Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE starting June 12 2026

Remembering the ANZACS: The story of Australian soldiers’ involvement in the Indonesian Confrontation

The modest War Memorial at Kundasang Sabah, Malaysia commemorates the service of Australian soldiers during the Indonesian Confrontation.

Twenty-three Australian defence personnel died during Indonesian Confrontation while Indonesia list 590 troops. Source: Source: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas

Events at Gallipoli in 1915 marked the birth of the ANAC spirit. However, since then Australian Defence Force personnel have served in manty fields of war. ANZAC Day commemorates the service of those men and women. However, one group that receives little attention are the soldiers who were deployed to Borneo at the time of the Indonesian Confrontation.


Published

By sri dean

Presented by sri dean

Source: SBS




Share this with family and friends


Events at Gallipoli in 1915 marked the birth of the ANAC spirit. However, since then Australian Defence Force personnel have served in manty fields of war. ANZAC Day commemorates the service of those men and women. However, one group that receives little attention are the soldiers who were deployed to Borneo at the time of the Indonesian Confrontation.


Dr Paul Thomas is an affiliate researcher at Monash University and editor of the book Talking North which celebrates the history of the use of Indonesian in Australia.  He talks to Sri Dean about the background to the conflict and the extent of Australia’s seldom discussed involvement

Listen to SBS Indonesian every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 3 pm. Follow us on Facebook and catch us on podcasts.

And you can keep abreast of the latest information about the corona virus in your language at sbs.com.au/coronavirus

In Indonesia’s conflict with Malaysia in 1963 President Soekarno announced he intended to gobble Malaysia “raw.”
The Indonesian Confrontation ended in 1966. Relations between Indonesia, Malaysia (and the Philippines) improved with the formation of ASEAN in 1967. Source: Source: AK Rockefeller /Creative Commons.

Latest podcast episodes

Follow SBS Indonesian

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our exclusive in-language podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS Indonesian News

Watch it onDemand

Watch now