07/03/2025
INTERNATIONAL 80TH COMMEMORATION OF OPERATION SEMUT PARACHUTE LANDING 1945 IN BARIO, SARAWAK
The International 80th Commemoration of Operation Semut parachute landing, 1945 in Bario will be held on March 25th at the Bario Memorial Park at 10.00am.
The event is to commemorate the landing of parachute troops in Bario under the Semut I operation during the Second World War (WWII). Semut I was tasked with carrying out the Z Special Unit key mission – to establish initial contact with the indigenous people of Borneo, and then train and deploy them as troops to fight against the Japanese forces.
This year, the event includes a re-enactment of Operation Semut 1 Insertion at the drop zone at the Bario Memorial Park.
The event will be graced by representatives from the High Commission of the UK, Australia and New Zealand, veterans and their families from different parts of the world as well as community leaders from Bario and its surroundings.
This annual event that has been held since 2013, sees the attendance of former soldiers and families of the operatives of Semut and local heroes who assisted the Z Special Unit to pay homage to the heroism and bravery towards the fight for freedom which signaled the liberation of Sarawak from the Japanese Occupation during World War 11.
The International 80th Commemoration of Operation Semut Parachute Landing 1945, Bario is organised by Rurum Kelabit Sarawak with support from the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performance Arts Sarawak, Miri Resident’s Office, Miri City Council, Bario Sub-District Office, Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia and Maswings.
Over the years, this Commemoration event has evolved into an international event with participation of veterans and their families coming from such countries as the UK, New Zealand and Australia. The event also sees the participation of the military, local veterans, tourists and the local community.
