WEST BANGKA -- The Museum Timah Indonesia (MTI) Mentok has once again become an important destination in an international historical visit. This time, the museum, which records the history of tin mining and West Bangka’s past, was visited by a delegation from the Australian Embassy as part of the initial series of commemorations of World War II tragedies.
The Assistant Defense Attaché of the Australian Embassy, William Lang, along with two embassy staff members, visited the town of Mentok, West Bangka Regency, for three days, from January 12 to 14, 2026.
During their stay in Mentok, the delegation visited several historical sites related to World War II, including the Memorial Monument at Tanjung Kalian, Raji Beach as the central commemoration site, Bukit Menumbing, the Mentok Peace Museum, Wisma Ranggam, SD Negeri 1 Mentok Elementary School, and the Museum Timah Indonesia (MTI) Mentok.
Head of the West Bangka Regency Office of Culture and Tourism, Fakhriansah, said the visit by representatives of the Australian Embassy was part of an initial survey ahead of the World War II Tragedy commemoration agenda, which is held annually.
“There were three delegates from the Australian Embassy who came to West Bangka. This visit was preliminary in nature, or a kind of survey, to ensure the readiness of locations that will be used in the commemoration of the World War II Tragedy scheduled for February 16,” Fakhriansah said on Wednesday (1/14/2026).
According to him, the Museum Timah Indonesia Mentok is one of the important locations because it preserves historical evidence that can still be seen directly today.
“At the Museum Timah Indonesia, there are tangible traces of history. This serves as an educational facility as well as concrete evidence of the World War II tragedy in February 1942 that is intended to be shown to the families of the victims and to the Australian public in general,” he explained.
Fakhriansah added that the World War II Tragedy commemoration agenda is an annual program of the Australian Government. In addition to religious purposes and paying respect to the victims, the visit is also part of historical tourism.
“Because this is an annual agenda, they certainly hope to receive a warm welcome. On the other hand, we also consider them tourists who must be served optimally so that the objectives of their visit can be achieved,” he said.
He also mentioned that during previous visits, the Australian Government had provided social contributions, such as assistance to the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) and scholarships for students of the University of Bangka Belitung (UBB).
Furthermore, Fakhriansah expressed hope that PT TIMAH Tbk, through the management of the Museum Timah Indonesia Mentok, would once again provide support and the best possible services during the commemoration of the World War II Tragedy in 2026.
“In previous years, the Museum Timah Indonesia has always warmly welcomed representatives of the Australian Embassy as well as the families of the victims. Our hope is that in 2026, PT TIMAH Tbk will once again provide the best service at the Museum Timah Indonesia Mentok,” he said. (*)
