KUALA LUMPUR: A service of Remembrance was held at Tugu Negara here, the first in recent years after the event was called off in 2020 due to Covid-19 restrictions.

       The British High Commission hosted the annual ceremony yesterday at a reduced scale and by adhering to the SOPs.

       The ceremony was held to recognise and remember the contribution of British, Malaysian, Commonwealth and other international military personnel in the two World Wars and subsequent conflicts.

       Quoting a statement from the British High Commission, Bernama reported that high commissioners, ambassadors and defence advisers and attaches from a number of nations along with representatives from the Malaysian Armed Forces and Malaysian Veterans’ Associations paid silent tribute to those who died in the wars.

       After observing two minutes of silence as a mark of respect for the fallen heroes, the ceremony ended with the traditional laying of wreaths at the base of the Cenotaph, a solemn tribute to those who gave their lives.

       British High Commissioner to Malaysia Charles Hay, in his welcoming address at the service, said this year marked the 76th year since the end of World War II.

       “As we remember those who died, you will find in Malaysia alone over 7,000 headstones in 35 separate locations.

       “Those who lie beneath them were from the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, India, Nepal and elsewhere. They fought shoulder to shoulder and now lie side by side. Many of them remain unidentified,” he said.

       Hay also paid respects to civilians who lost their lives and were involved in the Malayan Emergency (1948-1960) and the Confrontation in the 1960s.

       The service continued with readings by, among others, Captain Antony Stockbridge of the Royal Navy, his first remembrance service in Kuala Lumpur after being appointed as the Defence Advisor three months ago.