His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Deputy Sultan, with the consent of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, bestowed 513 recipients with honorary medals during the first of three investiture ceremonies at Balai Singgahsana Indera Kenchana, Istana Nurul Iman yesterday.

Forty-three recipients were bestowed Meritorious Service Medals (Pingat Jasa Kebaktian), 280 received Excellent Service Medals (Pingat Indah Kerja Baik) and 190 received Long Service Medals (Pingat Kerja Lama).

Chin Kok Chiang from Radio Television Brunei under the Prime Minister's Office felt proud after receiving the Pingat Kerja Lama medal.

"Being with RTB for 32 years is a blessing for me. I hope that I will maintain my working ethics to set an example to my subordinates and colleagues at work."

Hjh Siti Sharphina bte Abdullah also working at Radio Television Brunei was one of the female recipients of the award yesterday.

Hjh Siti Sharphina, who received an Excellent Service Medal, expressed appreciation for having been acknowledged for nearly 30 years of service with the department.

"Working in the ICT section, I have to endure the challenges in coping with the ever-changing technology. We cannot run away from it. Therefore, I have to embrace and follow these changes."

Meanwhile, Brunei's very own intrepid explorer, Norhayati Abu Bakar, 43, dedicated her medal, Pingat Jasa Kebaktian, to all youths in Brunei and told the Bulletin, "Youths are the backbone of the country's future. It is important for our future leaders to start making positive changes to benefit the future development of the nation."

Norhayati has been advocating the country's name by waving the Brunei flag in 67 different countries with her husband, Harun Kurt Eichbauer, in their four wheel drive Toyota Land Cruiser "Jumbo".

Hjh Rosni Hj Matassan from the Royal Brunei Air Force received not one but two medals yesterday. She received the Pingat Kerja Lama and Pingat Indah Kerja Baik. She has been working as a janitor for 29 years.

She expressed her gratitude to His Majesty for recognising her hard work. "I'm honoured to be one of the many recipients today. This shows that my efforts to improve my work has been noticed and appreciated by the government."

The Excellent Service Medal (PIKB), granted early in a government career, is only presented to those who have been 12 to 15 years in service, while the Long Service Medal (PKL) is awarded those who have been in service for 20 years.

The awards are based on the individuals' work merits that represent their contributions to the nation through government and non-government services.

The recipients should also possess a continuously good track record, as well as good behaviour.

Present at the Investiture were members of the royal family, Cabinet Ministers, senior government officers and members of foreign diplomatic corps.

Similar ceremonies in recognition of service to the government and country will be held today, April 13, with the final ceremony scheduled to be held on April 14. - Borneo Bulletin (13th April 2011)