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 As a part of the 30th anniversary
of the fall of Saigon, in March this year, some 150 former Vietnamese
refugees from several countries in the world including Australia came
to Malaysia and Indonesia to erect Memorials on the Bidong and Galang
islands where, during the late 70s-90s, nearly half a million
Vietnamese boatpeople stayed temporarily after fleeing the Hanoi ruling
clique.
The Memorials pay tribute to the hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese
asylum seekers who perished while seeking freedom, and also honour the
UNHCR, the Malaysian and Indonesian peoples for helping those who
survived to reach their shores.
One side of the Memorial reads:
“In commemoration of the hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese people who
perished on the way to freedom (1975-1996). Though they died of hunger
or thirst, or being raped, or exhaustion or any other causes, we pray
that they may now enjoy lasting peace. Their sacrifice will never be
forgotten. - OVERSEAS VIETNAMESE COMMUNITIES 2005”
The other side reads:
“In appreciation of the efforts of UNHCR, the Red Cross and the
Indonesian Red Crescent Society and other world relief organizations,
the Indonesian government and people, as well as all countries of first
asylum and resettlement. We also express our gratitude to the thousands
of individuals who worked hard in helping the Vietnamese refugees. -
OVERSEAS VIETNAMESE COMMUNITIES 2005”
The readings are similar on the Memorial erected in Bidong Island.
The inauguration ceremonies were organized very solemnly in both
countries with the presence of representatives of UNHCR, several non
governmental organizations and officials from the local and state
governments. In the evening, the former refugees were also
welcomed in a reception and state dinner.
In early June 2005, the whole overseas Vietnamese communities were
shocked to learn that the Galang Memorial had been dismantled and again
on the 30th of June of the decision of the Malaysian government to
demolish the Bidong Memorial.
Extracts from local newspapers read:
Associated Press, Malaysia Wednesday 15 June 2005
“The Star said the foreign ministry had ordered the Terengganu
government to remove the plaque. Citing unidentified sources, the Star
said the foreign ministry ordered the plaque’s removal after the
Vietnamese government protested.”
Star online – Kuala Terengganu, Wednesday 15 June 2005
“A memorial at the former refugee island of Pulau Bidong has become a
diplomatic issue, following a protest by the Vietnamese government. The
country wants the memorial, erected in March by a group of former
refugees, to be demolished…
It is learnt that the Foreign Ministry has sent a directive to the
Terengganu Government to tear down the plaque…”
The Jakarta Post, Batam 20 June 2005
“The Jakarta Post source, who requested anonymity, has said that the
destruction of the plaque was carried out on the orders of President
Susilo, as conveyed through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the
request of the Vietnamese government. The Vietnamese government
took the view that the wording on the plaque denigrated the dignity of
Vietnam.”
AFP Kuala Lumpur, 30 June 2005
“ ‘We have to take into account the relationship between the Malaysian
and Vietnamese governments on the issue’ state secretary Muhatar
Abdullah told the official Bernama news agency”
The Overseas Vietnamese Communities are not surprised about the
reaction of the Vietnamese communist government.
During the Vietnam War, the communists used a combination of military
force, subversion, propaganda and terrorism to overwhelm the South
Vietnam government and to deceive the whole world. That
propaganda apparatus is now used to persuade the Malaysian and
Indonesian governments to demolish the boatpeople Memorials.
Hanoi regime wants to hide the evidence of the fact that their post-war
policies such as concentration camps, new economic zones, mental
intimidation…which drove millions of people from their homeland and
hundreds of thousands to their death. The demand proves the
regime as being utterly stubborn, immoral and having no respect for the
dead.
The dead, the deceased boat people did exist. The refugees, who
survived, all have relatives or someone they know, disappeared in the
sea. Somewhere in the countries in South East Asia such as
Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand… and in the former refugee camps in
Bidong and Galang, the cemeteries, the mass graves where hundred of
boatpeople were buried are still there. Hundreds of thousands
others lost their life in the South Sea, they died in hunger, in pain,
in despair, in wretchedness, unknown, without a decent burial, a
grave. The ocean was a gigantic mass grave for them.
The Memorials built in Bidong and Galang are the mass entombments for
nearly a million boat people perished at sea. These places will
be forever engraved in the history of mankind as a powerful testament
to the force of humanity, where the innocent victims of a most cruel
tyranny finally were offered solace in the caring hands of the world
community.
The former refugees and religious leaders have returned to those
islands to pray for the soul of the dead and also to express our thanks
to the kindheartedness of the local people who rescued, sheltered and
gave them refuge in their hour of need.
It is shameful that the governments of Malaysia and Indonesia have
given in to the demand of the Hanoi regime to dismantle and demolish
both Memorials. That demand is evil, inhuman, and immoral and the
conduct of the two governments is unacceptable and unforgivable.
The most beautiful thing in the language of human beings is the
expression of thanks and gratitude. From the bottom of our heart, we
say: ‘the people of Malaysia and Indonesia still have our respect and
hope that the gratitude we feel is understood’.
Dr C.T. Bui OAM MD
Former federal president of the Vietnamese Community in Australia
July 2005
REFERENCES
- Vietnamese Community in Australia - Media Release
- 01 July 2005
- Ngo Nhan Dung – Nhung nguoi da chet deu co that –
Nguoi Viet On Line 21 June 2005
- Ngo Nhan Dung translated by Quynh Dao – The Dead Did
Exist - June 2005
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