RFA Historical Society

The Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal

In 2005 the Government of Malaysia approached the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office seeking approval to issue a new medal, the Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal to British Veterans and others who had served in operations in Malaya/Malaysia between the 31^st August 1957 and the 12^th August 1966. At the time the Ministry of Defence considered that this was not a matter for them as the medal was considered to be a commemorative medal, though qualifying veterans could apply for the medal to the Malaysian authorities.

After intense lobbying of the Government from a number of veterans groups Her Majesty the Queen gave permission for this medal to be worn on the 8^th August 2007.

RFA Historical Society

The Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal

In 2005 the Government of Malaysia approached the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office seeking approval to issue a new medal, the Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal to British Veterans and others who had served in operations in Malaya/Malaysia between the 31st August 1957 and the 12thAugust 1966. At the time the Ministry of Defence considered that this was not a matter for them as the medal was considered to be a commemorative medal, though qualifying veterans could apply for the medal to the Malaysian authorities.

After intense lobbying of the Government from a number of veterans groups Her Majesty the Queen gave permission for this medal to be worn on the 8th August 2007.

Unfortunately the Ministry of Defence does not hold records of those who served in Malaya or Borneo during the qualifying dates, so anyone wishing to apply for this award must submit an application individually, through an appropriate veteran’s organisation. Please note however, that applicants may be required to travel to London to receive their medal.

The terms governing the award of the Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal are set out below, please read them carefully as they are a little involved. (As Issued by the Government of Malaysia).

1. 1. For distinguished service and sacrifices towards the involvement of the Armed Forces and Security groups from the communion countries who had served in the country during the 2^nd Emergency and Confrontation time period, the Malaysian Government has approved to ordain a recognition for this award to be conferred to any entity. This decision shall be named as Pingat Jasa Malaysia (PJM).
2. 2. This award is conferred in considering the involvement of the Armed Forces or Security group from Australia, Britain, New Zealand, India, Nepal, Fiji and citizens of any other country who served in any peace operations in Malaya or Malaysia, aimed to upholding the peace and sovereignty of this country. For the purpose of conferring this award, the period of service is from 31^st August 1957 (after the independence of Malaya) to the 12^th August 1966 (end of confrontation).

1. 3. Terms and Service Qualification applies for this award are as follows:

1. 4. (a) Persons eligible. This medal can be awarded to any entity from peacekeeping Group (Armed Forces, Semi-Armed Forces, Police and Security Civilian Staff) from the communion countries, either man or woman whoever has served in Malay or Malaysia (including Sabah and Sarawak) during the determined period . (For service stationed in Singapore, please see paragraph e below).

(b) The Exact Dates of Operational Service. For the purpose of conferment of this award, the Malaysian Government has declared that the exact dates of Operational Service is from 31^st August 1957 to 12^th August 1966 only. This medal cannot be offered for periods prior to 30^th August 1957 (before the independence of Malaya) or after 12^th August 1966). (However, if their service does not cover the above mentioned dates, consideration shall be given based on Additional Qualification; please refer to paragraph f below).

(c) Type of Service. In order to qualify for this medal, any personnel from the Armed Forces, Semi-Armed Forces, Police and Security Civilian Staff service with or attached to any Armed Forces units or security organisations from the said countries or group involved directly or indirectly and performed their duties in upholding the peace and security of this country, in any type of security operations within Malaya or Malaysia (including Sabah and Sarawak), within the time period as determined above are eligible for the award.

(d) Number of days of service. Any security personnel from the said organisations and countries fulfilling the qualification below are eligible for the award:

1. (1) Any security personnel who directly involved (in the face of the enemy) in any operation for the period of three (3) months or more in any Armed Forces or Security Organisations from the said countries or groups, stationed in Malaya or Malaysia during the predetermined period;
2. (2) Or any security personnel who had indirectly served not less than six (6) months as supporting elements in any operation served in any Armed Forces unit or security organization from the said countries or groups, stationed in Malaya or Malaysia during the predetermined time period;
3. (3) Or any security personnel attached or posted to any Armed Forces units or security organisation from the said countries or group, stationed in Malaya or Malaysia and performed their duties directly (in the face of the enemy) in any operations not less than three (3) months during the predetermined time period.
4. (4) Or any security personnel attached or posted to any Armed Forces unit or security organisation from the said countries or group, stationed in Malaya or Malaysia and performed their duties indirectly as supporting element in any operations not less than six (6) months during the predetermined time period;
5. (5) Or any security personnel from the said countries of Armed Forces or security organisations or attached to it, stationed in Malaya or Malaysia, who had involved directly or supporting element, throughout the service despite yet to fulfil the determined period, killed, wounded, or disabled due to, performing tasks against the enemy, can be considered for this award.

