Penang Veterans Remembrance Day
MACVs at the 18th Annual Penang Remembrance Day.

18th Annual Penang Remembrance Day
19 Nov 2019
The 18th Annual Remembrance Day Ceremony was held on the morning of 17 November 2019 at the Cenotaph, Esplanade, Penang. MACVA were again invited by the President of Penang Veterans’ Association Maj R. Sivarajan (Rtd) to attend this year event. 25 MACVs were present at the ceremony led by Northern Chapter Chairman Capt Tei Poey Eong RMAF (Rtd).

The Guest of Honour was Penang Chief Minister YAB Chow Kon Yeow and His Excellency The British High Commissioner to Malaysia Charles Hay. Other parties that attended the ceremony includes High Commissions and Embassies representatives, local veterans groups and corporate companies.

The Ceremony begin at 7.30 am with the mounting of the Catafalque Party, the National anthem and State anthem. This was followed by the Penang Veterans President welcoming speech and addresses by His Excellency The British High Commissioner and The Chief Minister of Penang.

The Wreath Laying Ceremony begins after the Last post, observing 2 minutes silence and the Rouse. The Ceremony was full of meaning and military tradition. On completion of the ceremony, the Catafalque Party was dismounted and function ended with a tea reception.

Salute to Sim Boon Lee who attended the event for the 2nd year on his wheelchair with his wife showing great camaraderie and resolute. Kudos to Northern Chapter for organising his trip. MACVA would like to express its sincere gratitude to the Penang Veterans Association for the invitation and BZ for a well organised and successful function.

More than 100 guests at the event. MACVs in their seats during the ceremony.

MACVs saluting after laying wreath.. Leong Swee Thin with Sri Damesh Pipe Band.

MACVs with Sim Boon Lee. MACVs Group Photo at Esplanade.
Jeremiah laying a wreath for his fallen comrades at the Cenotaph. — Photos: LIM BENG TATT/The Star.

Honouring fallen war heroes
By Rena Lim Wednesday, 20 Nov 2019
GREY and cloudy skies added to the solemn mood as 520 people honoured fallen heroes at the 18th Remembrance Day ceremony at the Esplanade in Penang.

Among them was a man who fought during the Japanese Occupation in World War II and the Malayan Campaign.

James Jeremiah, now 95, is the only surviving WWII veteran of the Eurasian ‘E’ company of Penang, a volunteer force similar to the British Home Guard.

Jeremiah said that this could be his last year taking part in the ceremony, considering his age.

“I have lived through bad times and now, better times.

Members of the Malaysian Armed Forces Chinese Veterans Association and other veterans posing at the Cenotaph.

“As we honour the dead, I hope that people will also take a moment to commemorate the living who survived the war.

“I hope young ones today will cherish the freedom we fought for in the war, ” he said when met at the ceremony at the Cenotaph on Sunday.

The event, organised by Penang Veterans’ Association (PVA), was held to show gratitude to the fallen heroes of World War I, World War II and other armed conflicts.

Its president Mej (R) R. Sivarajan, who is now retired, said millions of servicemen and civilians died in World War I from 1914 to 1918 and World War II from 1939 to 1945.

“The tombstones of the fallen heroes in our country are a concrete evidence of their sacrifices for a better world of freedom for us, ” he said in a speech at the ceremony.

Sivarajan said that during the Malayan Campaign in World War II, a total of 1,345 Malayan troops and policemen lost their lives defending the country.

“At that time, other forces from Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Southern Rhodesia, Fiji and the Nepalese Gurkhas came to our assistance and they lost 519 troops.

“Thousands of civilians too lost their lives as the Malayan Campaign lasted for 12 long years and ended in 1960.

A band playing ‘Amazing Grace’ and ‘‘The Flower of Scotland’ with bagpipes at the 18th Remembrance Day ceremony at the Cenotaph at the Esplanade.

“This was one of the few successful counter insurgency operations in the world and we appreciate those involved, not forgetting those who did not make it home, ” Sivarajan said.

He said Malaysians below 60 years of age would have little or no knowledge of the sacrifices by the veterans.

“We have to revive memories so that we do not take for granted the peace we enjoy, ” he added.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said World War I and World War II hampered nations’ progress and resulted in loss of human lives.

