower
Belfry
One of the two pre-world war I structures (aside from the Tawau Japanese War Memorial) that still existing in Tawau, Sabah
Coordinates4°14′42″N 117°52′53″E
LocationTawau, Sabah, Malaysia
TypeBell tower
MaterialWood
Completion date1921
Dedicated toCommemorate the signing of armistice agreement following World War I when Japan was an ally of Great Britain.

History

The bell tower was constructed in 1921 by Japanese community in North Borneo using prison labour and funds contributed by Japanese businessmen in Tawau.[2] Its bell went missing in a sudden which become a mystery, and there is a legendary story on the missing bell:

Once upon a time in Tawau there was a tower with a bronze bell with a sound that touch the heart of every one when every it sound. But World War II did not spare this unknown town and soon the war reached Tawau. To protect the bell from our enemy and looter, we decided to hide this bell. But where could be a safe place when during the war all historical building face the risk of destruction? 1 kilometre away from the bell tower was a church. Perhaps God can protect the bell. The resident decided!

As the abandoned structure recently was almost near collapse, it was restored with funds contributed by the Rotary Club of Tawau (RCT) in 2006.[3]

Features

A bench mark also presents in the tower, which shows the town's elevation above sea level, beside being the mark for starting point of the distance to every place. The East Direction lead its way to Dunlop Street, Kuhara Road, Sin On Road and Apas Road; South direction faces the Celebes Sea; West direction to Tg Batu Road; while North direction to North Road and Merotai Road.[3]

References
  1. Nicholas Chung (2005). Under the Borneo Sun: A Tawau Story. Natural History Publications (Borneo). ISBN 978-983-812-108-8.
  2. Shigeru Sato (2015). "More Bitter Than Sweet: Reflecting on the Japanese Community in British North Borneo, 1885–1946". Japan as the Occupier and the Occupied. Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 88–106. doi:10.1057/9781137408112_5. ISBN 978-1-349-68115-0.
  3. "Bell Tower of Tawau". e-tawau. 12 September 2016. Archived from the original on 2 May 2017. Retrieved 2 May 2017.

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