By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Aug 27: Six decades after the Malaysia-Indonesia Confrontation ended with a peace agreement signed on Aug 11, 1966, veterans and representatives from the forces involved gathered at Batu Lintang Memorial Square here today to honour those who served and sacrificed during the conflict.
Representatives from Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the Gurkha community attended the commemoration, which included the Ode of Remembrance, Last Post, a one-minute silence, Rouse and wreath-laying.
The phrase “Lest we forget”, traditionally used in military remembrance ceremonies, serves as a reminder to honour and remember the service and sacrifices of those who served and died in war.
Among those honoured were Captain Lionel Colin Matthews, GC (1912-1944); Captain Rambahadur Limbu, VC MVO of the 2/10th Gurkha Rifles; and Sergeant Dato’ Awang Raweng, PSBS GC (1925-2020).
Speaking earlier at the Institute of Teacher Education (IPG) Batu Lintang Campus, Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the presence of veterans and representatives from the different forces reflected how far the region had moved from conflict to cooperation.
“Yesterday, we served during difficult times. Today, we stand together in friendship. And tomorrow, we look forward in peace,” he said.
Abdul Karim said the key lesson from the 1966 peace agreement was how Malaysia and Indonesia chose dialogue and diplomacy to resolve their differences.
He said the agreement, signed at Istana Merdeka in Jakarta, brought the Confrontation to an end and restored normal relations between the two countries.
“It represented a decision to turn a new page. It was a decision to look forward rather than bind themselves by the difficulties of the past,” he said.
He said the transformation in bilateral ties could be seen in the close cooperation between Sarawak and neighbouring Kalimantan.
Sarawak is now supplying electricity to West Kalimantan, while Sarawak Energy Berhad is also involved in providing electricity for Indonesia’s new capital, Nusantara, he said.
He also highlighted a hydropower project being developed with an Indonesian company at the end of the Kapuas River.
Abdul Karim recalled that Sarawak had also supplied oxygen to hospitals in West Kalimantan during the Covid-19 pandemic when the province faced shortages.
“These are the kinds of relationships that we are having now,” he said.
He said the two sides also maintained cooperation in trade, tourism, education, culture, security and people-to-people relations.
Even when differences arise, Abdul Karim said, the two countries had chosen to resolve them amicably.
He cited haze from fires in West Kalimantan as an example, saying Sarawak had raised the issue with Indonesian authorities rather than allowing it to escalate.
Abdul Karim said the sacrifices of those who served during the Confrontation should remain part of the younger generation’s understanding of the region’s history.
“Peace is not simply the absence of conflict; peace is the result of understanding. Peace is built from dialogue, peace is strengthened through cooperation, and peace is sustained through friendship,” he said.
He urged future generations to preserve the relationship between the two countries and continue building a Borneo where borders become bridges.
“Let us continue to build a Borneo where borders become bridges, where communities prosper together, and where friendship prevails over division,” he said.
Also present were Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak Datuk Sebastian Ting; Senator Robert Lau; Deputy State Secretary of Sarawak (Operations) Datu Hii Chang Kee; Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak Permanent Secretary Morshidi Fredrick; Kuching District Police Chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu; Sarawak Tourism Federation president Audry Wan Ullok; Australia’s Honorary Consul in Kuching Datuk Dr Philip Ting; and Malaysia’s Honorary Consul in Arizona Winnie Kho Kaplan.
The commemoration was also attended by veterans and representatives of the National Malaya and Borneo Veterans Association Australia Inc, led by Major (Ret’d) Paul Rosenzweig, State President of the South Australia and Northern Territory Branch; representatives of The Royal Gurkha Rifles; the New Zealand contingent led by Colonel (Ret’d) Kim Hoskin; and representatives of the Malaysian Armed Forces, security forces, and the Malaysian and Sarawak governments. — DayakDaily
