Big Sikh Presence at KL Remembrance Sunday

Sikh war veterans were present in sizeable numbers at the Remembrance Sunday organised by the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur today.

Some 16 retired Sikh soldiers from Malaysian armed forces, led by Major General (Rt) Ranjit Singh Ramday, took part in the ceremony held at Tugu Negara, or the national monument, this morning (8 Nov 2015).

The retired Sikh soldiers were seated in the front row at the morning function.

Coalition of Malaysian Sikh Organisations (CMSO) secretary general Autar Singh was invited to present a reflection on the Sikh contribution to the war.

The day commemorates those who have died in the name of peace since the end of the First World War.

“It has been many years since I came here,” Major (R) Amarjit Singh, who retired as the Army Institute of Management head of examination and curriculum, told Asia Samachar.

The Sri Dasmesh Pipe Band, which had recently attracted raving media attention in the UK during its Scotland trip earlier this year, was also invited to perform during the ceremony.

The Sikh delegation then joined a breakfast hosted by the British High Commissioner to Kuala Lumpur Vicki Treadell.

“One of the lesser known facts and notable contributions from the Commonwealth in the war was the significant part played by Indian & Sikh soldiers,” according to a booklet distributed at the event.

The ceremony was attended by senior representatives from the Malaysian defence forces, ambassadors and high commissioners, defence advisors from various countries, local societies and uniformed groups.

The Tugu Negara, an idea mooted by Malaysia’s first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahmah, was constructed in 1963 to commemorate the warriors who died defending the sovereignty of the country.