Merdeka Day aproaches ...

At this time last year the Foreign Office (or was it the MoD? or the Cabinet Office? or "I'll look into it, Gordon Brown"? They've all claimed responsibility so we'll never know!) arranged for the PJM to receive official permission to be worn in Malaysia for a few days during the Merdeka Day celebrations.

My question: Will they do that again this year?

If not - why not?

What do you think ... ?

Hint: The answer lies in Don Touhig's speech during the first reading of his Bill aiming to bring the murky and shameful work of the unelected civil servants behind the British Honours system under the scrutiny of our directly elected Parliament. See:

http://www.fight4thepjm.org/documents/Touhig_D_South_Wales_Argus_240508_lowres.jpg, and

http://www.fight4thepjm.org/documents/Touhig_D_10_Minute_Bill_21052008.pdf

Don't forget to diary the second reading of Don's Bill - Friday the 17th October!

Barry


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BarryF, who fought for the Right to Wear the Pingat Jasa Malaysia

At this time last year the Foreign Office (or was it the MoD? or the Cabinet Office? or "I'll look into it, Gordon Brown"? They've all claimed responsibility so we'll never know!) arranged for the PJM to receive official permission to be worn in Malaysia for a few days during the Merdeka Day celebrations.

Good point Barry. Tanya Collingridge, the Honours Secretary said the recommendation for the temporary wear of the PJM last year during the 50th. Independence celebrations in Malaysia, went from the Foreign Secretary, David Milliband, to the HD Committee and allegedly to HM the Queen who is said to have annotated them, but Meg Munn, Parliamentary under Secretary of State at the FCO said that the recommedation for temporary wear of the PJM went from her and the Veterans Minister, Derek Twigg MP, to the HD Committee.

If they do not even agree on such a basic point then they must be in more of a muddle than we thought. No wonder we cannot get through to David Milliband when those below him (so to speak) cannot even agree.