Wan Junaidi discusses a point with Ex-Policemen Association Kuching branch chief Samson Michael Juan.
KUCHING: The Home Ministry will expedite the presentation of Pingat Jasa Pahlawan Negara (PJPN) to ex-police officers and civilians who played a crucial role in safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty during the confrontation.
How soon these individuals will get the medals will be determined by their age and health condition.
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said some 150,000 ex-police officers are eligible to receive the medals, which will be presented in stages.
“The medals have been presented to close to 5,000 recipients in all the states but unfortunately we did not achieve our 2014 target of 10,000 recipients. However, based on last year’s figure, we are targeting to present about 5,000 medals this year. We will prioritise those who are aged,” he told a press conference after receiving a courtesy call from the Ex-Policemen Association Kuching branch new ex-co yesterday.
PJPN honours those who served during the emergency era in the peninsula from 1948 to 1960 and 1968 to 1989, as well as during the communist insurgency in Sarawak from 1962 till 1990.
Wan Junaidi said the progress of medal presentation has been slow because the ministry had to wait for Sultans or Heads of State to make the first presentation in their respective states, adding that the second presentation would be officiated at by the Menteri Besar and Chief Minister.
“In this regard, the ministry had to wait for their offices to set the appointment. In Sarawak, however, we have held three series of presentations,” said the Santubong member of parliament, who called on all ex-policemen associations to submit the list of eligible members including those who have passed away.
He pointed out that civilians who played a crucial role in safeguarding the peace of the nation are also eligible for consideration.
On the one-off RM1,000 payment to ex-police officers who served during the insurgencies, he said the government has been asked to approve grants for those who have yet to receive their monetary aid.
“The RM1,000 one-off payment to those who had served during the confrontations had stopped in Feb 28, 2008. An internal conflict (power struggle) within the ex-policemen association’s parent body at the Kuala Lumpur headquarters back then had led to some of the names and lists to go missing.
“Those eligible but did not make the submitted list were left disappointed,” he explained, adding that those who served during the confrontation era for a minimum of 12 months are eligible.
Wan Junaidi said the federal cabinet has to approve the continuation of the one-off payment before his ministry could hand out the aid.