By Sonia K.
A total of 1,742 people were awarded the State Honourary Medal in a span of three days as a part of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan's 61st birthday.
Yesterday saw 598 awardees receiving their medals in a ceremony held at Balai Singgahsana Indera Kenchena, Istana Nurul Iman, which was the third and last day of the awarding ceremonies.
His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office awarded the recipients on behalf of the Sultan.
Leading the list of awardees was Pehin Jawatan Luar Pekerma Raja Dato Seri Utama Dr Ustaz Haji Awang Mohd Zain bin Haji Serudin who received the Pingat Bakti Laila Iklas, PBLI.
His Royal Highness then continued to award the Pingat Jasa Kebaktian, PJK or Meritorious Medal to 58 people. First to receive award was Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Setia Raja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Haji Awang Suhaili bin Haji Mohiddin. Among the recipients were government servants from various ministries and departments, as well as members of uniformed establishments.
Meanwhile, 318 people received the Pingat Indah Kerja Baik, PIKB or Medal for Service to the State. Another 221 people were awarded with the Pingat Kerja Lama or Long Service Medal. Recipients of these awards are those who have rendered 20 years of services or more.
Among those present at the ceremony were Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran-Pengiran Cheteria, Cabinet Ministers, Members of Councils, Deputy Ministers, Pengiran-Pengiran Peranakan, Pehin-Pehin Manteri and Manteri-Manteri Pedalaman. Also present were foreign diplomats, Permanent Secretaries and heads of department.
- Borneo Bulletin
(21st Feb 2008)
