The Australian High Commission in Brunei Darussalam organised a dawn service to mark Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) Day at the Brunei-Australia Memorial at Muara Beach yesterday.
Islamic Chaplain for the Royal Australian Air Force Flight Lieutenant Abdul Kader led the prayer at the service.
It was followed by a speech from Australian High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam Luke Arnold highlighting the psychological burdens faced by many armed forces personnel. He said Australia’s Department of Defence and Veterans Affairs has a programme since 2018 to provide free 24/7 mental health support to current and former Australian defence force members and their families.
The high commissioner also recalled ANZACs landing on June 10, 1945 to help liberate Brunei and Borneo with local, American and allied forces. Among them, 114 Australians lost their lives in the operation.
Japanese Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Maeda Toru in another speech said although Japan and Australia fought against each other 79 years ago, they are now close allies in the region. He said both countries pledge to contribute to peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and work with allies such as Brunei, ASEAN member countries and others.
The ceremony saw the laying of wreaths by high commissioner Arnold and Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Muhammad Haszaimi bin Bol Hassan as well as members of the diplomatic corps.
Commissioner of Royal Brunei Police Force Dato Paduka Seri Haji Mohammad Irwan bin Haji Hambali, RBAF service chiefs, military officials as well as Australia and New Zealand nationals in Brunei were also present at the event. – James Kon
