MALAYSIA VETERANS SHOULD HAVE RIGHT TO WEAR CAMPAIGN MEDAL - BURT

2.22.52pm GMT Tue 18th Dec 2007

Solihull's MP, Lorely Burt has spoken out in a Westminster debate after being contacted by Solihull veteran, Ray Holley, one of 35,000 British veterans who are being denied the right to wear the Pingat Jasa Malaysia (PJM) Medal in public.

The decoration was awarded by the Malaysian Government for peacekeeping services in Malaysia from 1957 to 1966, but the House of Commons Medals and Decorations (MD) Committee has ruled that the medal cannot be worn in public because of the double medal rule - saying those servicemen who have already been awarded medals for distinguished service and bravery in the Malaysian campaign would not be entitled to wear a second.

Service veterans have pointed out that there have already been 40 instances where the double medal rule has been set aside, most recently for the Korean War and also the Russian 40th Anniversary medal for veterans qualifying for at least one medal during WW2

Lorely Burt MP said:

"I am grateful to my constituent, Ray Holley for bringing this miscarriage of justice to my attention.

"The majority of servicemen who sacrificed and endured during the Malaysian campaign did not receive a medal for it and are being denied the right to wear the PJM Medal in public, recognising their sacrifice and service.

"This decoration has been entirely funded by the Malaysian Government in honour of the service given to their country by British veterans. We have a duty to honour the commitment of 35,000 of our boys who fought in the jungles of Malaysia. They earned that medal and they have the right to wear it."

A government minister described the ruling as "nonsense" and the decision will now be referred to the MD Committee for review.