History
In 2004 the Government of Malaysia offered the Pingat Jasa Malaysia to Australia to recognise Australian Defence Force personnel who served to uphold the sovereignty of Malaysia during the Malayan Emergency and the Indonesian Confrontation. Australia accepted the offer and issued over eight thousand medals. Defence confirms an individual's eligibility but does not issue the medal, and recipients obtain it from a medals dealer.
The qualifying service was in the prescribed areas between 31 August 1957, when Malaya became independent, and 12 August 1966, or to 9 August 1965 for service in Singapore. Ninety days were required for those in direct support of operations, and one hundred and eighty days for those in indirect support. As a foreign award it is worn among an Australian recipient's foreign awards, after Australian honours.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The medal is a circular silver finished medal, thirty six millimetres across. The obverse bears the Malaysian national crest above the words JASA MALAYSIA. The reverse bears a map of Malaysia above the letters P.J.M. The medal is joined to a decorated suspension bar by two crossed palas palm fronds.
The ribbon
Yellow, blue and red, the colours of the Malaysian flag.
The ribbon carries the colours of the Malaysian flag: a central red stripe for chivalry and gallantry, flanked by blue for the supporting forces and the appreciation of the Malaysian people, and edged with yellow for the sovereignty of Malaysia.
Eligibility
The medal was awarded for service to uphold the sovereignty of Malaysia during the Malayan Emergency and the Indonesian Confrontation.
- Service in the prescribed areas between 31 August 1957 and 12 August 1966, or to 9 August 1965 for Singapore, was required;
- Ninety days were required in direct support, and one hundred and eighty days in indirect support;
- Service cut short by death or injury also qualified;
- Defence confirms eligibility but does not issue the medal, which is obtained from a medals dealer;
- As a foreign award it is worn in the Australian Order of Wearing after Australian and Commonwealth honours.
Order of wear
In the Australian Order of Wearing, foreign awards are worn after Australian honours and Commonwealth awards, in the order set for foreign awards, generally by the date of the service for which they were given. A foreign award is worn only where its acceptance and wear have been approved.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Pingat Jasa Malaysia?
Malaysia's service medal, offered to Australia in 2004 to recognise Defence Force personnel who served to uphold Malaysian sovereignty during the Malayan Emergency and the Indonesian Confrontation.
What was the Australian qualifying period?
Service in the prescribed areas between 31 August 1957 and 12 August 1966, or to 9 August 1965 for Singapore, with ninety days in direct support or one hundred and eighty days in indirect support.
Does Defence issue the medal?
No. Defence confirms an individual's eligibility and approves its wear, but the medal itself is obtained from a medals dealer.
What does the medal show?
A silver medal bearing the Malaysian national crest above JASA MALAYSIA, with a map of Malaysia and the letters P.J.M on the reverse, hung from a bar by two crossed palas palm fronds.
What do the ribbon colours mean?
They are the colours of the Malaysian flag: red for chivalry and gallantry, blue for the supporting forces and the Malaysian people, and yellow for the sovereignty of Malaysia.
How is it worn in Australia?
As a foreign award it is worn after Australian and Commonwealth honours, in the order set for foreign awards.