His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddien Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has consented to award more honorary medals of Brunei Darussalam. In a second such ceremony Wednesday, 573 medals of various merits were awarded, bringing the number of awardees to more than one thousand one hundred along with the 540 recipients at Monday's ceremony.
The award is made in conjunction with His Majesty's 58th Birthday Anniversary. His Majesty was represented at the ceremony by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince. Wednesday's ceremony took place at the Dewan Persantapan Lapau in the capital. His Royal Highness first consented to award the Pingat Jasa Kebaktian, PJK or Meritorious Service Medals to 29 people, followed by the award of the Pingat Indah Kerja Baik or PIKB to 272 people. Meanwhile, 259 received the Pingat Kerja Lama, or Long Service Medals. 13 police personnel also received the Police Long Service Medal.
The recipients comprised government employees from various ministries and government departments, members of the security forces as well as from the public sector. Recipients recommended for the awards should possess virtuous and creditable personality as well as good conduct. Other criteria also include undivided loyalty to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the nation and religion, and rendering good deeds and meritorious services.
To bless the ceremony, a doa selamat was read by the State Mufti, Pehin Dato Paduka Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz. Among those present at the ceremony were Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran-Pengiran Cheteria, Cabinet Ministers, Members of Councils, Deputy Ministers and Pehin-Pehin Manteri. Also present were Ambassadors, High Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Department.
(16th Mar 2005)
