KUCHING: Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud today conferred state awards on 38 recipients during an investiture ceremony held in conjunction with his 85th birthday celebration at Lapau Hall, State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex today (Oct 9).
Two recipients of the Darjah Jasa Bakti Sarawak (DJBS) which carries the title ‘Datu’, namely Datu Kameri Affandi and Datu Lau Hieng Ung were not present in person to receive the award.
Leading the list of recipients of Darjah Utama Yang Amat Mulia Bintang Kenyalang Sarawak, Datuk Amar Bintang Kenyalang (DA) which carries the title ‘Datuk Amar’ was former Dewan Negara’s Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abang Ahmad Urai Hakim Abang Mohideen.
The same award was conferred posthumously on Sarawak’s first Cabinet member, the late Datuk Amar Pengiran Hipni Pengiran Anu.
Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Dato Sri Nancy Shukri; Minister of Transport Sarawak Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin; Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Sarawak Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; State Attorney General Dato Sri Talat Mahmood Abdul Rashid; State Financial Secretary Dato Sri Wan Lizozman Wan Omar; and KKB Engineering Berhad chairman Dato Sri Kho Kak Beng were conferred the Darjah Yang Amat Mulia Bintang Sarawak, Panglima Negara Bintang Sarawak (PNBS) which carries the title ‘Dato Sri’.
Taib also conferred the Darjah Utama Yang Amat Mulia Bintang Kenyalang Sarawak, Panglima Gemilang Bintang Kenyalang (PGBK) which carries the title ‘Datuk’ on Assistant Minister of Corporate Affairs and Public Communication Unit Sarawak (Ukas) Datuk Abdullah Saidol and Shin Yang Group of Companies managing director Datuk James Ling Lu Kiong.
Nancy Shukri receives the Panglima Negara Bintang Sarawak (PNBS) award which carries the title ‘Dato Sri’ from Taib. 
Abdul Karim receives the Panglima Negara Bintang Sarawak (PNBS) award which carries the title ‘Dato Sri’ from Taib. 
Abdullah Saidol receives the Panglima Gemilang Bintang Kenyalang (PGBK) which carries the title ‘Datuk’ from Taib.
Meanwhile, the Darjah Jasa Bakti Sarawak (DJBS) was awarded to Sri Aman Division Resident Datu Indit Bangai; Ministry of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Sarawak permanent secretary Datu Edwin Abit; former State Education director Datu Dr Azhar Ahmad and Kuching Division Resident Datu Sherrina Hussaini.
Other recipients of the same award were Datu Dr Rashidah Bolhassan, Datu Jack Aman Luat, Datu Hashim Bojet, Datu Muhammad Yakup Kari, Datu Abdullah Julaihi, Datu Khiruddin Drahman @ Hussaini and Associate Professor Datu Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel.
The award presentation ceremony ended with the presentation of the Darjah Yang Amat Mulia Bintang Sarawak, Panglima Setia Bintang Sarawak (PSBS) to 17 recipients which carries the title ‘Dato’ namely Dewan Negara Senator Dato Dr Zaidi Suhaili; Dewan Negara Senator Dato Dr Nuing Jeluing; Samalaju Assemblyman Dato Majang Renggi; Layar Assemblyman Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu; Dato Dr Zaleha Christine Abdullah; Lingga Assemblywoman Dato Simoi Peri; Dato Dona Babil; Dato Pandelela Rinong Pamg; Dato Polit Hamzah; Sarawak Deputy Commissioner of Police Dato Mancha Ata; Dato Dr Spencer Empading Sanggin; Dato Dr Chin Zin Hing; Dato Haidar Khan Asghar Khan; Dato Austin Dimin Niyon; Dato Christopher Adrian; Dato Chai Voon Tok; and Dato Wilfred Billy Panyau.
Among those present at the ceremony were Taib’s wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Ragad Kurdi Taib; Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and wife Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang, Deputy Chief Ministers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan; DUN Speaker Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar; State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion and ministers.
