His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office bestowed 647 dedicated individuals with honorary medals during Day Three of the Investiture Ceremony held at Balai Singgahsana Indera Kenchana, Istana Nurul Iman yesterday.

The two-hour-long ceremony saw 323 recipients from three government ministries - the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Development and Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources - as well as from the private sector bestowed with the Excellent Service Medal (PIKB).

The Long Service Medal (PKL) was bestowed to 324 recipients, all of whom are government personnel working with the aforementioned government ministries.

As in previous years, the medals were conferred with the consent of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.

Mulyadi Hj Ahmad Hassin from the Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation (JASTRe) expressed his utmost appreciation to His Majesty's Government for acknowledging his hard work after 24 years of service.

He told the Bulletin that his journey working as a government servant was not easy. He started off working at the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood before being transferred to the Bandar Seri Begawan Municipal Board and finally securing a position at JASTRe.

Mulyadi received both the PIKB and PKL medals yesterday.

PKL recipient Mdm Chieng Hock Ming of the RIPAS Hospital also expressed her joy and sense of recognition yesterday. She said, "Being with the RIPAS Hospital for 25 years is a blessing for me. The long and irregular working hours at the hospital have really paid off."

Prior to yesterday's ceremony, Mdm Chieng had received the PJK and PIKB medals. She shared her joy with her colleagues Sabidah Kasim and Hjh Zainon Md Said, both of whom received the PIKB medals yesterday.

Meanwhile, the Head of Business Administration at Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP), Pg Hj Idris Pg Hj Sabtu lauded His Majesty's Government for acknowledging those who are working in the private sector.

He said the medal represents his contribution towards nation-building. "I feel honoured and appreciated in a sense that we (the private sector) are only indirectly contributing to the development of the country but our 'contribution' is still acknowledged."

A total of 43 recipients from the private sector also shared the same sentiment as they were bestowed with the PIKB medals yesterday.

The awards are based on the individuals' work merits that represent their contributions to the nation through government service. Recipients should also possess a continuously good track record, as well as good behaviour.

Also present were Pengiran-Pengiran Cheteria, Cabinet Ministers, Legislative Council members, deputy ministers, Manteri-Manteri Pedalaman, members of foreign diplomatic mission, permanent secretaries and heads of department.

A similar ceremony will also be held on Saturday, April 28. - Borneo Bulletin (24 April 2012)