MIRI: State Secretary Datuk Jaul Samion headed the list of recipients at the investiture ceremony held at the Mega Hotel here yesterday when he was bestowed the Datuk Amar Bintang Kenyalang Sarawak (DA) award.
The award, which carries the ‘Datuk Amar’ title was also conferred on two other outstanding individuals — the State Financial Secretary Datuk Seri Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman and Datuk Seri Dominic Dago, a retired legislator.
Three individuals were conferred the Panglima Bintang Kenyalang (PNBS) award by the Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud who yesterday celebrated his 83rd birthday.
The award which carried the ‘Datuk Seri’ title were bestowed on Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, former assistant minister Datuk Gramong Juna and Deputy State Secretary Datuk Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki.
Meanwhile, eight others, including three assistant ministers, were bestowed the Panglima Gemilang Bintang Kenyalang (PGBK) which carries the ‘Datuk’ title.
The three assistant ministers were Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Assistant Minister Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail; Law, State-Federal Relations and Project Monitoring Assistant Minister Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali; and Industries and Investment Assistant Minister Malcolm Mussen Lamoh.
The others were former mayor of Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) Datuk Abang Abdul Wahab Abang Julai, Shell Malaysia chairman Datuk Iain John Lo, Sarawak Bumiputera Chamber of Commerce (DUBS) Bintulu chairman Abdul Kadir Sahib, Petroleum Sarawak CEO Bhd Sauu Kakok and Anglican Bishop Revd Donald Jute.
Meanwhile, five senior state government officers received the Darjah Jasa Bakti Sarawak (DJBS) and 11 other persons conferred the Panglima Setia Bintang Sarawak (PSBS) which carries Datu and Dato titles respectively.
DJBS were awarded to Bakrie Zaini and Zaidi Mahdi who work as permanent secretaries; the rest were Federation of Orang Ulu Association of Malaysia (Forum) president Antonio Kahti Galis, Sarawak Forestry Director Hamden Mohammad and State Irrigation and Drainage Department Director Chok Moi Soon.
Awarded the Panglima Setia Bintang Sarawak (PSBS) which carries the title Dato were Muara Tuang MP Datuk Idris Buang, former State assemblyman Datuk Awang Bemee Pengiran Ali Basah, Gabungan Parti Sarawak deputy secretary-general Ibrahim Baki, Leonard Martin Uning, Bujang Mohidin Jol, Rakayah Madon, Temenggong Abdul Rahman Fadzail, Temenggong Samuel Lawen, Wong Tiong HOOK and Mohamad Marzuki Mohamad Omar.
Of the total 758 recipients, 29 prominent individuals were conferred with various state awards, honours and medals.
Present at the ceremony were the Head of State wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Hajah Raghad Kurdi Taib, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and wife, Deputy Chief Ministers, Speaker of Dewan Undangan Negeri Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar, ministers and assistant ministers and their respective wives, heads of government departments, community leaders and other local dignitaries.
