By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, March 16: The pivotal yet often-overlooked role of the Kelabit Highlands community during the Indonesian Confrontation (1963–1966) was highlighted today in a stirring talk by Friends of Sarawak Museum (FoSM) president Datu Ose Murang at the Borneo Cultures Museum Auditorium.
Ose’s presentation, entitled ‘Defending a Young Nation: Memories of the Indonesian Confrontation in the Kelabit Highlands, 1963–1966’, drew primarily upon reminiscences and photographs captured by soldiers from the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and Gurkha regiments, who were stationed in the Kelabit Highlands.
The photographs offer an initial documentation of the contributions and reminiscences of the Kelabit Highlands community, highlighting particularly the role of the Border Scouts in supporting allied forces.
Ose also explored the British Army’s ‘Hearts and Minds’ tactical war strategy, implemented during the Indonesian Confrontation (1963–1966), which involved actively engaging local communities along Sarawak’s international border with Kalimantan, Indonesia, to counter Indonesian incursions.
Reflecting on his own childhood experiences, Ose shared a vivid memory from the period: “I recall vividly the memory of an aeroplane from when we were heading back home from school to our old house for the weekend.
“After walking for an hour or two through the jungle, we noticed an aircraft flying above the tree canopy. We heard a recorded voice coming from the plane, and leaflets were dropped, gently floating down toward us.
“At that age, uninterested in the broader events unfolding, we were simply excited to see the aircraft speeding overhead. Now, looking back, I wonder: What was the message we heard? What was written in those leaflets? I still don’t know. I ponder whether those were words of celebration or words of caution.”
Ose further pointed out that the Confrontation not only had profound historical implications but also catalysed significant socio-economic development in the Kelabit Highlands — notably the expansion of schools, the introduction of infrastructure, and the growth of local enterprise through interactions with British military personnel.
An essential point raised by Ose was the imperative of documenting and preserving these stories and historical sites, citing their potential in heritage tourism.
“Let us remember our veterans’ bravery and commitment. It is our duty to document these stories and preserve them, ensuring future generations understand the importance of what our people went through in defending our country,” he stated, suggesting naming roads and landmarks after local war heroes as meaningful gestures of remembrance.
Today’s event precedes an upcoming exhibition, scheduled to launch on March 25, 2025, in Bario, in conjunction with the 80th anniversary celebration of WWII SEMUT’s first arrival in Sarawak during the Japanese Occupation, marked by their parachute landing in Bario on March 25, 1945. — DayakDaily
