By Dave Lord

THERE WERE emotional scenes in Perth yesterday as British veterans of an often-overlooked war received recognition for their part in the conflict.

Many old friends were reunited for the first time in almost 50 years as more than 300 veterans received the Pingat Jasa Malaysia (PJM) medal, which was specially created by the king and government of Malaysia in 2005.

It is awarded to members of the British armed forces who were committed to the major conflict in Malaysia between August 31, 1957, and August 12, 1966.

The UK veterans were joined during the conflict by 18 battalions of Commonwealth ground forces including servicemen and women from Australia, Fiji and New Zealand.

The medal was struck by the Malaysian authorities in a bid to show thanks and recognition for the efforts of all of those who helped to ensure the country’s freedom.

Yesterday’s ceremony at the Dewar’s Centre was held after the Queen gave her consent for the veterans to accept the medal.

There has been a long campaign to recognise the British who fought in Malaysia and a spokesman for the National Malaya and Borneo Veterans’ Association (NMBVA) was delighted when details of the Perth ceremony were announced.

“Around 300 eligible recipients now living in Scotland attended the investiture where they were presented with their rightful accolades,” he said.

“The veterans received their medals from the military adviser to the Malaysian High Commission in London, Colonel Tajri Alwi.

“He made the presentations on behalf of the king and people of Malaysia.”

The NMBVA was formed in 1994 with the express purpose of gaining some recognition from the Malaysians while forming ties between Malaysia and the veterans.

The Perth presentation was co-ordinated by Mike and Bev Warren, who now live in Blackpool.

Mr Warren is a veteran of the Malaysian conflict and received the PJM medal at the first ceremony held at the Malaysian High Commission in London two years ago.

He is a national committee member of the NMBVA and is aiming to ensure that all those entitled to the medal receive it.

To date they are dealing with almost 24,000 applications.

It is expected that all medals will have been distributed by August 2009.

Perth MSP Roseanna Cunningham is disgusted that the UK government has told veterans the medal should only be worn “during the celebration of Malaysian independence.”

“It is a pity that there is one small cloud in the sky over this awards ceremony,” she said.

“While the governments of Australia and New Zealand accepted the medal without restriction for their citizens, the UK government—after an initial refusal—has approved the presentation of this medal, but has told veterans it should not be worn in the UK other than during the celebration of Malaysian independence.

“This is a nonsense which demeans these brave folk who were sent abroad to face danger and do their country’s bidding.

“It is also an insult to the government and people of Malaysia who want to honour and thank those who came to their aid.”

Perth and North Perthshire MP Pete Wishart had similarly harsh words for the UK government.

“When the Malaysian government decided to present these awards, it was only grudgingly that the UK government finally accepted that they could be presented,” he said

“However, they will still not allow them to be worn.

“Ridiculously, if those receiving their medals in Dewar’s today were to pin them to their chests and walk down to the city centre, they would be breaking the law.”