KUCHING: Head of State, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, today conferred state awards and honours in conjunction with his 79th official birthday, with Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof, leading the list of 42 top recipients.
Fadillah, who is the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation cum Petra Jaya Member of Parliament (MP), received the Darjah Utama Yang Amat Mulia Bintang Kenyalang Sarawak (Datuk Amar Bintang Kenyalang), the state’s highest award.
He was the sole recipient of the title, which carries the honorific ‘Datuk Amar’, in recognition of his dedicated service to Sarawak and the nation.
Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) President, Dato Sri Joseph Salang Gandum, and Federation of Chinese Associations Sarawak’s President, Dato Sri Richard Wee Liang Huat, were each awarded the Panglima Negara Bintang Sarawak (PNBS), which carries the title ‘Dato Sri’.
The Panglima Gemilang Bintang Kenyalang (PGBK), which carries the title ‘Datuk’, was conferred on Deputy Minister of Utility (Sarawak Energy and PETROS), Datuk Ibrahim Baki; Deputy Minister of Transport, Datuk Henry Harry Jinep; Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu; Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development, Datuk Majang Renggi; and Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) President, Datuk Ik Pahon Joyik.
Nine individuals received the Darjah Jasa Bakti Sarawak (DJBS), which carries the title ‘Datu’.
They are Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Sarawak (MEITD) Permanent Secretary, Adana Jed; Sarawak Public Works Department (PWD) Director, Dr Cassidy Morris; Sarawak Rural Water Supply (JBALB) Director, Awang Mohammad Fadillah Awang Redzuan; Sarawak Land and Survey Department (JTS) Director, Awang Zamhari Awang Mahmood; Betong Resident, Richard Michael Abunawas; Human Resources Unit Director, Sharifah Rohana Wan Alwi; Sarawak Civil Service Digitalisation Unit (SCSDU) Director, Huong Siu Hung; Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) General Manager, Zainal Abidin Abdullah; and Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (SALCRA) General Manager, Joseph Blandoi.
Meanwhile, 22 recipients were conferred the Panglima Setia Bintang Sarawak (PSBS), which carries the title ‘Dato’.
Among those honoured were Dr Punitha Silvarajoo; Bukit Aman Principal Assistant Director of E6 Special Branch, DCP Mohd Taufik Toh Abdullah; 9th Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Jafri Sulaiman; Director at the Sarawak Regional Office Ambassador, Fenny Nuli; Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Sarawak’s Director, Hasbilah Mohamad Salleh; Beting Maro Assemblyman, Razaili Gapor; Tanjong Manis MP, Yusuf Abdul Wahab, Sarawak Energy Group’s Chief Operating Officer, James Ung Sing Kwong; Datin Sri Angelina Celestine Ujang; Serembu Assemblyman, Miro Simuh; and Meluan Assemblyman, Rolland Duat Jubin.
Three PSBS awards were awarded posthumously to the late James Alexander Ritchie, the late Shahren Ahmad Zaidi Adruce, and the late Mohd Hasbie Sulaiman.
In total, 42 individuals received the state’s highest honours during the investiture at Astana Negeri Sarawak.
Altogether, 1,372 recipients were recognised with various state awards, honours and medals this year in conjunction with the Head of State’s official birthday celebration.
The ceremony was witnessed by wife of the Head of State, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, together with Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, and Deputy Premiers, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.
Also present were State Secretary, Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, along with members of the Sarawak Cabinet and representatives from the federal government.
