RRI.CO.ID, Tanjung Selor - The shared wartime history between Australia and Indonesia will take center stage as Australian Deputy Ambassador to Indonesia, Gita Kamath, prepares to visit a historic monument in Tarakan, North Kalimantan.

During her working visit to the province, Kamath scheduled a significant stop at the Australian Monument located within the District Military Command (Kodim) 0907/Tarakan headquarters. The site serves as a poignant reminder of the Australian soldiers who lost their lives in the region during World War II.

Speaking after a meeting with North Kalimantan Governor, Zainal A. Paliwang, in Tanjung Selor on Wednesday, May 7, 2026, the Deputy Ambassador underscored the deep historical resonance of the site. Situated on Jalan Pulau Kalimantan, near the Tarakan Mayor’s office, the monument is regarded by the Australian government as a vital symbol of the enduring bond between the two nations.

“We will go to Tarakan because at Kodim 0907 there is an Australian monument commemorating Australian troops who fell during the Second World War in Tarakan,” she said, as quoted by Antara.

The Deputy Ambassador emphasized that the era of conflict created a unique bridge between the two populations that persists today. “There is a very special bond between the people of Australia and Indonesia during the Second World War. We will certainly visit this monument,” she added.

The visit to this historical landmark provides a cultural and emotive backdrop to a broader diplomatic mission focused on modern bilateral cooperation.

Beyond honoring the past, Kamath’s presence in North Kalimantan is part of a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation tour of key Australian-Indonesian partnership programs. These include the Synergy and Collaboration for Acceleration of Basic Services (SKALA) program, which she reviewed at the Samsat Bulungan office, and the Innovation for Indonesia’s School Children (INOVASI) program at SDN 015 Tanjung Selor.

By balancing the commemoration of shared history with the evaluation of contemporary development initiatives, the visit reinforces Australia’s multifaceted commitment to its partnership with Indonesia. ***