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Brief Report of the Merdeka Trip
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Merdeka Trip.

All of this was filmed by Malaysian TV.

Day One.
We arrived at Heathrow to be given our own veterans check in desk.

On our arrival at KL we were met by Col Paul Edwards and some Malaysian Officers and escorted along with Malaysian Pipers to emigration; on collecting our baggage we were then met by Scottish Pipers and escorted by Malaysian police to our awaiting coaches.

On our drive to the Hotel we had police motorcycle outriders with intersections and motorways blocked by police (this was to happen on ALL our official outings). Going through red lights with the local populace waving to us gives you a feeling that I cannot put into words.

At our hotel we had Malaysian Military Officers with a Military Doctor billeted along with us.

In the afternoon we had a briefing outlining times & events for the following 2 days.

Day Two.

07-00hrs Depart for the National Monument, a statue dedicated to ALL of those who have defended Malaya/Malaysia.

Lunch with the Deputy Prime Minister; we were all presented with gifts on arrival.

PJM presentation followed by speeches; the speech by the Deputy PM brought a lump to the throat of all the Veterans and their guests I only hope someone has taped it because I could not do it justice by trying to write it from memory.
Then an excellent lunch, by the way did anyone eat that little red thing with eight legs?
During lunch we were entertained by the Malaysian Cultural Troupe.

After lunch we went to Cheras Cemetery were in the presence of Scottish Pipers a wreath was laid in commemoration of the fallen along with a bugler playing the last post.

WO Steve Hardman of the BHC addressed me as sir; I replied “no need to call me sir, I was only a ranker” he replied “you are all sir‘s to me; I am in awe of what you people did out here” and him wearing the Gulf Ribbon.

Day Three.

Depart at 05-45hrs in time to be on parade before all the roads were closed, our wives went in separate coaches and had reserved seating for the parade, they could also watch the parade and the arrival of all the VIP’s on a large screen.

We had to wait around for a long time in the heat wearing ties and blazers; I’m glad I had the sense to take a bottle of water with me.
Many Malaysians wanted their photographs taken along with us but the Chelsea Pensioner must be on the mantelpiece of every KL home by now.

The march started about 08-30hrs and was a proud moment for us all.

Back to the hotel to wash and change for the Garden Party with HRH the Duke of York, Prince Andrew at the High Commissioners Residence, we ALL wore our PJM’s on British Soil.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Malaysian Military and the staff at the BHC for their hard work in organizing this event which could not have happened without their dedication.

Paul Alders
Fight4thepjm
Pingat Kami - Hak Kami

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