KUCHING: ONE Championship star Muhammad Johan “Jojo” Ghazali Zulfikar has vowed to continue flying Sarawak’s flag on the international stage after being conferred the Ahli Bintang Sarawak (A.B.S.) during the Sarawak State Honours Investiture Ceremony on Thursday (Aug 13).
The 19-year-old muaythai sensation received the honour from Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar at the Grand Hall of Astana Negeri Sarawak in recognition of his achievements in elevating Sarawak’s profile through the sport.
Reacting to the recognition in a Facebook post, Jojo thanked Sarawak for the honour, describing it as a special moment in his career.
“To the city that has my heart, thank you for the recognition. Alhamdulillah,” he wrote.
He also expressed his appreciation to Wan Junaidi following the conferment.
Drawing inspiration from the well-known Sarawak phrase “Agi idup, agi ngelaban” (“As long as I live, I will fight”), the Kuching-based fighter said it remains the principle that drives him both inside and outside the ring.
“In Sarawak we have a saying, ‘Agi idup, agi ngelaban’, which means ‘As long as I live, I will fight’, and I live by that,” he said.
Jojo said the recognition has strengthened his resolve to continue carrying Sarawak’s name onto the global stage.
“I will continue to do my best to put this place on the map,” he said.
The muaythai fighter also added a touch of humour to the occasion, opening his post with the playful question: “Officially a national treasure?”
Jojo was among 154 recipients honoured during the investiture ceremony, which recognised individuals for their service, achievements and contributions to Sarawak. He was one of the recipients of the Darjah Yang Amat Mulia Bintang Sarawak, Ahli Bintang Sarawak (A.B.S.), alongside Anderson Kalang Lah, Baling Ellison Duren and Bangsawan Jahri.
The ceremony also saw 12 recipients conferred the Pegawai Bintang Kenyalang (P.B.K.), 19 receiving the Pingat Perkhidmatan Bakti (P.P.B.), 21 awarded the Ahli Bintang Kenyalang (A.B.K.), 42 honoured with the Pingat Perkhidmatan Terpuji (P.P.T.) and 45 receiving the Bentara Bintang Sarawak (B.B.S.).
Also present were the wife of the Head of State, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh, Sarawak Federal Secretary Dato Ahmad Nadzri Mohd Hassan, and invited guests.
