JOHOR BARU: The Defence Ministry awarded some 500 armed forces veterans with the Pingat Jasa Malaysia (PJM) service medal, today.
The award ceremony was a tribute to the veterans' valour and sacrifice towards the nation.
Fallen veterans had their family members or representatives accept their medals on their behalf at a ceremony held at the Iskandar Puteri City Council multipurpose hall, here.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin said the service medal was a token of appreciation for their dedication and sacrifices during the Malayan Emergency counter-insurgency operations between 1948 and 1960.
"The PJM service medal elevates its recipients to a higher status compared to medals of a similar class.
"Malaysia's peace and prosperity that we enjoy today are the result of the sacrifices made by our armed forces," Khaled said, adding that the veterans' welfare was the ministry's top priority.
