Kuching Heroes' Cemetery

Commemoration

On 29 August 2016, a ceremony for the Ceasefire and Declaration of the end of the Indonesian Confrontation was held in the cemetery. 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.

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

• 21 Iban Trackers during Malayan Emergency (1948–1960) (relocated from Peninsula Malaysia and Singapore during Ops Mai Pulai operation in 2011).
• Kanang anak Langkau – Iban soldier and hero during Communist insurgency in Malaysia (1968–89) (died 2013).
• ASP Micheal anak Padel – one of the police officers killed during the 2013 Lahad Datu standoff (died 2013).
• Awang anak Raweng (1929–2020), recipient of the George Cross
• Major (QM) Michael Riman anak Bugat (1950–2023), recipient of the PGB during Communist Insurgency in Malaysia and friend Kanang anak Langkau during Operation Setia in 1979

References

References

1. (9 March 2018). "Retired RAF master engineer makes nostalgic visit to Kuching". The Borneo Post.
2. (19 October 2016). "In remembrance of the heroes of Sarawak". The Borneo Post Seeds.
3. (30 August 2017). "Memorial service at Heroes Memorial Park attended by 72 veterans". The Borneo Post.
4. Vanes Devindran. (9 March 2010). "Mini museum dedicated to Iban trackers and Sarawak Rangers to be built". The Star.
5. Johnson K Saai. (27 July 2011). "Remains of 21 Iban trackers, Sarawak Rangers home at last". The Borneo Post.
6. "Kanang Langkau". Billion Graves.
7. "DSP Michael Anak Padel". Billion Graves.