Warriors’ Association Malaysia (Persatuan Wira Malaysia) on Monday organised an annual programme to commemorate the sacrifice of Gurkha soldiers during the First Emergency of Malaysia from 1948 to 1960 in Malaysia.

 The association has been organising the remembrance event every year since 2005.

 Nepali Ambassador to Malaysia Niranjan Man Singh Basnyat was the Guest of Honour at the event attended by High Commissioner of United Kingdom to Malaysia Vicki Treadell, among other members of the diplomatic corps based in Malaysia, according to the Nepali Embassy in Malaysia.  Many war veterans and their families were also present on the occasion.

 During the ceremony, ambassador Basnyat handed over, on behalf of the government of Nepal, a cheque for Malaysian Ringgit 19,500 to Chairman of the Warriors’ Association Malaysia Dato R. Thambipillay for the remaining infrastructure works, upkeep and maintenance of the memorial site. This was the first time Nepal government contributed financially for such a memorial site of Gurkhas in Malaysia, according to the Embassy.

 After handing over the cheque,  Basnyat highlighted the contribution and supreme sacrifices of Gurkhas for the cause of Malaysian independence and freedom. He further added that along with Mt. Everest and Lumbini, birthplace of Buddha, Gurkhas veterans, who have made contribution for the maintenance of international peace and security in history as well as presently in various parts of the world, belong to Nepal. This is a historical fact and nobody can delete the history.

 Speaking at the programme, Col. James Robinson of Gurkha Brigade of UK, who came all the way from London to participate in the event, said that 10,000 Gurkhas had participated in the war against insurgents during First Emergency in Malaysia. Among them more than three hundred Gurkhas laid down their lives to save Malaysia from insurgency.

 Ambassadors Basnyat and Treadell, among other dignitaries, present on the occasion offered the wreaths at the Cenotaph of Gurkhas and a band contingent of a 35-member Royal Australian Army Navy Air Force Band Association Inc. performed the military musical salutation to the departed souls.

A four-member bagpiper from Brunei stationed Gurkha Regiment, who reached there to participate in the event, played a musical note in memory of fallen Gurkhas.

 Concluding the ceremony, Chairman of the Association Thambipillay expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to Nepali ambassador Basnyat and the government of Nepal for the financial contribution.