The remains of last two of the 23 Australian casualties during Confrontation were recently repatriated - http://www.defence.gov.au/defencenews/stories/2010/Apr/0414.htm. They were across the border and the Indonesians co-operated fully (and gracefully) in finding the remains and in their disinterment and return.

In another part of the country, there is a continuing special relationship between Australians and New Zealanders and Sabah, reflected in the SANZAC College in Kota Kinabalu (formerly Jesselton) which was built and supported by WW2 veterans.

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/2329/sanzac1.jpg
http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/8181/sanzac2.jpg

In 2007, the College and the State of Sabah afforded us the honour of accepting a further memorial, this one to those who served (and particularly to those who died) during confrontation. The plaque is pictured here, in Australia, before it went to KK for mounting and dedication:

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/2497/dscf0453l.jpg

It is going back a way now, but I recall the plaque was paid for by the Department of Veterans' Affairs, it was transported free of cost by Qantas and the driving force was Laurie Nelms, a former National Serviceman and Borneo veteran with 22 Const Sqn RAE. All of this was at least one computer ago - I can't seem to locate pictures of the dedication ceremony.

On the whole, it is my feeling that the Australian authorities have been most accommodating - and the Malaysians, as always, charming, warm and grateful. If the British authorities are capable of shame, this might be an object lesson for them.


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Former 'nasho', RAE Borneo (Confrontation)

Sad to relate that the later plaque in KK, Sabah:



- has reportedly been stolen, supposedly for its scrap metal value (no, it wasn't just laying on the turf). Of more concern, negotiations on installing a replacement have presently stalled, on the issue of the 1997 fatwa, and other parties (Sabah Tourism Board) have supposedly echoed this "impediment" in informal discussion with an involved Australian member of the War Graves Commission. The fatwa detail:

http://www.islam.gov.my/sites/default/files/guidelines_for_memorial_squares.pdf

Now, something might be lost in translation but that clearly seems aimed at Malaysia's OWN memorials and commemorations by members of the Islamic community. Even so, it seems it wasn't until 2010 that it was actually enforced, at the Hari Pahlawan - Warrior's Day - commemorations that year:

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/warriors-day-to-be-marked-the-islamic-way-on-saturday/

Now, in my limited experience in "Islamic" countries (well, in Indonesia, ironically enough), non-Muslims are NOT expected to fast during Ramadan, etc. Naturally, one does not make a conspicuous display of eating, drinking, smoking etc. in the face of those who must refrain, which is only normal respect and courtesy. Similarly, "our" memorials and commemorations are surely NOT to be held accountable to the strict terms of the fatwa by any reasonable interpretation. It is doubly ironic that this should be happening in Sabah - the Keningau Oath Stone and its consecration, supposedly pre-requisite to Sabah joining the Federation, are/were decidedly (and deliberately) non-Islamic and supposedly enshrine religious tolerance. And there was nothing in that stolen plaque (or any proposed replacement) to offend and it was in a fairly secluded place should any passer-by have stopped for reflection or strewn a few flowers.

What do members think? I would put it down to one or two local bigots and others there behaving a touch cravenly to oblige 'em - but we have people in these forums who are far more knowledgeable about Malaysia and the people and are accordingly far better placed to interpret these disturbing signs. What can be done when common sense and courtesy go missing? Veteran sentiment in these parts is going a touch paranoid and that can't be good.


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Former 'nasho', RAE Borneo (Confrontation)

I was in Indonesia in 1995 and found the people very friendly I was also in Malaya in 2007 for the 50th Anniversary of Independence and it was like going home, the people could not do enough for us.
I would say that a couple of local toe-rags have had it away for scrap, here in the midlands a bronze life size war memorial was stolen for scrap.
The price of metal is very high, road signs drain & manhole covers are being nicked during the night.

Thanks Paul, your experience seems reassuringly similar to mine.

There's two sides (at least) to every story and I think I have a way to go to get the full picture on this one.


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Former 'nasho', RAE Borneo (Confrontation)

The previous plaque has (apparently) gone the way of all brass but a new memorial is to be dedicated at the Kundasang War Memorial precinct on 27 April 2012, Insha'Allah - we are assured it will be spared the deprivations of the thieves and/or zealots in that hallowed place.





These Fellowing Men

They are not dead; not even broken;
Only their dust has gone back home to the earth;
For they, the essential they, shall have re-birth
Whenever a word of them is spoken.

