Penang Veterans Remembrance Day

Penang Remembrance Day 3 Dec 2023
This annual event organised by the Persatuan Veteran Keselamatan Pulau Pinang was held on the 3 Dec 2023 at the Cenotaph War Memorial, Esplanade, Pulau Pinang. This is the 22nd Remembrance Day Ceremony since the first one in 2001. A special praise to the Organising Chairman Mr Kenneth Sinclair Speldewinde and his working committees for tirelessly organising the event despite the short time available because of major renovation works at the cenotaph.

Approximately 100 MACVA members from Central and Northern Chapter (NC) attended the very historic and well organized event. Hon Treasurer Mary Koh, NC Chapter Head Ng Chor Huat and Dato’ Chen Jen Ping represented MACVA at laying of the wreaths. Also present was former President BGD Datuk Goh Seng Toh , VP RMAF John Phoon Khai Meng, CM RMAF Pui Seng Tai and all NC Committee members and its members that made up the total count from MACVA. Deputy Chief Minister II of Penang YB Jagdeep Singh Deo represented the Chief Minister of Penang, on behalf of the government and the people of Penang.

The atmosphere was colourful with representation from Penang State Government, High Commissioners, Ambassadors, Defence Advisors, Veteran Associations, Societies and the general public. In his speech YB Jagdeep expressed that he is honoured to be at the Annual Remembrance Day in solidarity with those present, to remember and appreciate the sacrifices of those who gave their lives, so we could enjoy the peace and freedom today.

Report By: Mary Koh
7 Dec 2023

Veterans at the Annual Remembrance Day 2022. Seated LR: Sim Boon Lee, CM YAB Chow Kon Yeow

Annual Remembrance Day 2022
30 Nov 2022
This year Annual Remembrance Day Ceremony was held on 27 November 2022 at the Cenotaph, Esplanade, Penang. MACVs were represented by President Dato' Lee Kwang Lock and;
Datuk Goh Seng Toh, former President and Datin Boy,
Honsec Tony Ho,
Hon Tresurer Mary Koh,
Northern Chapter Chairman Ng Chor Huat,
CM/Ipoh Chapter Wong Kwai Yinn,
CM Chu Ee Sin,
CM John Phoon Khai Meng,
CM Richard Moh,
CM Ng Joo Chay and
Northern Chapter members.

MACVA was the latest group representation with more than 30 members. The Guest of Honour was Penang Chief Minister YAB Chow Kon Yeow. Also presents were foreign High Commissions, Ambassadors, Embassies representatives, local veterans groups and corporate companies.

The Ceremony begin at 7.55 am with the mounting of the Catafalque Party, the National anthem and State anthem. This was followed by the Penang Veterans President Maj R. Sivarajan (Rtd) welcoming speech and addresses by Mr Andrew Bowes, representing His Excellency The British High Commissioner and The Chief Minister of Penang.

The Wreath Laying Ceremony begins after the Dedication to the Fallen Heroes, the Last post, observing 2 minutes silence and the Rouse. The Ceremony was conducted with awe and veneration. On completion of the ceremony, the Catafalque Party was dismounted and function ended with a breakfast reception.

Salute to Sim Boon Lee who attended the event for the 3rd time on his wheelchair showing great resolute and thank you to Northern Chapter for organising his trip and members present. MACVA would like to express its sincere gratitude to the President of Penang Veterans Association and the Organising Committee for the invitation to a well organised and great function.

Diplomatic Guests at the event.
Dato' Lee Kwang Lock laying wreath.
Ng Chor Huat laying wreath.
Mary Koh and Wong Kwai Yinn laying wreath.
MACVA Team saluting after performing wreath laying.
MACVs Group Photo at Esplanade.
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.
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