Balikpapan – PT Pertamina Hulu Kalimantan Timur (PHKT) held a Dawn Service ceremony to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Australian and New Zealand troops landing in Balikpapan in late April. The event took place at Pasir Ridge Complex, Balikpapan City. It was attended by the Governor of East Kalimantan, represented by the Provincial Secretary Sri Wahyuni, representatives from the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Chairperson and members of the Indonesian Veterans Legion/Legiun Veteran Republik Indonesia (LVRI) Balikpapan Branch, and Captain Damnod Radford from the Australian Army Unit.

This commemoration honored the sacrifice of 229 Australian soldiers who fell during Operation Oboe Two in July 1945, a mission aimed at liberating the island of Kalimantan from Japanese occupation. The operation secured a strategic airfield in Balikpapan, now known as Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman (SAMS) Sepinggan International Airport. Through the 2025 Anzac Day ceremony, PHKT reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the values of history, bravery, the end of colonization, and peace.

Zona 10 General Manager, Yoseph Agung Prihartono, who was present and received a token of appreciation from the Anzac Day organizing committee chairman, expressed his gratitude for Pasir Ridge being chosen as the ceremonial site. The area houses the Matilda Tank monument, a historical marker of the Japanese army's defense in Balikpapan 80 years ago.  “In line with the Collaborative value in AKHLAK culture, PHKT is fully open to building synergistic partnerships with various stakeholders, including the Balikpapan Office of Youth, Sports, and Tourism, which is currently developing historical tourism destinations in the city as one of its key programs,” he said in closing.

Representing the event committee, Kenneth Morris delivered a heartfelt speech, saying, “Today, we stand on sacred ground, a land that witnessed the relentless struggle of soldiers whose lives have become a part of our shared history. This is a moment of reflection, a time to imagine their sacrifices on this harsh battlefield.”

Deputy Ambassador of Australia to Indonesia, Todd Dias, also shared a meaningful message, “This commemoration is not just about the battles they fought, but about why they fought. They fought to free this land from oppression and to pave the way for a better future. Their sacrifice is a legacy we must never forget.”

As a gesture of appreciation and respect to the host of the 2025 Anzac Day commemoration, Kenneth Morris and Deputy Ambassador Todd Dias presented a souvenir to Zona 10 General Manager Yoseph Agung Prihartono, acknowledging his support for the early-morning ceremony held at sunrise in Central Indonesia Time.

The Anzac Day commemoration held on Thursday, April 25, 2024, served as a remembrance of historical events and a powerful reminder that the freedom and peace we enjoy today were earned through the sacrifices of heroes. Their spirit and courage live on in our memory, as echoed in the phrase: “Lest We Forget.”

PT Pertamina Hulu Kalimantan Timur (PHKT) is a subsidiary of PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia (PHI) responsible for managing upstream oil and gas operations in alignment with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles in the East Kalimantan & Attaka Work Area. Collaborating with SKK Migas, PHKT, and other PHI subsidiaries and affiliates, continuously innovate and apply advanced technologies to produce safe, efficient, reliable, compliant, and environmentally friendly energy, contributing to #EnergiKalimantanUntukIndonesia. For more information about PHI, visit https://phi.pertamina.com.