“I hope there will never be another military conflict as we are peace-loving people.

“Wars are too costly for not only human lives are lost but also property and the environment are damaged, hampering well-being and progress.

“In the last 60 years since the end of the Malayan Campaign, we have achieved so much without conflicts.

“Let us not take this freedom for granted as it was obtained through blood, sweat and tears of the heroes, ” he said in his speech.

During the ceremony, all guests observed two full minutes of silence, one minute for the fallen ones and one minute for those who returned.

Afterwards, they took turns to lay wreaths at the foot of the cenotaph as a symbol of appreciation for the fallen soldiers.

Those present were from the British High Commission and High Commissions of Nepal, Canada, Fiji, the Consul Embassies of Britain, Canada, Denmark, the defence advisors of United Kingdom, India and Australia as well as members of the New Zealand Army with veterans from the Naval Association of Australia in Western Australia.

Other guests honouring the fallen soldiers were Butterworth Integrated Area Defence System deputy commander Brigadier-General Thong Veng Leong and commanding officer of KD Sri Pinang Commander Lui Poh Hin.

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MACVs at the 17th Annual Penang Remembrance Day.

17th Annual Penang Remembrance Day
20 Nov 2018
The 17th Annual Remembrance Day Ceremony was held on the morning of 18 November 2018 at the Cenotaph, Esplanade, Penang. MACVA were invited by the President of Penang Veterans’ Association to attend the ceremony. A group of 37 MACVs attended the ceremony this year led by Northern Chapter Chairman Capt Tei Poey Eong RMAF (Rtd). This year ceremony celebrates a hundred years since the First Remembrance Day at the Cenotaph, Esplanade since 1918 and also marks the 3rd year that MACVA is attending the ceremony.

The Guest of Honour was Penang Chief Minister YAB Chow Kon Yeow and Her Excellency The British High Commissioner to Malaysia Vicki Treadell. Other parties that attended the ceremony includes High Commissions and Embassies representatives, local veterans groups and corporate companies.

The Ceremony begin with the arrival of the Chief Minister at 7.30 am followed by the mounting of the Catafalque Party, National anthem - Negara Ku and State anthem - Untuk Negeri Ku. This was followed by the Penang Veterans President, Maj Sivarajan KM Ramanathan (Rtd) welcoming speech and addresses by Her Excellency The British High Commissioner and The Chief Minister of Penang.

The Wreath Laying Ceremony begins after the Reading of the ODE, Song Dedication for the Fallen Heroes, the Last post, observing 2 minutes silence and the Rouse. The Ceremony was full of meaning and military tradition. On completion of the ceremony, the Catafalque Party was dismounted and function ended at 10.30 am with a tea reception.

Salute to MACV Sim Boon Lee who attended the event on his wheelchair together with his wife and 2 grandchildren demonstrating great determination and resolve. Kudos to Northern Chapter for organising a most memorable trip for him. MACVA would like to express its sincere gratitude to the Penang Veterans Association for the invitation and kudos for a well organised and successful function.

Penang Chief Minister YAB Chow Kon Yeow giving his speech. Tei Poey Eong taking his seat with VIP guests.

MACVs in their seats during the event. Lim Wai Fah with Bag Piper's of DASMESH.

Salute to Sim Boon Lee who attended the event on his wheelchair. Tei Poey Eong paying respect with PERIM members after laying wreath representing the President and MACVA members.
(L to R) Maj Leong Swee Teng (Rtd), Maj Wong Kwai Yinn (Rtd), WO 1 Ang Kee Lam RMAF (Rtd), Lt Col Chua Eng Lye (Rtd), Maj David Chow (Rtd) and SAC Kok Ching Huat RMAF (Rtd).

16th Annual Penang Remembrance Day
21 Nov 2017
The 16th Annual Remembrance Day Ceremony was held on the Sunday morning of 19 November 2017 at the Cenotaph, Esplanade, Penang. MACVA were invited by the President of Penang Veterans’ Association to attend the ceremony. The High Commissions and Embassies who also attended the Ceremony includes UK and Ireland, Australia, Fiji, Nepal, India, New Zealand, Canada, and Malaysia.

