By James Kon & Azrol Azmi
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam consented to award another 689 people with Honorary Medals of Brunei Darussalam on the third and final day of medal presentation in a ceremony held at Balai Singgah Sana Indera Kenchana, Istana Nurul Iman, yesterday morning.
The medals were awarded in conjunction with the monarch's 60th birthday celebration.
Representing His Majesty at the ceremony was His Royal Highness Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office.
Heading the list of awardees for Pingat Jasa Kebaktian (PJK) or meritorious medals were Awang Haji Kamarhan bin Atma, Awang Haji Safar bin Haji Jeruddin and Awang Haji Sani bin Haji Bakir. A total of 41 people received the PJK medal.
A total of 426 people received the Pingat Indah Kerja Baik (PIKB) or Excellence Service medals. Leading the list of recipients were Awang Abba bin Hj Chuchu, Awang Hasmali bin Hj Ahmad and Awang Haji Abu Bakar bin Hj Jaafar.
Some 222 people were awarded the Pingat Kerja Lama (PKL) or Long Service medals and leading the list of awardees were Awang Hj Daud bin Hj Duraman, Awang Hj Mohd Zakaria bin Hj Sarudin and Awang Hasnan bin Tuah.
State Mufti, Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz recited the 'doa' to conclude the ceremony.
Present at the ceremony were YAM Pengiran-Pengiran Cheteria, cabinet ministers, Legislative Council members, deputy ministers and Pehin-Pehin Manteri. Ambassadors, high commissioners, permanent secretaries and heads of department were also present.
Recipients of the PIKB medal, Hj Nawin bin Abdul Hamid, Hj Salleh Apong and Hj Maiddin bin Hj Mattassin from Brunei Shell Petroleum Company, said they felt proud and honoured to receive the medals and thanked His Majesty for the award.
Fauziah Hj Othman and Hjh Hajujah Hj Omar, who received the PKL medal as well as Azizah Yunus, Hjh Rousinah Hj Mat Dikir, Noriah Hj Mohd Amin, Sainah Hj Ashari, Rohani Hj Emran and Ramiah Hj Zakaria who received the PIKB medal were delighted and honoured to have received the medals.
Female recipients from the Kuala Belait Immigration Department thanked the monarch for the medals and vowed to work harder to contribute to the country.
(25th January 2007)
