MORE than 150 veterans of conflict in south-east Asia were presented with medals at a special ceremony.

The Pingat Jasa Malaysia medal was presented to the old soldiers by the deputy high commissioner of Malaysia in an all-day ceremony held in Eastleigh.

But the proceedings were not without controversy, as many veterans have been angry that they will not be allowed to wear the Pingat Jasa alongside their British medals on ceremonial occasions.

The veterans, from across the south of England, fought in the 1948-1966 Malayan emergency, an ultimately unsuccessful Communist-inspired guerrilla insurgence against the Malayan government.

One of those taking part in the medal ceremony was Peter McLaren-Smith, of Abbotts Barton, who said the Malaysian government's idea for the medal was to mark 40 years since the conflict ended.

Mr McLaren-Smith said the New Zealand government had allowed the Pingat Jasa to be worn by New Zealand veterans in uniform.

"They proudly wear it but Blair said no," Mr McLaren-Smith complained.

"And in 1948, when we went to Malaya, it was under a Labour government."

For the ceremony, at The Point dance and arts centre, members of the National Malaya and Borneo Veterans Association were asked to wear lounge suits or blazers.

Branch chairman Sheridan Price said it was a beautiful ceremony.

"We all really enjoyed it," said Mr Price, who lives in Chandler's Ford.

"When each veteran went up for the medal, you could see the pride and pleasure on their faces. It was brilliant."

Each medal was presented in a box, rather than being pinned on, and no other medals were worn.

But Mr Price said veterans would defy the ban on wearing the Pingat Jasa with other medals.

"It's an insult to the Malaysian government. They're giving this medal that isn't costing the British government a penny. We want to wear it."

Arthur Hewitt, secretary of the southern area branch, praised Sandra Gidley, the Romsey MP, for agreeing to attend.

"We are indebted to Mrs Gidley," Mr Hewitt said.

"She's made dedicated efforts to obtain official permission for veterans to wear the PJM."