From today's Townsville Bulletin.

Letters to The Editor.

Recently there was a letter to the editor re: the Pingat Jasa Malaysia medal (PJM) under the title 'Dying in wait for Malaysia .medal' (TB, November 4).

Today I received the email below from Honours & Awards.

I would appreciate it if the reply was printed so that our former servicemen are aware of the situation

J.N. HEMERIK

"Thank you for your email concerning the Pingat Jasa Medal (PJM). Due to the large amount of interest in the Australian Defence Medal our email system has experienced a significant backlog resulting in the regrettable delay in responding to you.

The Australian Government, acting as an agent for the Malaysian Government in regard to the PJM, was responsible for the despatch of the PJM to eligible recipients.

Earlier this year the Directorate of Honours and A wards in the Department of Defence notified the Malaysian Government that the stock of me dais provided was depleted, and requested further stocks be issued. In the first part of December 2006 the Malaysian Government notified the Directorate that a shipment of 4000 medals was in consignment in Melbourne. That shipment has now been sent to the engravers and will be despatched to eligible recipients through registered mail when engraving is complete. I hope this clarifies the situation for you.

Kind Regards,

Stephanie Akers-Barnes,
Assistant Director,
Honours & Awards.


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Merdeka, Merdeka, Merdeka,
from the HD Committee and its decision.