(e) Service in Singapore. If the security personnel from the Armed Forces or Security Organisation from the said countries or group, stationed in Singapore and performing tasks against the enemy in upholding the sovereignty of this country, their service should be for the period 31^st August 1957 until 9^th August 1965 (Independence of Singapore). Other than period stated are not eligible.

(f) Additional Qualifications. Despite the predetermined period (the exact dates of operational service and number of days service as mentioned earlier, other additional qualifications can be considered based on the following circumstances.

1. (1) The security personnel from any Armed Forces or security organisation from the said countries or group who had served in Malaysia, must have been sent by their Government before the 12^th August 1966; and
2. (2) After 12^th August 1966, he or she must be in or attached to any remaining Armed Forces unit or Security Organisation from the said countries, stationed only in Malaysia and perform their duties during the so called ‘Cooling off period’, and
3. (3) The above service are counted until 31^st December 1966 only.
4. (4) Therefore any entity who fulfils these additional qualifications (paragraph (1), (2) and (3) above are also eligible for the award).

(g) Geographical Land Area. The geographical land area service are defined as the land of Malaya or Malaysia (including Sabah and Sarawak) Only.

(h) Service at Sea. Service at sea area is defined as “the naval ships must be located in the sea area of Malaya or Malaysia and involved throughout in supporting any operation for Malaya or Malaysia. If the ships are located in Singapore coastal area, the service should be from the 31^st August 1957 until the 9^th August 1965 (independence of Singapore).

1. (i) Posthumous Awards. This award can be conferred posthumously.

Anyone wishing to apply for this medal should have received the General Service Medal with either the ‘Borneo’ clasp or ‘Malay Peninsula’ clasp, as this makes it easier to process your application.

Application forms for both those who served in the relevant area during the conflict, and one for next of kin of those who have died since the conflict are attached, they should be completed in full, and in addition it may be prudent to enclose a photocopy of the front page of your discharge book, as well as a photocopy of the relevant pages showing ships stamps with service dates to aid your application.

A list of the RFA ships known to be in the area during the qualifying dates is attached for reference, please check carefully to ensure your ship was in the relevant operational area during the dates mentioned for qualification.

RFA Ships on Far East Station

Where possible information on RFA Ships in theatre have been taken from “Britain’s Small Wars, as well as information contained in RFA Newsletters of the period, dates of these are in brackets.

RFA Gold Ranger – Operated in the Borneo area in support of ships engaged on anti-terrorist operations.

RFA Tideflow – Station tanker on the Far East Station, to August 1964 (Sept 1963), (May 1964).

RFA Tidereach – Supporting HMS Victorious on station (Sept 1963), then sailed home for refit, returned to Far East station from the 19^th March 1964 as Station tanker.

RFA Tidesurge – Based at Singapore from the 14^th February to early April 1964 in support of HMS Centaur.

RFA Tidespring – In February 1964 sailed for the Far East station to relieve RFA Olna in support of HMS Victorious.

RFA Olna – Transferred from the Middle East Station to the Far East Station in late 1963 (Dec 1963), and replaced RFA Tidereach supporting HMS Victorious until January 1964.

RFA Eddyrock – Operating in North Borneo area in support of Anti-Terrorist patrols (Dec 1963)

RFA Fort Duquesne – At Singapore from Jan 1964 in refit to early April, then in support of HMS Centaur.(May 1964).

RFA Fort Sandusky – On the Mediterranean station until transferred to the Far East station to support HMS Centaur (May 1964)

Note.

HMS Victorious is listed in “Britain’s Small Wars” as being on Operations in support of Malaysia.

HMS Centaur is listed as being on station for the purposes of this medal from September 1963 to September 1964.

Other RFA Ships known to have been on Far East Station

RFA Fort Charlotte – (Sept 1963), (Dec 1963 based at Singapore), (May 1964)

RFA Fort Dunvegan – (Sept 1963), (May 1964).

RFA Fort Langley – (Dec 1963), (May 1964).

RFA Resurgent – (Dec 1963)

RFA Fort Rosalie – (May 1964)

It is not clear if any of these ships took part in operations in support of Armed Forces engaged with the enemy, and a careful check will have to be made to clarify the situation. We are also aware of other RFA Ships that were in the area; unfortunately we are unable to determine their crew’s eligibility for the medal as they were mostly on freighting duties and would therefore not have the required service to qualify for the medal.

For further information RFA Veterans and relatives of deceased RFA Veterans should approach the Chairman, RFA Association. Please remember to enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope if you require a reply.

Application forms for the PJM: –