MEDIA RELEASE
Friday, 31 July 2015 VA077
55th ANNIVERSARY OF THE END OF THE MALAYAN EMERGENCY
The Secretary of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Simon Lewis PSM, today honoured the service and sacrifice of Australians involved in the Malayan Emergency.
Mr Lewis asked Australians to remember the courage and sacrifice of service personnel who played a key role in bringing a long-running communist insurgency to an end in Malaya.
“Today marks 55 years since the official end of the Malayan Emergency. I encourage all Australians to reflect on the contribution made by our servicemen, including the 39 who made the ultimate sacrifice,” Mr Lewis said.
The Malayan Emergency began post-Second World War, when the Malayan Communist Party launched an insurgency against the British colonial government. Australia’s military involvement commenced in 1950 and continued until the Emergency was declared over in 1960, but Australia retained a presence in Malaya through to 1963.
Mr Lewis said the contribution of the Australian Navy, Army and Air Force personnel who served during Australia’s involvement in the Malayan Emergency would never be forgotten.
“We honour and commemorate the efforts of all the servicemen and women involved in the Malayan Emergency, including the British and New Zealand forces we served alongside.”
Mr Lewis said the Anzac Centenary period was a time for all Australians to commemorate a Century of Service, honouring all those who have worn our nation’s uniform, including the more than 102,000 who lost their lives in conflicts over the past 100 years.
For more information on the Anzac Centenary, please visit http://www.anzaccentenary.gov.au/
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