A TOTAL of 592 people from the public sector were conferred with State Honorary Medals with the consent of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in recognition for their long and dedicated service to the Government and contribution to the country.

His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office as a personal representative of His Majesty presented the honorary medals in an Investiture Ceremony at the Balai Singgahsana Indra Kencana, Istana Nurul Iman yesterday. Also present was His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik.

The recipients yesterday comprised 391 officers and staff of the Ministry of Health (MoH) and 201 officers and staff of the Ministry of Education (MoE).

Two types of medals were presented at the ceremony; Pingat Indah Kerja Baik (PIKB) or Excellent Service Medal and Pingat Kerja Lama (PKB) or Long Service Medal.

Recipients of the PIKB yesterday comprised 89 males and 148 females from the MoE and 17 males and 94 females from the MoH, bringing the total to 348 recipients for the PIKB.

The main qualification criteria to receive the honorary medal is to have an impeccable long-term track record in service to the government, including a clean record in all services and a work performance appraisal for the past three years at a “very good” level.

Meanwhile, a total of 244 people received the PKL, comprising 45 males and 109 females from the MoE and 17 males and 73 females from the MoH.

The recipients comprised those who have served for 20 years or more.

Yesterday was the second day of the ceremony, held in conjunction with His Majesty’s 66th birthday anniversary.

More people will be awarded on the final day of the ceremony today.

The annual ceremony is a show of appreciation to the officers and staff of government departments and the private sector for having carried out their duties loyally, diligently, sincerely and honestly.

Also present were Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran-Pengiran Cheterias, Cabinet Ministers, Members of Council, Deputy Ministers, Pengiran-Pengiran Peranakan, Pehin-Pehin Manteri, Manteri-Manteri Pedalaman, High Commissioners, Foreign Ambassadors, Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Department and Senior Government Officers, as well as Mukim Penghulus and Village Heads. - Borneo Bulletin (22 May 2013)