The Minister of Maori Development is in Malaysia
to forge trade and cultural links with the South East Asian nation.
Earlier I spoke with reporter Irena Smith
who told me the first order of business
was paying respects to the war dead in Malaysia
and embarking on the first steps to repatriate the soldiers' remains
back to Aotearoa.
The Minister of Maori Development's travelling party
have arrived here in Kuala Lumpur and boy is it scorching hot.
But first on their schedule was paying their respects
to the fallen soldiers who fought in Malaysia.
Preparing the way for the remains of these fallen soldiers
to be repatriated home.
Now there is a certain pathway forward.
Following Maori customs.
For Maori, we do have a part to play in this process,
as do our whanau.
The most important things is to not forget
our traditional practices
when these bodies are exhumed and then repatriated home.
Adrian Thomas died here in Malaysia in 1956
and he has rested here since then.
It's been a really hard time for the whanau and I.
He was only 21 when he died.
He's been resting here in Malaysia now for 61 years.
And for a lot of that time Paul Thomas
has been fighting the Government to bring his brother home.
I'm still in mourning.
Eight NZ soldiers lay here in Cherase
and you can feel the sadness in the atmosphere
for those who rest far away from home.
But Adrian Thomas' brother is feeling joy right now
that he is able to bring his brother home.
I'm happy.
However, I am really angry at how long it has taken
for the Government to consent
to allowing us to repatriate our beloved fallen.
Monuments like these that stand in the middle of Kuala Lumpur
stand as a reminder of Malaysia's history
and the soldiers who helped them maintain the peace
and retain their sovereignty.
Those who are resting here are much beloved
and have never been forgotten,
including this place.
The caretakers have also grieved for them.
They're far away from home,
but no one has stopped talking about them.
But for this Maori soldier,
his family hope to expedite requirements
to quickly return their boy back to his true resting place.
May the beloved fallen rest in love.
With the formalities completed,
attention turns to the needs of living Maori,
namely trade and tomorrow night
NZ's milk will be the most important commodity
being celebrated here tomorrow.
Irena Smith in Malaysia.