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Meddle Office Letter
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There is a new page on What We Say called Meddle Office Letter. George sent us the letter and, on the surface, it seems no more than typical MOD insensivity but, as I pictured the possibility (probability?) of a Next of Kin receiving a letter like this this I saw red. The MOD could not help themselves. They could not wait to poke us in the eye. The first line says words to the effect of "PJM? Nuffink to do wiv us, Gov. Don't want anyfink to do wiv it." and the final one suggests "And while returning your application because we don't want it, remember you can't wear the medal - so there! Da-da-dada da!"

I penned some therapy ...

Hear this, Medal Office. We are proud of our PJM and we're going to wear it whether you like it not. And we'll wear it with pride for what we did in the service of Malaysia.

Stop trying to infer that our Aussie and Kiwi ex-comrades-in-arms and their respective Governments have lower standards than you (because they have accepted the medal without a veto on wear), and that British citizens are second class citizens within the Commonwealth of Nations.

And while on the subject of standards - how about standards of courtesy and standards of human rights. In our view, the HD Committee and now the MOD are short in both departments when compared with the enlightened attitude from 'down under'. You know, MOD, that you have absolutely no power over civilians. You may invoke and hide behind the discredited Imperial Honours System, but we didn't opt into it, so we don’t need to opt out of it. Nor did we accept an index-linked pensionable sinecure (paid for in part from taxes on veterans) for promoting such an antiquated system that divides Commonwealth nations that once fought together - nations that should be pulling together in today's war on terror!

No wonder the attitude in Malaysia is hardening against countries such as the UK. Your attitude to the PJM clearly signals your Imperial contempt for things ‘Foreign’ (which term, the Cabinet Office now informs us, includes the Commonwealth. On that basis, should we cease referring to the FCO (as you do in your letter) and more correctly refer to the FO?

Malaysia is a beautiful country, with a beautiful people. They ooze strength and dignity and humanity - and the ability to adapt to the modern world. The British Government and its departments and QUANGOs have much to learn from them.



Last edited by BarryF on Sun Mar 05, 2006 7:15 pm; edited 1 time in total

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BarryF, who fought for the Right to Wear the Pingat Jasa Malaysia
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Ah my kind of letter Barry ;-]


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