Balikpapan – PT Pertamina Hulu Kalimantan Timur (PHKT), in collaboration with the Australian Embassy in Indonesia, organized a Dawn Service ceremony to commemorate ANZAC Day 2026 at the Pasir Ridge Complex, Balikpapan, on April 25 2026. The commemoration was further enriched by the presence of the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Rod Brazier.

The event was attended by representatives of the East Kalimantan Provincial Government, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), SKK Migas Kalimantan and Sulawesi Representative Office, the Balikpapan City Government, including the Social Affairs Office, the Education and Culture Office of Balikpapan City, and the Cultural Heritage Preservation Center Region XIV of East Kalimantan, as well as PHKT management. The presence of government representatives from both Indonesia and Australia reflects the strong relationship between the two nations in preserving historical values and promoting peace.

ANZAC Day, commemorated annually on April 25, is a national day in Australia and New Zealand to honor the sacrifices of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) troops who first landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey in 1915 during World War I. Over time, the commemoration has evolved into a moment to honor all soldiers who have fallen in various military operations, as well as their contributions to maintaining global peace.

In Balikpapan, this commemoration holds its own historical significance. A total of 229 Australian soldiers lost their lives during Operation Oboe Two in July 1945, an effort to liberate Balikpapan from Japanese occupation. The operation also played a crucial role in securing strategic infrastructure, including the airfield, now known as Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman (SAMS) Sepinggan International Airport.

General Manager of PHKT, Darmapala, expressed his appreciation for the trust placed in PHKT to support the organization of the event at Pasir Ridge. “PHKT remains committed to strengthening synergy with various stakeholders while preserving historical sites in Balikpapan, particularly during the commemoration of ANZAC Day,” he stated.

In his remarks, the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Rod Brazier, emphasized that the commemoration is not only a reflection of history but also a reminder of the universal values that continue to connect both nations. “ANZAC Day is not only about remembering those who have fallen, but also about the values they stood for—courage, resilience, friendship, and sacrifice, which continue to unite the people of Australia and Indonesia,” he said.

The dawn ceremony was conducted in a solemn atmosphere, further enhanced by its location in a historic area with the Matilda Tank Monument as its backdrop, situated within the Pasir Ridge Complex. The monument marks a former Japanese defensive position that was successfully captured by Allied forces during Operation Oboe Two in 1945.

The series of activities concluded with a wreath-laying ceremony, followed by a moment of reflection as a tribute to the fallen soldiers. The ANZAC Day commemoration also serves as a reminder that the freedom and peace enjoyed today are the result of past sacrifices. This spirit lives on in the enduring phrase “Lest We Forget,” a commemorative expression meaning “so that we do not forget,” commonly used across Commonwealth nations to honor military sacrifices.

PT Pertamina Hulu Kalimantan Timur (PHKT) is one of the subsidiaries of PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia (PHI) in zona 10, managing upstream oil and gas operations in accordance with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles in the East Kalimantan & Attaka Working Areas. As a Production Sharing Contract Contractor for the Government of Indonesia, represented by SKK Migas, PHKT, together with other PHI subsidiaries and affiliates, continues to implement various innovations and technological applications to deliver safe, efficient, reliable, compliant, and environmentally friendly energy, supporting the sustainability of national oil and gas production and realizing #EnergiKalimantanUntukIndonesia. For more information about PHKT and PHI, please visit https://phi.pertamina.com/.