700 Malaysian Armed Forces Veterans Awarded PJM by Ministry of Defence

By: Michelle Liew

A total of 700 veterans of the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) were awarded the Malaysian Service Medal (PJM) in recognition of their bravery, courage, sacrifice and loyalty in contributing to the country's freedom from the threat of communist terrorists.

The Ministry of Defence in a statement last night informed that the award, which was completed by the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Defense Datuk Seri Muez Abd Aziz at the Veterans Hall, Wisma Pertahanan ATM, has been held since 2004.

"PJM is only awarded to military personnel or former military personnel who meet the eligibility requirements such as having served or been involved in operations continuously for three months and above or have served directly for not less than six months in any ATM team or formation for the period from 1 Jan 1969 to 2 Dec 1989 for operations against the Malayan Communist Party (PKM).

"Among other conditions, the veteran has served or been involved in operations continuously for three months and above or has served indirectly for no less than six months in any ATM team or formation for the period 1 Jan 1969 to 17 Oct 1990 for operation against the North Kalimantan Communist Party (PKKU)," according to the statement.

The statement also informed that another condition is that the veteran has been killed, injured or disabled due to duty against PKM terrorists for the period 1 Jan 1969 to 2 Dec 1989 or PKKU terrorists for the period 1 Jan 1969 to 17 Oct 1990.

Yesterday's ceremony was the first award completed by the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Defense after the Minister of Defense agreed to delegate authority through the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Heads of ATM Services to complete the application of PJM through the National Veterans Council Meeting dated 29 Sept 2022.

Also present were ATM Headquarters Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Datuk Arman Rumaizi Ahmad, Deputy Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Datuk Seri Mohammad Ab Rahman, Deputy Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Datuk Sabri Zali, Deputy Commander of the Air Force Lieutenant General Datuk Muhamad Norazlan Aris, Director General of the Department of ATM Veteran Affairs Major General Zambery Jefry Darus and representatives of the ATM Veteran Association around the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.

To date, a total of 33,632 ATM Veterans have received PJM while eligible veterans who have yet to receive the award are scheduled to receive it in the future.