The Guest of Honour was YAB Tuan Lim Guan Eng, Chief Minister of Penang and representing Her Excellency The British High Commissioner was Col Stephen Hall, British Defence Advisor to Malaysia. Other parties that attended the ceremony includes local veterans groups, corporate companies and interested families.

The Ceremony begin with the arrival of the Chief Minister at 7.30 am followed by the mounting of the Catafalque Party, National anthem and State anthem. This was followed by the Penang Veterans President, Maj Sivarajan KM Ramanathan(Rtd) welcoming speech and addresses by Col Stephen Hall and Chief Minister of Penang.

The Wreath Laying Ceremony begins after the Reading of the ODE, Song Dedication for the Fallen Heroes, the Last post, observing 2 minutes silence and the Rouse. The Ceremony was elegant, full of meaning and military tradition. The function ended at 10.00 am with light refreshment. Kudos to the Penang Veterans Association for a well organised and successful function.

MACVs at the event includes:-
Lt Col Chua Eng Lye (Rtd),
Maj David Chow (Rtd),
Maj Leong Swee Teng (Rtd),
Maj Wong Kwai Yinn (Rtd),
Maj Lee Hock Sun (Rtd),
WO 1 Ang Kee Lam RMAF (Rtd) and
SAC Kok Ching Huat RMAF (Rtd).


(L to R) Lt Col EL Chua (Rtd), Lt Col Raymond Goh (Rtd), Lt Col Fabian Wong (Rtd), Maj HS Lee (Rtd) and Capt Norman Chong (Rtd)

The Cenotaph, Esplanade, Penang
27 Nov 2016
1. The Penang Veterans’ Annual Remembrance Day for year 2016 falls on 27 November, and MACVA were invited by the President of Penang Veterans’ Association to attend the ceremony in Penang. This will be the 15th Annual Remembrance Day Ceremony. The High Commissions and Embassies who also attended the Ceremony are; UK and Ireland, Australia, Fiji, Nepal, India, New Zealand, Canada, Rhodesia and Malaysia.

Other parties that attended the ceremony are, PERKIM, MACVA, Gurkhas Association, local veterans groups, some corporate companies and interested families. Our Navy provided the Master of Ceremony and the flag raiser, whilst our local Army unit provided the buglers. The Catafalque party was provided by the 19 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force.

2. Lt Col Fabian Wong (Rtd) from Kuching, Lt Col Raymond Goh (Rtd) from Kuala Lumpur, Lt Col EL Chua (Rtd) from Ipoh, Maj HS Lee (Rtd) and Capt Norman Chong (Rtd) from Penang represented MACVA for the Penang Veterans’ Remembrance Day Ceremony. MACVA members not from Penang arrived at Penang on the 26 November 2016. Maj Lee HS (Rtd) and Capt Norman Chong (Rtd) played excellent host.

On completion of the ceremony, the Deputy President, Lt Col EL Chua (Rtd) and Capt Norman Chong (Rtd) drove to Sungei Petani to visit Maj ST Leong (Rtd), who hosted a great lunch. Kudos to all MACVA members of the Northern Chapters. We all could feel the spirit of MACVA.

3. The Penang Veterans Annual Remembrance Day Ceremony started right on the dot at 0730 am with the arrival of Penang Chief Minister. This is followed by the mounting of the Catafalque, National anthem and State anthem. The Penang Veterans President, Maj Sivarajan KM Ramanathan(Rtd) gave the welcoming address. The Defence Advisor of the British High Commissioner, Col Stephen Hall was next to address the crowd and followed by the Chief Minister’s Address. The reading of the ODE was done by Group Captain Wendy Horder of Australian High Commission.

Following a dedicated song for the Fallen Heroes, the last post was played. After 2 minutes silence, the rouse was played. Wreath Laying Ceremony was then conducted by the High Commisions and Embassies, Veterans Associations, Corporate bodies, and interested families. MACVA was the 19th group to lay the Wreath. The function ended at 1000 am with tea.

4. Overall the Ceremony can be described as simple, elegant and full of military tradition. The occasion is well organize and kudos to the Penang Veterans Association for a successful function. We should continue to subscribe yearly to this ceremony. We should also subscribe to other Remembrance Day Ceremony such as the Little Acre in Batu Gajah, and others if and when invited.

Lt Col Chua Eng Lye (Rtd)

30 Nov 16