WEST BANGKA -- Families of victims of World War II who come from Australia, England, and New Zealand visited the Muntok Indonesian Tin Museum (MTI) in West Bangka Regency, Bangka Belitung Islands Province, Friday (17/2/2023).
Their arrival at MTI Muntok, which is managed by PT Timah Tbk, is part of a series of activities commemorating the tragedy of World War II. Previously, the delegation from the Australian, British, and New Zealand Embassies had held a memorial service for the victims of World War 2 at Raji Beach and Tanjung Kalian Beach.
Every year, MTI Muntok, which holds various tin mining histories, is always visited by the Embassies of Australia, Britain, and New Zealand. This is because MTI Muntok has a special gallery about Vivian Bullwinkel, a World War II victim.
Families of victims of World War II who came to MTI Muntok were very touched by the warm welcome of MTI Muntok and PT Timah Tbk with various supports in commemorating the events of World War II.
Judi Balcombe, one of the Families of the Victims of World War 2 who has visited the Museum 10 times, is moved and proud that PT Timah has established the Muntok Indonesian Tin Museum.
"I am very pleased and impressed with this museum, it is beautiful here, it is very informative to tell how to process tin. I was touched when I saw the Vivian Bulwinkle gallery because it reminded the tragedy of World War 2 and this involved our family," he said.
"We feel honored that this museum provides a place, Vivian Bullwinkel, to commemorate the tragedy of World War II," he continued.
His party also appreciates PT Timah Tbk for establishing MTI Muntok and even preparing a particular gallery to commemorate events that are part of history.
"We thank PT Timah, it has accommodated a lot, cared about the tragedy of World War II. I am very happy that this museum is educational for school children, they can find out about the history that has happened in the city of Muntok," he said.
In the same vein, Arlene Bennet, another victim's family, said they were very happy with the support given by PT Timah Tbk during their visit to Muntok.
"We are very happy to visit here, PT Timah is very open and supports activities to commemorate the victims of World War II," he said.
Like Jessie (14), one of the victims' families admitted that he had followed his parents to commemorate the events of World War II.
"Besides wanting to know the story of World War II, the victims of our family. I really like going to the Museum, there are many things that have never been seen anywhere else," said Jessie. (**)
