Mr Touhig's comments are honourable and to the point. The Malaysian Veterans only ask that in their twilight years (they are mostly in their 70 and 80's), they be allowed to formally wear their Pingat Jasa Malaysia. In a few weeks time those Veterans will be remembering their fallen comrades at ceremonies up and down the land. But an out of touch and outmoded decision-making body of non-elected Civil Servants are able to ban them from so doing. Meanwhile ,they have granted themselves unrestricted acceptance of the Antigua and Barbuda 25th Anniversary Medal. Not won in the hostile jungles of Malaysia but behind their desks in deepest Whitehall. What do the Veterans have to do to get justice done in a nation that prides itself on being democratic but in reality is ruled by an elite class of people. Let's not forget that they are called Servants for a reason - to serve. And that means to serve us and not themselves. Mr Touhig will always be able to hold his head high in the company of the Veterans. The same cannot be said of many of his colleagues or of those in Whitehall who delight in slighting the sacrifices made 50 years ago.
Gerald Law
Gerald Law
Posted on 17 Oct 2007 5:12 pm
Mr Touhig's comments are honourable and to the point. The Malaysian Veterans only ask that in their twilight years (they are mostly in their 70 and 80's), they be allowed to formally wear their Pingat Jasa Malaysia. In a few weeks time those Veterans will be remembering their fallen comrades at ceremonies up and down the land. But an out of touch and outmoded decision-making body of non-elected Civil Servants are able to ban them from so doing. Meanwhile ,they have granted themselves unrestricted acceptance of the Antigua and Barbuda 25th Anniversary Medal. Not won in the hostile jungles of Malaysia but behind their desks in deepest Whitehall. What do the Veterans have to do to get justice done in a nation that prides itself on being democratic but in reality is ruled by an elite class of people. Let's not forget that they are called Servants for a reason - to serve. And that means to serve us and not themselves. Mr Touhig will always be able to hold his head high in the company of the Veterans. The same cannot be said of many of his colleagues or of those in Whitehall who delight in slighting the sacrifices made 50 years ago. Gerald Law