His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday consented to bestow state decorations or 'bintang kebesaran' on 341 people including 206 male and 135 female recipients from both the public and private sectors in a ceremony held at Balai Singgahsana Indera Kenchana, Istana Nurul Iman.

The state decorations were awarded in conjunction with His Majesty's 66th birthday celebrations.

Also attending the ceremony were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah and His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Malik.

First to be honoured by His Majesty was Acting Assistant Director of the Department of Mechanical and Electrical Service, Public Works Department, Dennis Tet Yin Wong who was bestowed with The Most Blessed Order of Setia Negara Brunei (SNB) - Third Class.

His Majesty then conferred state decorations on 70 recipients with The Most Honourable Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei (SMB) - Third Class followed by The Most Eminent Order of Islam Brunei (SUB) - Fourth Class to 12 recipients.

During the ceremony, 243 dedicated men and women were also bestowed with The Most Blessed Order of Setia Negara Brunei (PSB) - Fourth Class. There were a total of 15 recipients for The Most Eminent Order of Islam Brunei (PUB) - Fifth Class.

Speaking to the Bulletin shortly after the conclusion of the ceremony was Helen Thu from Radio Televisyen Brunei (RTB). She shared her joy with five of her colleagues from RTB who also received state decorations yesterday.

She said: "I feel really grateful to His Majesty's Government for recognising our worth by bestowing us with the state decorations. It shows His Majesty's concern for his subjects who work diligently during their service in the public sector."

Helen Thu has been working with RTB since 1975 and according to her, working with the broadcasting media has been a "memorable and enjoyable journey". She received the PSB - Fourth Class.

SMB - Third Class recipient Hj Mohd Talip bin Hj Karim from the administration of the State Mufti Department lauded His Majesty's Government for acknowledging those who are working towards nation building. Hj Mohd Talip came out of retirement for a one-year contract to work with the department as his services were still needed.

He said: "I feel honoured to be bestowed with the state decoration. It gives me more motivation to work and continue contributing my expertise in the development of the country, especially towards His Majesty's aspiration to be a Zikir Nation."

Meanwhile, PSB - Fourth Class recipient, Pg Hj Abd Aziz Pg Hj Ahmad, who has been working at the Royal Customs and Excise Department, Ministry of Finance, expressed his utmost appreciation to His Majesty's Government for acknowledging his hard work after 32 years of service.

"Receiving such an honour is not an easy process," he said before adding that one quality that he believes must be imbedded in any working environment is "honesty".

"With honesty, you can have discipline and with disciple comes work ethics - and this is how we move forward," he said.

The ceremony was a means to reward the citizens' personal achievements or services to the country. Recipients should also possess a continuous 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 from foreign diplomatic missions, permanent secretaries and heads of department. - Borneo Bulletin (28 August 2012)