Dato Lim receiving his award from Ms Clare Gatehouse (Photo credit – Australian High Commission in Malaysia)
This year, three Malaysian nationals were recognised under Australia’s honours system – the Order of Australia.
The Order of Australia recognises Australians who have demonstrated outstanding service or exceptional achievement. Non-citizens can be recognised through honorary awards.
On June 22, 2023, on behalf of the Australian High Commissioner HE Dr Justin Lee, Chargé d’Affaires Ms Clare Gatehouse bestowed Dato’ Lim Kian Hock with an Honorary Medal of the Order of Australian (OAM).
The investiture ceremony took place at the Australian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur. Dato Lim was recognised for his service to Australia-Malaysia relations, particularly for commemorating the role played by Australians in Sarawak, Malaysia, during World War II.
Dato Lim’s passion and advocacy for bilateral relations between Malaysia and Australia has contributed to the relationship between the two countries, particularly in the sphere of military service.
For decades, Dato Lim has dedicated himself to commemorating the Australian Armed Forces, and those who served alongside them, in World War II. His work in the Sarawak Tourism Federation History and Heritage Development Committee is a reflection of his larger vision of documenting this history and paying homage to all the Allied Prisoners of War and the Australian Army Liberators who entered Sarawak during the occupation to finally bring freedom to local people.
In 2013, he campaigned and advocated for the permanent recognition of the Australian Z-Units for their gallantry, with the support of the Bario Rurum Kelabit Committee and Communities, the Malaysian Armed Forces, the Sarawak Tourism Federation (STF) Heritage Development Committee, the late Jack
Tredrea, the commando’s families and friends, and all well-wishers.
Dato Lim is held in high esteem by Australian World War II veterans and their families who acknowledge his efforts in “keeping the spirit of the ANZAC alive in Sarawak.”
Without Dato Lim’s dedication and commitment, and the strong support of the Committee, the STF Heritage Development Committee, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Sarawak Museum, Kuching City Councils of Kuching South and Kuching North, the Royal Malaysian Police, the Malaysian Armed Forces and their veterans, Government Departments, and Agencies, the Borneo Exhibitions Group Inc.(BEG) W.A and authors of wartime history, much of Sarawak wartime history, including the Australian war component, would have been forgotten and lost.
On May 8, 2023, the Australian High Commissioner HE Dr Justin Lee bestowed General Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Hj Affendi Buang, Malaysia’s Chief of Defence Force, with his Honorary Officer (AO) of the Order of Australia (Military Division). Australia’s Chief of the Defence Force, General Angus J. Campbell AO, DSC also attended the investiture ceremony, which took place at the Australian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur.
General Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Hj Affendi was recognised for his distinguished service to strengthening the defence relationship between Australia and Malaysia through commitment, leadership and strategic foresight as the Malaysian Chief of Defence Force. General Affendi has long been an advocate of strengthening the bilateral defence relationship between Australia and Malaysia. He has championed Australia’s presence in Malaysia and its participation in the Five Power Defence Arrangements, actively supporting the maintenance of defence engagement with Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic, and enhancing interoperability and cooperation between the Australian Defence Force and the Malaysian Armed Forces.
On April 24, 2023, the Australian High Commissioner HE Dr Justin Lee bestowed Mr Tham Yau Kong ASDK with his Honorary Medal in the General Division of the Order of Australia (OAM). The ceremony took place in Sandakan following ANZAC Day commemorations.
Tham was recognised for his service to commemorating the sacrifice of Australian prisoners of war in Malaysia, particularly along the Sandakan-Ranau death march (1942-1945).
During World War II, almost 2,500 prisoners of war (POWs) tragically died in Sabah, including more than 1,000 of whom lost their lives on the infamous death marches. 1,800 of these were Australian.
Tham Yau Kong ASDK, a highly respected tour guide and expert jungle trekker, has been integral in shining a light on the bravery and endurance of these POWs.
Tham self-funded a rediscovery trek of the Sandakan-Ranau death march and helped to establish several memorials along the route. In 2006, the Australian Defence Force recognised the importance of what Tham had achieved by sending a delegation to be the first Australians to walk across the “lost” section of the track since 1947. Since that first trek, Tham has worked tirelessly to bring the death march story to a wider audience by establishing a cycling route along the lower part of the track, creating programs aimed at students and regularly lecturing local guides on the importance of bringing the war history to Australians and Malaysians alike.
Source – Australian High Commission in Malaysia