KUCHING: A total of 97 persons received state awards from the Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud during an investiture ceremony held at Dewan Besar Astana Negeri, on Thursday (Sept 23).
Thirteen persons received the Pegawai Bintang Kenyalang (PBK) award.
They were the director of the Bintulu branch of the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (LHDN) Edith Mason, Cr Anna Lau King Honng, Penghulu Wong Kie Ing, Tuai Rumah Puyu Tedong, Wong Ing Sing, Pemanca Jamel, Pemanca Enggah Muga, Pemanca Jamit Untam, Penghulu Surang Takin, Tuai Rumah Suring Timban, Tuai Rumah Layang Kesiaw, Tuai Rumah Anthony Ladi and Tang Chung Hung.
There were 39 recipients of the Ahli Bintang Sarawak (ABS), while 45 others received the Ahli Bintang Kenyalang (ABK).
The Head of State’s wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Ragad Kurdi Taib and State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Deputy Speaker Datuk Gerawat Gala were among those who witnessed the ceremony.
Taib conferred the Darjah Utama Yang Amat Mulia Bintang Kenyalang Sarawak, PBK to the LHDN Malaysia Sarawak Bintulu Branch Director Edith Mason. 
Harris Jau Wan received the Darjah Utama Yang Amat Mulia Bintang Sarawak, Ahli Bintang Sarawak (A.B.S.) from Taib.
