Medals for defenders of Malaysia
- By Brendan Pereira in Canberra
- 6th April 2005
MORE than 10,000 current and former Australian service
personnel who fought the communists and helped defend Malaysia during the
Confrontation and Emergency will be given a special medal by the Government.
Called the Pingat Jasa Malaysia, it is aimed at showing how much the
country values the services of the men and women who fought in the jungles
during these two difficult periods in history.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said: "Since we have honoured our
people, the Cabinet felt that we needed to recognise the services of those
from Australia, New Zealand and other Commonwealth countries who have given
much for the security of Malaysia."
Australians who served in certain areas from Aug 31, 1957, to Aug 12, 1966,
and those whose period of service was cut short by death or injury are
eligible for the award.
The PJM is in recognition of their "distinguished chivalry, gallantry,
sacrifice and loyalty to the freedom of independence of Malaysia."
Some 12,000 service personnel fought the communists and faced off with
Indonesian troops during the Confrontation. Dozens lost their lives in both
conflicts.
The Confrontation occurred between 1963 and 1966 after the Federation of
Malaysia came into being.
Indonesia voiced its strong opposition to the Malaysia plan and severed all
diplomatic ties, threatening to crush Malaysia.
Australian units fought as part of the British and Commonwealth forces.
The PJM will be handed over by senior government officials to the families of
those who were killed in battle.