281 CHINESE VETERANS RECEIVED PINGAT JASA MALAYSIA MEDAL IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR SERVICE TO THE COUNTRY
A total of 411 Malaysian Armed Forces Veterans attended the Pingat Jasa Malaysia (PJM) investiture Ceremony held at Dewan Perkasa, Wisma Perwira ATM, Jalan Tekpi, Kementah, Kuala Lumpur on 16 Feb 19. In a historical event for the Malaysian Armed Forces Chinese Veterans Association (MACVA), 281 Chinese Veterans members who have served the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) between 1969 and 1990; a period of the Second Insurgency where the MAF fought the Malayan Communist Party (MCP) and the North Kalimantan Communist Party (NKCP) were conferred the PJM medal by the Chief of Defence Force General Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Panglima Hj Zulkifli bin Hj Zainal Abidin. This figure represent the largest number of Chinese Veterans being conferred the PJM to date.
 |
Chief of Defence Force General Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Panglima Hj Zulkifli bin Hj Zainal Abidin delivering his speech. |
 |
MACVA President Tan Pau Son; 3rd from right with invited guests. |
PJM is a Campaign Medal which was conceived on 3 Mac 2004 with the blessing from His Highness Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di Pertuan Agong. PJM is also conferred to members of Commonwealth Armed Forces who have served in Malaysia between 1957 and 1968; a period of the Malayan Emergency. PJM is bestows the highest seniority among medals within its category. Together with other Malaysian Veterans, MACVA members from the Chinese Community have served the King and country with pride and dedication during their tenures in the Malaysian Armed Forces. Fighting alongside their comrade brothers during those periods of uncertainty; they protected the country like any other serving Malaysians with some losing their life and others carrying a wound scar for the rest of their life. MACVA thanks Malaysia and MAF for recognizing their services and their sacrifices.
 |
OKU Veterans were seated infront. |
 |
Veterans brought along their spouses on this historical day. |
 |
Chinese Veterans make up majority of the recipients on 16 Feb 19. |
 |
A total of 355 Chinese Veterans were approved by Jabatan Hal Ehwal Veteran (JHEV) to receive the PJM on 16 Feb 2019. The others could not attend because of medical reasons due to old age; high travelling and lodging costs in Kuala Lumpur and unforeseen circumstances. The breakdowns of those attending are as follows:-
Ser  |
Rank |
List  |
Present |
1. |
Officers |
78 (3XW) |
67 |
2. |
WO I/ WO II |
72 (1XW) |
57 |
3. |
SSGT/ CPO/ FLT SGT/ SGT/ PO |
123 |
98 |
4. |
CPL/ LR/ SAC/ AB/ LAC/ PTE |
80 (1XW) |
57 |
5. |
Widow/Rep |
2 |
2 |
|
Total |
355 |
281 |
 |
Brig Gen Dato' Goh Ah Bah (Rtd) receiving his PJM. |
 |
Brig Gen Dato' Hon Mun Loong (Rtd) receiving his PJM. |
 |
Maj Lee Kong Kok (Rtd) receiving his PJM. |
In a separate PJM Investiture event held at Muara Tuang Camp, Kuching on 11 Feb 19; 12 Chinese Veterans proudly received their PJM awards from the Chief of Defence Force General Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Panglima Hj Zulkifli bin Hj Zainal Abidin. We congratulate the MACVA Sarawak Chapter Veterans on receiving their PJM awards.
 |
Sarawak Chapter PJM Recipients with Chief of Defence Force General Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Panglima Hj Zulkifli bin Hj Zainal Abidin. |
The PJM for MACVA members was mooted in 2017 where MACVA President Tan Pau Son encouraged all MACVA members who are eligible to receive the PJM to register with JHEV. Kudos to Committee Member Chua Eng Lye for beginning the collection of members application form and initial liasion with JHEV. We register our sincere thanks to the President Tan Pau Son, VP RMAF Joe Pie Chong Seng, Hon Sec Wong Ah Jit and Committee Members for ensuring the successful participation of MACVA Veterans in this event. We also like to say thank you to all Chinese Veterans who have contributed to the success of this event and in the collection, collation and submission of more than 400 names to JHEV for approval.
MACVA would like to express its sincere gratitude to the Chief of Defence Force General Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Panglima Hj Zulkifli bin Hj Zainal Abidin for conferring the award at the ceremony. We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to the Director of JHEV Major General Dato’ Dzulkarnain bin Ahmad and his staff for facilitating the application of the awards and hosting this historical event.
 |
PJM Parchment and Medals. |
Wong Kwai Yinn
18 Feb 19
Pictures:
Raymond Goh, Foo Ah Cheng, Ong You Chai and Ng Joo Chay.