KUCHING: Australian and New Zealand military veterans along with their families gathered to commemorate the services and sacrifices of the fallen during the Second World War.
The commemoration, arranged by the Sarawak Heritage Development Committee with the support of the Facilitation Fund For Heritage, Arts and Culture, was held at the Kuching Heroes Memorial Park on Monday (Aug 28).
It was also held in conjunction with the Malaya and Borneo Veterans Day Service of Commemoration 2023.
The ceremony, which began at 9am saw the veterans recognise the memorial plaque at the park, which was announced back in 2016.
The plaque also includes those who were fell in defending Sarawak during the Malaya Emergency and the Malaysia-Indonesia Confrontation.
NMBVAA president Major Paul A Rosenzweig stated that the commemoration took a very long time to be recognised.
“This is because at that time, there was not a lot of news coverage of the Malaya-Borneo campaign, in addition to it being overshadowed by the Vietnam war.
“That is why we fought for it to be recognised, and we are truly thankful that the campaign is finally being recognised,” he said.
On another note, president of Sarawak Tourism Federation Audrey Wan Ullok reminded that the fallen had left a legacy of a profound spirit of hope and responsibility for nation building.
“Let us not forget the struggles of our unsung heroes as they fight for a better country, a country that we all live in,” she said.
Also present during the commemoration ceremony was previous dean of St Thomas Cathedral, Diocese of Kuching Dean Emeritus Michael Buma Galami and New Zealand High Commissioner to Malaysia, Pam Chong Dunn.
