KUCHING: The 78th birthday celebration of Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, culminated in a grand ceremony today, during which a remarkable 1,046 individuals were awarded state honours, including prestigious titles and medals.
Among the distinguished recipients was Toh Puan Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, who was awarded the Darjah Utama Yang Amat Mulia Bintang Kenyalang Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Bintang Kenyalang (DP).
The event took place at Astana Negeri, where Wan Junaidi presented the award to his wife, marking a significant moment as she led the recipients.
She appeared graceful in a traditional baju kurung paired with a songket sarung and sash, complemented by a red keringkam headscarf, having the opportunity to shake hands with Wan Junaidi after receiving her medal.
Among those present to witness the event were Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and his wife, Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang.
The ceremony proceeded with the presentation of the same award, culminating in the conferment of the Datuk Patinggi title to Tan Sri Datuk Amar Leonard Linggi Jugah, chairman of the Tun Jugah Foundation.
Next, the Panglima Negara Bintang Sarawak (PNBS), which carries the title Dato Sri, invited the Chief Justice of Sabah and Sarawak, Tan Sri Dato’ Abdul Rahman Sebli, to meet with the Head of State, accompanied by Datuk Seri Mohd Naroden Majais and Datuk Seri Fong Joo Chung.
Following this, the title recipients included former Senator Temenggong Datuk Wan Hamid Edruce Tuanku Mohammad; State Attorney-General Datuk Saferi Ali; and Sarawak Deputy State Secretary (Economic Planning and Development) Datuk Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel.
The ceremony then featured the Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, who is also the Sarikei MP, Dato Sri Huang Tiong Sii, leading the award presentation for the Panglima Gemilang Bintang Kenyalang (PGBK), which carries the title Datuk.
This was followed by Datu Ismawi Ismuni, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of RECODA, and Datu Khir Busrah, the Senior Private Secretary to the Premier of Sarawak.
In total, 12 individuals were awarded the Darjah Jasa Bakti Sarawak (DJBS), which carries the title Datu. The recipients included Jafri Lias, Sirai Daha, Elizabeth Loh, Abang Ahmad Abang Morni, Hamdan Sharbini, Michael Ronnie Langgong, Nyurak Keti, Kueh Lei Poh, Jack Liam, Jonathan Lugoh, Mersal Abang Rosli, and Professor Dr. Neilson Ilan Mersat.
Additionally, Datin Amar Enn Ong Siok Ean was the top recipient among the 18 awardees of the Panglima Setia Bintang Sarawak (PSBS), which carries the title Dato, followed by the Mayor of Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) Hilmy Othman; Dato’ Lee Heng Cheong; and Dato’ Seri Khaw Kok Chin.
Subsequent recipients included Dr. Richard Rapu @ Aman Begri; the Tupong assemblyman and Political Secretary to the Premier, Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman; Kabong assemblyman Mohd Chee Kadir; the Press Secretary to the Premier, Ambrose Cheng Loi Hee; Sudarnoto Osman; Archbishop Dr Simon Peter Poh Hoon Seng; Jefri Ahmad Tambi; Brigadier General Kamarulzaman Mohd Yunos; Abang Abdillah Izzarim; Abang Arabi Abang Narudin; Dr Wee Kam Siak @ Julian Wee Kam Siak; Shankar Ram Pohumall; Jacqueline Fong Yean Yee; and Su’ut Johari.
Before concluding the ceremony, the Chief Imam of Sarawak, Datuk Mustpha Kamal Ahmad Fauzi, led a prayer, followed by the national anthems “Negaraku” and “Ibu Pertiwiku,” marking the departure of Wan Junaidi and his wife.
The ceremony saw a total of 39 individuals receive Datukship awards, including the titles Datuk Patinggi, Dato Sri, Datuk, Datu, and Dato.
Additionally, 1,007 individuals were awarded medals, comprising three recipients of the Johan Bintang Sarawak (JBS), one Johan Bintang Kenyalang (JBK), 20 recipients of the Pingat Perkhidmatan Cemerlang (PPC), 15 recipients of the Pegawai Bintang Sarawak (PBS), 98 recipients of the Pegawai Bintang Kenyalang (PBK), and 143 recipients of the Pingat Perkhidmatan Bakti (PPB).
Furthermore, there were 76 recipients of the Ahli Bintang Sarawak (ABS), 198 recipients of the Ahli Bintang Kenyalang (ABK), 194 recipients of the Pingat Perkhidmatan Terpuji (PPT), and 259 recipients of the Bentara Bintang Sarawak (BBS).
