Dateline - May 1, 2009
Defence Honours & Awards Tribunal Report - inquiry into recognition for service with 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Army in Malaysia 1966-67

The Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, the Hon Dr Mike Kelly AM MP, announced today that he has accepted the recommendations of the Defence Honours and Awards Tribunal report of the inquiry into recognition for service by Australian military personnel who served with 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (4RAR), in Malaysia in 1966-67. “I am very pleased to announce the Government has accepted the Tribunal’s findings and asked Defence to implement the recommendation for change,” said Dr Kelly. The Tribunal has recommended that the end date for the Australian Active Service Medal (AASM) 1945-75 with Clasp ‘MALAYSIA’ be extended to 14 September 1966 inclusive for service in Borneo. In particular, the Tribunal has recommended that members of 4RAR who served at Terendak from May 1967 to September 1967 are not eligible for the AASM with Clasp ‘MALAYSIA’, the General Service Medal (GSM) 1962 with Clasp ‘MALAYA PENINSULA’ and the Pingat Jasa Malaysia (PJM). The Tribunal has also recommended that the Government takes no action to recommend to either the Government of the United Kingdom or the Government of Malaysia that changes be made to the eligibility for the GSM or PJM to include members of 4RAR after 12 June 1965 and 31 December 1966, respectively. Ex-serving ADF members who believe they may now be eligible for the AASM with Clasp ‘MALAYSIA’ should contact Defence Honours and Awards, toll free, on 1800 111 321. The Tribunal’s full report is available at www.defence-honours-tribunal.gov.au