Veteran’s Day service held in Kuching to honour heroes who served in Malaya, Borneo

Malay Mail : KUCHING, Aug 28 — A solemn Veteran’s Day service to honour members of the armed forces who had served in Malaya and Borneo was held at the Sarawak Heroes Memorial Park here today.

The event marked the 57th anniversary of the signing of the Malaysia-Indonesia Peace Agreement, which brought an end to the Indonesian Confrontation with Malaysia that occurred from December 24, 1962 until August 11, 1966.

Organised by the Sarawak Heritage Development Committee with support from the Facilitation Fund for Heritage, Arts, and Culture, it was attended, among others, by veterans of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (Anzac) and their family members as part of a reunion visit here.

The New Zealand High Commissioner, Pam Chong Dunn, said that at the Sarawak Heroes Memorial Park, the people are continually reminded of the efforts of the Commonwealth Forces, fighting alongside Malaysians to preserve Malaysian sovereignty despite the efforts of others to undermine it.

Major Paul Rosenzweig (retired) speaking to reporters after the ceremony

“Malaysia has not forgotten your service and you are all heroes in their eyes. Today is a day to remember and reflect, to honour your contributions and sacrifices, and to commemorate those who fell.

“And to take pride that New Zealand did its part alongside others to build Malaysia as a nation. Your deeds are not forgotten and your service is honoured,” she said in her speech.

Throughout the confrontation, there were no casualties among the New Zealander forces. The South Australia and Northern Territory Branch of the National Malaya & Borneo Veterans Association of Australia (NMBVAA) also paid tribute to their fallen comrades.

Landing at Kesang River

A commemorative plaque in the Heroes Memorial Park, unveiled in 2016, lists the names of Australian servicemen who lost their lives during the Confrontation.

Throughout the Malayan Emergency — which occurred in the Federation of Malaya from June 16, 1948 until July 31, 1960 — and the Indonesian Confrontation, 71 Australian servicemen lost their lives on operational service in Malaya and Singapore.

Read it all here....