Ex-servicemen Phil Price (left) and William Doak pay a visit to the Professor Pantridge memorial , statue at the Lagan Valley Island Centre. US1307- 107A0

OVER FORTY years after they served in Asia, around 100 veterans will be awarded prestigious medals in Lisburn City.

The PINGAT Jasa Malaysia Medal (PJM) will be presented to local members of the Commonwealth Forces who served in Malaysia in its fight to preserve its newly won independence against terrorism and oppression between 1957 and 1966.

The war heroes from all three services will receive their medals at the Lagan Valley Island on Saturday April 14 when representatives from the high Commission of Malaysisa will be present.

 Ex-serviceman William Doak from Lisburn, who is a member of the Ireland branch of the National Malayan Borneo Veterans Association (NMBVA) believes this recognition is long overdue.

William, 62, said: "I think Lisburn City Council should be praised for hosting the Malaysian High Commissioner and letting the war veterans receive their medals in Lisburn. It really means a lot to get this recognition over 40 years after the forgotten conflict."

Denied

 The ceremony will take place amid heavy criticism of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), which has denied the veterans the right to wear the medals because of century-old British laws. The Government recently backed down from rules banning the acceptance of foreign medals - but the FCO's Grant of Honours and Decorations Committee has held back from granting veterans permission to wear them, despite those in Commonwealth countries being allowed to do so.

But Lisburn Veteran Phil Price, 65, who served in the Royal Navy is prepared to defy the ban.

Phil will be joining other members of the NMBVA to receive a medal of recognition from the High Commissioner. He said: "I will wear this with pride some forty five Years after my service in Borneo.

"I would like to thank a former shipmate from HMS Lincoln, George Fleming for introducing me to the National Malayan Borneo Veterans Association and helping me receive my medals."