Dame Mary Gilmore, The Passionate Heart
(From the Order of Service, forthcoming Kundasang Memorial Gardens Wreath-laying Ceremony, 10.00am Friday 27 April 2012. Thanks to Laurie Nelms, former nasho 22 Const Sqn RAE, who persevered in reverence and remembrance.)


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Former 'nasho', RAE Borneo (Confrontation)

From the wreath-laying ceremony 27/4/2012, photo courtesy of Laurie Nelms.

L-R David Scott, Laurie Nelms, Jane Duke, Deputy High Commissioner for Malaysia, Dato' Seri Tengku Zainal Adlin, Chairman, Sabah Tourism Board, Rod Bramich and Gordon Menzies.

The plaque, like the one it replaces, was funded by the Department of Veterans' Affairs and this one arranged through the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. The Sabah Tourism Board has been a staunch supporter since a chance meeting of the entire Board executive and Laurie Nelms, Rod Bramich and John Lehmann aboard an airline flight in Sabah back in 2004, the first of what was to become many return visits for Laurie and Rod.


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Former 'nasho', RAE Borneo (Confrontation)

46 years come midnight since the end of Confrontation. Haven't heard if there are any observances planned for Kundasang this year but some will certainly be dropping by to pay their respects after the Sandakan Day ceremony (at Sandakan) on Sunday 19th August and either before or after commemorations at Labuan.

Numbers are spread a little thin, 18th August is the anniversary (also the 46th) of the battle of Long Tan and commemorated in Aus as Vietnam Veterans' Day.

No more wars, please.




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Former 'nasho', RAE Borneo (Confrontation)

From the Aus DVA

Quote:

PDF version
Minister for Veterans' Affairs
Minister for Defence Science and Personnel
Minister for Indigenous Health
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on the Centenary of Anzac.

Friday, 31 August 2012
VA071
AUSTRALIA REMEMBERS THE MALAYAN AND BORNEO CAMPAIGNS

Australians are being asked this Malaya and Borneo Veterans’ Day, to pause and remember the courage and sacrifice of thousands of Australians who served during the Malayan Emergency, 1948–1960 and the Indonesian Confrontation, 1963–1966.

The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Warren Snowdon, said parts of South-East Asia remained a theatre for conflict long after the terrible battles fought there during the Second World War.

“In response to the Malayan Communist Party’s (MCP) push to bring down the colonial British government, Australia’s military involvement in the region began in 1950, with the deployment of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). They attacked guerilla positions, transported troops and supplies and dropped paratroops and leaflets. Australia also committed Navy aircraft carriers and destroyers to the region.

“By October 1955, troops from 2RAR had been deployed to defend against regular guerilla activity undertaken by the MCP. They were then replaced by 3RAR in 1957 and 1RAR in 1959, who continued the work of their predecessors in patrolling, ambushing the enemy, guarding villages and denying the communist forces a base of operations.

“The conflict ended in 1960, although Australian forces would remain in Malaya for a further three years, making it the longest continuing military commitment in Australian history, lasting 13 years,” Mr Snowdon said.

Sadly, 15 Australians were killed on operations during the Malayan Emergency and 27 were wounded.

The Indonesian Confrontation took place in Borneo between 1962–1966, when Indonesian forces attacked the newly-formed Federation of Malaysia.

“Australian forces from 3RAR, 4RAR, Special Air Service squadrons, artillery, engineers and Royal Australian Naval vessels were deployed to Malaysia, then sent to Borneo during the Confrontation, and participated in numerous operations,” he said.

RAAF aircraft and crew were based in Malaysia during the 1960's and throughout the Confrontation. The RAAF's contribution included Australian Sabres, Canberra bombers, Lincoln bombers, Dakota aircraft and helicopters. A Sabre squadron was also deployed to Darwin to protect the Australian mainland.

The nature of the conflict meant there was little attention paid to the Confrontation by the Australian media.

“It was the first post-Second World War conflict in which Australian national servicemen saw active service. We lost seven Australians during the operation, and another eight were wounded before the conflict ended in August 1966,” Mr Snowdon said.

Australian service is commemorated across the South-East Asian region, with official commemorations in Malaysia and many official and unofficial Memorials to the Missing established across Indonesia.

“Today, Australians will remember and honour those Australian Defence Force personnel who gave their all in the Malayan Emergency and the Indonesian Confrontation. Their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten,” Mr Snowdon said.

Media inquiries: Minister Snowdon: Lidija Ivanovski 02 6277 7820 or 0407 108 935
or Marcus Butler 0417 917 796
Department of Veterans’ Affairs Media: 02 6289 6203

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Former 'nasho', RAE Borneo (Confrontation)