I was delighted to have attended the commemoration ceremony of “Operasi Semut 1945 Bario” which had entered its 80th edition and took place at Bario Memorial Park this morning. This famous military operation was one of the historic events in the history of Sarawak during the Second World War.
This operation is also a symbol of courage of the Allied Forces consisting of Britain, Australia, New Zealand and local heroes who resisted the Japanese occupation. My thanks to the organizers, especially Rurum Kelabit Sarawak for having invited me to grace this year’s event. Also present at the ceremony were dignitaries in attendance included Australia’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, Danielle Heinecke; New Zealand High Commissioner to Malaysia, Mike Walsh; and British Deputy High Commissioner to Malaysia, Tom Shepherd.
Also present were representatives from Australia’s Special Operations Command, the Australian Army Research Centre, veterans of the "Z Special Unit" and their family members, as well as Sarawak veteran Lieutenant General (R) Datuk Stephen Mundaw.
I flew to Miri in the early morning with the hope of getting to the Bario Highlands much earlier than the scheduled time of arrival but the helicopter flight there from Miri International Airport was delayed for about an hour because of heavy cloud formation at the highlands.
Later the weather conditions had improved with slight breeze but it had enabled for the seven parachutists to perform their jumps for the waiting audience. The significance of the event is also recognised by our Sarawak Government, with a repeat of the re-enactment to be held at Padang Merdeka in Kuching City on March 27.
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