Welcome to the Fight 4 the PJM Web Site.
The pages in this web site tell the story of a medal, the Pingat Jasa Malaysia (Malaysian Service Medal). It is a medal graciously offered to Commonwealth forces who served Malaysia in its fight to preserve its newly won independence against terror and aggression between 1957 and 1966. The medal has been awarded to both servicemen and women, and to civilians.
The Queen has accepted the medal for wear by all her other Commonwealth veterans, including her own Representative in Australia, but she has been instructed by the Honours and Decorations Committee (quoting the Imperial Honours System) to deny British citizens the right to wear their medal. That anomaly is clearly unjust and inappropriate in the modern world.
'Lobbying' is not our natural habitat. We are ex-servicemen who have an intrinsic and instinctive sense of discipline and loyalty. As we set out our case, we do so with humility, and with an enduring loyalty to our country and our Queen, but this shameful recommendation has brought us together again for one last battle against a very unpleasant form of discrimination and aggression. And we shall not fail. We didn't then, and we shall not now. We shall not let down Malaysia, the Commonwealth, or our supporters - or ourselves.
We feel a deep sense of humility when we see the support that is coming in from across society and from across the world. Here, three special people have given us their personal support. Two are winners of the Victoria Cross, Britain's highest award for gallantry, one from the Army and one from the Navy. Bill Speakman is entitled to the PJM.
"The PJM Medal is an honourable award, awarded to honourable men. They will be rightly honoured to display it."
Lt Cmdr Ian Fraser VC DSC RD and Bar JP
"The award of the PJM Medal by the Malaysian government is a timely honour to those who served. We are privileged to receive it with good grace and respect and should wear it with the dignity it warrants."
Bill Speakman-Pitt VC
We are honoured that Dame Vera Lynn has given her wholehearted support to the PJM. She supported us last year when we were seeking acceptance of the medal, and she's supporting us now in our campaign for the right to wear it. Dame Vera, who will always be the "Forces' Sweetheart", has many interests in organisations that support ex-servicemen and women, including in her role as Patron of The National Ex-Prisoner of War Association.
"I was very pleased to learn that the Queen had given her consent to the PJM and I think that those who earned it should be able to wear it. You have my wholehearted support in your efforts to be given permission to wear your medal".
Dame Vera Lynn DBE LLD MMUS
We are also honoured that Leslie Thomas, author of "The Virgin Soldiers" set in Singapore/Malaya in 1950, ex-serviceman, historian and author, has added his support. His entry in "Who's Who" does it for us! He sums up his view of his National Service days as: "1949-51. Rose to Lance-Corporal".
"I wholeheartedly support the award of the PJM Medal and the right to wear it".
Mr Leslie Thomas OBE
We also have support from many other very special individuals - people whose loyalty and integrity is never in question. People like 'Spike' Drummond Window. He served in every arm of the services, and the police, and was for many years one of "The Queen's Body Guard of the Yeoman of the Guard". In 1994 Spike was awarded the Silver Medal of the Royal Victorian Order - an Order that is the personal gift of the Monarch.
When sending his unreserved support for PJM and our campaign, Spike said "You have my full permission - but any offers from 'Hammer Films' will be copyright".
Drummond Window MBE RVM
Our support is growing at an amazing pace. Men and women from across the world have 'signed up' to support the Pingat Jasa Malaysia:
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We have support from many hundreds of ordinary men and women, including widows and next of kin of men and women who died in the service of Malaysia. We're fighting for them all, and for Malaysia's right to offer a medal without it being denigrated by the British Government hiding behind the Imperial Honours System - and doing so erroneously.
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We have support form all ranks from the humblest private soldier up to and including Field Marshal.
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Over 200 MPs and many Peers have already signed up to support the PJM and we expect that number to grow.
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Over 1,000 people visit this web site each day.
We hope you will join them and us. Thank you.
And finally ...
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... meet Koyah (born October 2006) and her mum Ibu (about 20 years old) ... click on a thumbnail to enlarge an image.
Like Koyah, PJMers are an endangered species! Did you know that we numbered then about the same as the number of currently surviving Orang-Utans?
Both species are fast disappearing and so we have decided to do something about it and contribute on an ongoing basis to the World Wildlife Fund's efforts in Borneo.
Our contribution has been dedicated to all Malaya-Borneo veterans and is symbolised through the adoption (in the name of PJMers worldwide) of Koyah - a young "Orang-Utan" ... a "person of the jungle", something we can all relate to having been during those days in the Far East!
We'll post more piccies and information as soon as we receive them from the WWF.
Before you leave ...
Whatever your views, please visit our Discussion Forum, register (it is private) and leave a message for us.
Thank you for your time and for your interest in our struggle. We hope you will return and visit these pages again. You will always be welcome.
