On Wednesday the 15th November Andy Nicoll, a member of the Fight4thePJM Team and a Scot still resident in the land of his birth, went to Holyrood in Edinburgh to present to the Public Petitions Committee of the Scottish Parliament the Fight4thePJM Petition which seeks the right to wear the PJM for all British citizens.

We can only begin to imagine what it was like to present a complex issue to the scrutiny of eight Scottish MSPs. Andy pulled it off brilliantly - ably helped by Donald Fairgrieve. Linda Fabiani MSP summed up for us and did a magnificent job.

As you will see, those MSPs were open, alert, articulate, and not at any time chauvinistic. London civil servants … take a lesson.

At the end of the day the Committee decided:

• that our case had been well presented (take a bow, Andy) and was a sound one and
• they also decided that they should now formally write to the Government in London to express their support for the wearing of the PJM and also
• they would seek an explanation as to the ‘ludicrous’ PJM decision and
• they would not accept a simple acknowledgement - they will only be satisfied with a full explanation because that is what they and our case merit.

Please note Donald Fairgrieve’s comment at the end of the hearing to the effect that on the 27th November (put it in your diary now - BBC2 8pm Monday 27/11/2006) the BBC are broadcasting the film they took of the KOSB memorable visit to Malaysia/Singapore and DF states that the BBC film is likely to be embarrassing to the civil servants in London who concocted the discredited PJM recommendation because it will show how deeply the Malaysians appreciated PJMers' service in protecting their newly independent country - something that seems to have escaped the British Government.

Here is the 42 minute video of Andy’s presentation of the Fight4thePJM Petition to the Scottish Parliament:

http://www.holyrood.tv/popup.asp?stream=http://vr-sp-archive.lbwa.verio.net/archive/petitions_151106.wmv


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BarryF, who fought for the Right to Wear the Pingat Jasa Malaysia

Its well worth watching this video.

The facts are there for all to see.

The questions are there too.

Well done Andy.


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

Well done Andy.
Whitehall suits please take note, this is how to treat the British Public.
Looks like Scotland is a head of England on this one.

Brawly Andy...Brawly!


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...................'Jock'
Paroi...Rasah...Batu Signals Troop.

Congratulations Andy!

That has made my day, excellently presented in a nerve wracking environment, well done that man!


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HD Committee: Amateurs in a Professional World
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Yes, I'll second the congrats for Andy.

He has presented the Fight4thePJM Petition to the Scottish Parliament brilliantly - yet another initiative that we hope will help us win this just campaign.

The civil servants in London said we had no right of appeal. Think again suits - you may work in secret but that, as pointed out by the Scottish Parliamentarians, is not how it should be done in a democratic society. We are not talking about discussions that properly should be held in confidence, we are talking about a recommendation (allegedly signed by the Queen) that has been referred to in Parliament that affects our rights. We are entitled to know what She signed.

The times they are a-changing, thank goodness.

Barry


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BarryF, who fought for the Right to Wear the Pingat Jasa Malaysia

The courage of the Scots People...... Well done ANDY.. ...Rob

Have just watched the video. GREAT. Well done both of you.
In case anybody missed it I noticed the mention of the BBC2 showing a program at 8pm on Monday 27th November about the medal's being presented in Malaya. I'll be there watching it. Should be good.
David Pearce Ex Royal Navy.

Andy.seen the video.You performed magnificiently in what must have been a nerve wracking experience for you.Well done and once again thank you for all the time and effort you put in

Rgds Ray

How good to see civilised people discussing problems without trying to score browny points and waving papers, top marks to the Scottish Parliment

I would just like to add my praise and thanks to Any for an excellent job very well done. Although he must have been somewhat unnerved by the event and surroundings, he acquitted himself and by association the whole of this group, in a highly commendable way. Many thanks, Andy
Gerry


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Gerald Law (ex RAF Borneo Veteran)

Just watched the video and well done Andy. Why can't those in Westminster adopt the same common sense approach that has been displayed in this video.


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All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing

Mine too. Very impressed. Thanks.


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Pingat Kami - Hak Kami
651 Signal Troop,
Semengo Camp,
Kuching.

This letter was received this am from the Scottish Parliament Public Petitions Committee.

It states the action to be taken and also shows that we will have the opportunity to comment on any responses received before the Committee meets again to discuss them.

Well done Andy.

Roy , ex Malay/Malaysian Police Force.