SANDAKAN: Strong mutual history forms the foundation of Australia-Malaysia defence ties, which were cemented on the battlefields of the World War Two, the Malayan Emergency and the Confrontation, Australian High Commisioner to Malaysia Miles Kupa said.
“We have also served together, more recently, in far-flung places such Lebanon and East Timor under the United Nations flag.
“This strong mutual history forms the bedrock of Australia’s and New Zealand’s defence relationships with Malaysia,” he said at the Sandakan Anzac Day Dawn Service at Sandakan Memorial Park here today.
Kupa said Anzac Day was not just a commemoration of the victories or defeats of the Australian and New Zealand armed forces at war.
“We come to remember that individuals, ordinary men and women, Australians, Malaysians, British, New Zealand (people) and many more, were prepared to make personal sacrifices, for the freedom and quality of life that we enjoy today.
“In particular, we must also acknowledge the bravery and selflessness, and the suffering, of the local Sandakan population during the occupation of Sabah in World War II,” he added.
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