Kuching Heroes' Cemetery Explained

Kuching Heroes' Mausoleum
Body:Malaysian Armed Forces Department of Veterans Affairs
Ministry of Defence (Malaysia)
Use Dates:2011–present
Established:2011
Coordinates:1.5494°N 110.3425°W
Nearest Town:Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
Total:23
By Country:Specific figures are not available
By War:Malayan Emergency (1948–1960): 21
Communist insurgency in Malaysia (1968–89): 2
Lahad Datu Standoff (2013): 1

Kuching Heroes' Cemetery is a mausoleum located in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. This cemetery is located at Jalan Taman Budaya.[1]

Commemoration

On 29 August 2016, a ceremony for the Ceasefire and Declaration of the end of the Indonesian Confrontation was held in the cemetery.[2] The following year on 29 August 2017, a commemoration and thanksgiving service by the New Zealand Malayan Veterans Association (NZMVA) also held in the site.[3]

Inscription

Since the early days of Malayan Emergency. Iban Trackers from Sarawak served with the United Kingdom Armed Forces by arrangement with the Government of the Federation of Malaya, as part of the security forces operating against with the Communist terrorist in Malaya. On 1 January 1953, the Iban Trackers were reformed into two experimental platoons of Sarawak Rangers to give them fully military status where they continued to serve in the front line as trackers with the various Commonwealth Forces. These brave soldiers played a vital role throughout the remains were laid to rest in 6 Commonwealth War Graves in West Malaysia and Singapore. In honour to their bravery and sacrifices made by these brave soldiers, the Federal Government in collaboration with the Sarawak Government and the Malaysian Armed Forces their remains and interred them with honour at the Heroes Grave. This Memorial is erected in honour of the sacrifice of these brave soldiers who died fighting and defending the sovereignty of the country. Their remains were exhumed from the respective Commonwealth War Graves and brought home to Sarawak and reburied at this site through Operation MAI PULAI.

Notable burials

References

  1. Web site: Retired RAF master engineer makes nostalgic visit to Kuching. The Borneo Post. 9 March 2018. 1 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180401101649/http://www.theborneopost.com/2018/03/09/retired-raf-master-engineer-makes-nostalgic-visit-to-kuching/. 1 April 2018. dead.
  2. Web site: In remembrance of the heroes of Sarawak. The Borneo Post Seeds. 19 October 2016. 1 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180401102258/https://seeds.theborneopost.com/2016/10/19/in-remembrance-of-the-heroes-of-sarawak/. 1 April 2018. dead.
  3. Web site: Memorial service at Heroes Memorial Park attended by 72 veterans. The Borneo Post. 30 August 2017. 1 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180401102526/http://www.theborneopost.com/2017/08/30/memorial-service-at-heroes-memorial-park-attended-by-72-veterans/. 1 April 2018. dead.
  4. Web site: Mini museum dedicated to Iban trackers and Sarawak Rangers to be built. Vanes Devindran. The Star. 9 March 2010. 1 April 2018.
  5. Web site: Remains of 21 Iban trackers, Sarawak Rangers home at last. Johnson K Saai. The Borneo Post. 27 July 2011. 1 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180401103910/http://www.theborneopost.com/2011/07/27/remains-of-21-iban-trackers-sarawak-rangers-home-at-last/. 1 April 2018. dead.
  6. Web site: Kanang Langkau. Billion Graves. 1 April 2018.
  7. Web site: DSP Michael Anak Padel. Billion Graves. 1 April 2018.