FOR some, it might just be another foreign medal, a mere trinket that
could have been consigned to history when the war ended in the Far East some
four decades ago.
In fact, the younger generation of Britons might not even be aware that
their countrymen had helped fight off communists and insurgents in Malaysia
during the Emergency and Confrontation periods.
But for some 35,000 British war veterans, the Pingat Jasa Malaysia (PJM)
was more than an award; it was a symbol of their success in the fight against
terror even in those days.
FINAL MISSION: (From left): Law, Alders and Fleming with their
campaign lapel badges outside Buckingham Palace before handing their
petition to the Queen. — Pictures courtesy of Fight4thePJM Campaign
group
Yes, it was a war, a real war out there. It was definitely not for the
squeamish and neither was it for the foolhardy.
The blood of many soldiers was shed in the campaign to help Malaysia
preserve its newly-won independence between 1957 and 1966.
Over a period of nine years, several thousand lives were lost, and the
campaign remained the sole example of a victory against communism and
terrorism.
Thus one can imagine the war veterans’ ignominy when the British
Government – at the stroke of a pen – announced that they would not be allowed
to wear the medals.
Many were devastated by the decision of the powers-that-be who said that
wearing the medals would compromise the integrity of the imperial honours
system.
Of course, the old soldiers are not about to give up without a fight; one
they had never expected in the first place but which they intended to emerge
from proudly wearing the medal.
BADGE OF HONOUR: More than 500 specially-designed lapel badges have
been made to promote The Fight4thePJM Campaign.
Pingat Kami - Hak Kami
As Barry Fleming put it succinctly: “We're not out for fame, power or
political positions. We're just ordinary people who wish to wear our medal
with pride and dignity.”
As founder of the Fight4thePJM Campaign to champion their case, Fleming
can take comfort that their cause has attracted widespread support.
“We’re received more than 50,000 hits since our website (www.fight4thePJM.org)
was launched a few months ago,” he said.
The group has produced more than 500 specially-designed lapel badges with
the motto “Pingat Kami – Hak Kami (Our Medal – Our Right)” to promote
the campaign.
From the private soldier right up to a field marshal – including two
holders of the Victoria Cross, Britain's highest award for gallantry – the
campaign's army of supporters has extended to all five continents.
The controversy erupted after the British Committee on the Grants of
Honours, Decorations and Medals ruled that British citizens could accept the
Malaysian medals but would not be allowed to wear them.
The recommendation was made following the Government's announcement in the
House of Lords last year that it would refuse such awards for its citizens on
the basis that they were contrary to the nation's medals policy.
Ironically, Australia and New Zealand have accepted the medals without any
restriction for their citizens – after they had been approved by the Queen on
the advice of the Commonwealth country concerned where she is head of state.
Last month, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak conferred the
awards to the first batch of 40 British ex-servicemen, who included a field
marshal, two generals, a major-general and two brigadier-generals.
Fleming, who together with comrades Gerald Law and Paul Alders submitted a
petition to Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace recently, said he was
confident the Queen would use her power to influence the change.
“I cannot believe that the Queen would seek to divide the Commonwealth. At
the end of the day, her influence will be very important,” he said, describing
her as the “fountain of all honours.”
Crystal clear
Law, who celebrated his 21st birthday on board an oil tanker in Singapore
in 1964, said he had a lasting impression of Malaysians as “friendly,
hospitable and courteous.”
“It is as much for my feelings for Malaysia as for my personal pride that
I’m campaigning for the right to wear the medal,” he said.
Law, who was a member of a fighter squadron based in Singapore, Labuan and
Sarawak, had also conducted mercy flights ferrying the sick from remote
kampungs to Kuching hospital.
Alders, on the other hand, was proud of the fact that he had provided
vital logistics support as a Royal Air Force ground staff in Singapore,
Kuantan, Kuching and Labuan between 1963 and 1965.
“Those days, it took more than 100 men – from cooks and clerks to
mechanics and paramedics – to keep one pilot in the air,” he declared
proudly.
Undoubtedly, most of the war veterans would have vivid memories of their
unforgettable yet at times life-threatening stints in the distant land.
In their twilight years, it is sad that they would still have to wage one
last battle to correct what they see as an injustice inflicted upon them.
Their no-holds barred, no-nonsense website encapsulates their mission with
the message: “We have no sponsors, no political or commercial affiliations.
“We’re funding and publishing this website ourselves, and so you see us as
we are - warts and all!”
Simple yet poignant, it is a stark contrast to the bureaucratic spins and
swirling myths shrouding what many see as a straight-forward, crystal clear
case.
Hopefully, at the end of the day, a robust political will and good sense
will prevail in resolving the issue on a happy note.
After all, it will not cost the British Government a single penny but will
provide a great boost to the prevailing goodwill and friendship between the
two countries.
Choi Tuck Wo is Editor, European Union Bureau, based in London (e-mail:
twchoi@thestar.com.my)
