Army refuses to let veterans wear Malay medal at ceremony

But he feels discriminated against because the British Army refuses to recognise a service medal from the grateful Malaysian government.

The 73-year-old - now chairman of city-based charity Mercy Corps - will be among 30 Scots soldiers honoured during Malaysia's Independence Day celebrations in Edinburgh next week.

But none of them will be officially permitted to wear their Pingat Jasa Malaysia medals.

Tens of thousands of troops fought in the former British colony during a state of emergency from 1948 to 1960. They were awarded the medal by the king of Malaysia in 2004, but it has never been recognised by the Foreign Office.

Brigadier Alstead, who lives on Murray Place, said: "It is a sad state of affairs and a lot of us feel very discriminated against.

"Other veterans of similar conflicts, such as Borneo, have received medals from foreign governments and can wear them.

"It seems that Malaysian veterans like myself are not being given the same privilege. It's very unfair and there is a lot of strong feeling among the thousands of UK troops who served in this war. Many of us fought in jungles and swamps in terrible conditions.

"We were being stung by scorpions, eaten by leeches and there were times we couldn't even use mosquito repellent, in case the smell attracted enemy forces.

"We just want to see this medal recognised for that service and to be allowed to officially wear it alongside our other honours."

Monday's ceremony is part of a week-long festival on Castle Street to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Malaysian independence.

A spokesman for the festival said: "This is a big event that aims to thank these veterans for their part in ensuring Communism did not take hold in Malaysia.

"They have been given the Pingat Jasa Malaysia, but a lot of them are angry that they cannot wear it at the ceremony."

Sandra White MSP, who has backed a campaign to have the medal recognised, said: "It is a disgrace that these men who risked their lives are not having the chance to display this medal."

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "It is long standing policy that non-British awards will not be permitted for events or service that took place more than five years before initial consideration, or in connection with events in the distant past. This compromise of allowing acceptance, but not wearing, recognises the generous gesture of the king of Malaysia."