War veterans to receive PJM title, says Mat Sabu

MELAKA: Army veterans who had served during the Emergency period will not be forgotten, says Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu.

He said the Malaysians, who served the British Army in the early days of Malaya, had been identified and would accorded the “Pingat Jasa Malaysia” (PJM).

He said they would also be qualified for the proposed appreciation allowance as the recipients of the title.

“We have identified them, including those living overseas.

“So far, 27,109 army veterans had been awarded the PJM, and the title will be extended to other British war veterans," he said after awarding the title to 507 former servicemen at a leading hotel here on Thursday (July 18).

Last November, Melaka Health and Anti-Drug Committee chairman Low Chee Leong called upon the Defence Ministry to recognise Malaysians who had served the Emergency period during the British era.

Low said the contributions of surviving veterans who are now above the age of 80 should not be forgotten.

Earlier, Mohamad Sabu said financial aid had been distributed to 27 former army associations and more such assistance will be regularly rendered.

“We have also approved monetary assistance for former servicemen

totalling RM47.5mil that have been distributed to 95,110 veterans since

May 27, and the remaining recipients are expected to get the funds by this October,” he added.- Star