Malaysia recognizes the heroes of a forgotten war

By Mata Press Service

With tears in his eyes and pride in his heart, Mike Brisley took to the podium surrounded by veterans from a forgotten war in Vancouver last week.
Reminiscing about the food and warmth of Malaysia, Brisley from Nanaimo laid bare in simple terms how he and his fellow soldiers helped Malaysia get rid of the communist menace and saluted their unparalleled bravery and determination.
“ I am happy to have and proud to have fought along soldiers from Malaya (now Malaysia) and against the communist,” said Brisley, one of 32 veterans who were awarded the Pingat Jasa Malaysia (PJM) medal by Mohd. Hassan Bal, the Malaysian Consul General in Vancouver.
The Pingat Jasa Malaysia (PJM) or “Malaysian Service Medal” was created in 2004 and is awarded to British and Commonwealth forces who served in Malaysia during the Malayan Emergency and the Malaysian-Indonesian Confrontation periods.
The award is in recognition of their “distinguished chivalry, gallantry, sacrifice, or loyalty” in contributing to the freedom of independence of Malaysia.
There are 100 veterans of the Malaysian service in BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan and about 113 in eastern provinces of Canada.
Brisley, the Canadian representative of PJM recipients and the president of National Malaya Borneo Veterans Association, served with the 94th Field Squadron of the Royal Air Force based in Penang, Malaysia.
Expressing his gratitude for the recognition, Brisley said he still misses Penang Island and especially the food.
Mohd. Hassan Bal, who presented the medals said the Malaysian people are grateful for the sacrifices and bravery of the many soldiers who fought shoulder to shoulder with them in freeing the country of insurgency.
He appealed for children and friends of soldiers who fought for then Malaya to contact his office ([email protected] ) to ensure their service is recognised.