KUCHING: Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud yesterday received the highest Sarawak Scout Award, Bintang Pengakap Kenyalang Sarawak from Sarawak Scout Association.
President of Sarawak Scout Council, Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom presented him the award during his courtesy call to Tun Taib in Demak Jaya.
According to Mawan, Tun Taib received not only the highest but also the first recipient of the Sarawak Scout Award.
“We are very grateful that he appreciated it because he is the symbol of scouting in Sarawak,” the Pakan assemblyman said when met after the visit.
Apart from that, Mawan said that there will be an inaugural award ceremony on July 27 at Astana Negeri, Kuching and Tun Taib has been invited to confer the awards.
Executive Committee Member of Sarawak Scout Council, Arthur Lee Cheng Chuan said, this will be the first time in scouting history of 100 over years that Sarawak awards its own scout medals.
“The awards are basically to recognise the contributions of all our former scout leaders.
“We think that is necessary to honour the contribution of those living scout leaders who have contributed to the success and led the state scout movements for the past 100 years.
“At the same time, we will take the opportunity to award the highest National Scout Award to the Premier of Sarawak as well as all of our scouts who have achieved the King Scout Award,” he said.
A total of 62 recipients are expected to receive the awards at the ceremony.
The ceremony will later be held every year by the Sarawak Scout Council as part of Sarawak Independence Day celebration.