MALAYSIA MEDAL

MOD PRESS RELEASE159/2011  7 NOVEMBER 2011

VETERANS TO WEAR MALAYSIA MEDAL

OFFICIALLY FOR FIRST TIME

British veterans awarded the Pingat Jasa Malaysia (PJM) medal have been given permission by Her Majesty The Queen to wear it for the first time during Remembrance events next Sunday.

The Government of Malaysia introduced the medal in 2005 and awarded it to British and Commonwealth veterans who served in the conflict in Malaya in the late 1950s and 1960s.

Approval is not normally given for foreign medals to be accepted if British recognition for a campaign has already been presented. Previously, veterans had been able to accept but not wear the medal. It has now been agreed they can both accept and wear the PJM.

This was done to recognise the generous gesture by the King and Government of Malaysia, and their wish to award the PJM in recognition of service given by many veterans in the difficult years leading up to and following Malaysian independence.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said:

“I am delighted that Her Majesty The Queen has given approval for veterans to formally wear the Pingat Jasa Malaysia medal in recognition of service given in the difficult years leading up to and following Malaysian independence. This timely decision is particularly welcome for veterans who will, for the first time, be able to wear this medal with pride on Remembrance Sunday.”