SANDAKAN: The Sandakan Heritage Trail is far more than a tourist attraction; it is a dynamic outdoor classroom designed to immerse the younger generation in the rich tapestry of local history.
This mission took centre stage during the annual Agnes Keith Day 2026, hosted by the Sabah Museum at the historic Agnes Keith House. Speaking at the event, Lai King Hang, Founder and Chairman of the Sandakan Heritage Trail, emphasised that the initiative’s foundational goal has always been to foster awareness of Sabah’s heritage among youth.
“Unbeknownst to many, the original objective of forming the Sandakan Heritage Trail is to raise awareness of our own history and heritage for the younger generation,” Lai revealed.
The celebration’s opening ceremony was officiated by Dr. Andi Md Shamsureezal, State Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Environment, representing the Minister. Also in attendance were the newly-appointed Sabah Museum Director, Aldofus Lester John Milip, alongside other senior officials. Lai and his team members participated in a mini exhibition held in conjunction with the event.
Lai elaborated on the Trail’s educational approach, noting that it transforms urban and historical sites into accessible learning environments. Equipped with informative maps and write-ups, visitors can explore and absorb the city’s history at their own pace.
The event honoured the legacy of Agnes Newton Keith (1901–1982), the celebrated wartime heroine and author of the 1939 bestseller, Land Below The Wind. Her former residence—now prominently known as Agnes Keith House—underwent restoration in 2001 and opened to the public in 2004. Today, it attracts approximately 25,000 visitors annually and remains a cornerstone of the Sandakan Heritage Trail.
Highlighting the day’s success, Lai expressed his delight at the enthusiastic participation of school children in the various programmes. He reaffirmed the Trail’s commitment to the community, stating that student engagement will continue and intensify moving forward.
“The joy is seeing the participation of school children in the programmes throughout the day. On our part, engagement with students will continue and be intensified to promote the Sandakan Heritage Trail, even though over the years it has also become one of the most popular tourism destinations in Sandakan,” Lai concluded. – James Leong
Lai (2nd left), with his committee members during the programme.
