Esteemed group: (From left) Lim, Azmir Merican, Chung, Dr Mohamed Amir Shah, Ho and Dr Fazilah are among those to be honoured.
GEORGE TOWN: DAP veteran Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang tops the list of 1,346 recipients of the state awards, medals and honours in conjunction with the 75th birthday celebration of Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak.
The 83-year-old former DAP chairman will receive the Darjah Utama Pangkuan Negeri (DUPN), which comes with the title “Datuk Seri Utama”.
This is the highest state award given to anyone in Penang.
He will receive the award at the investiture ceremony to be held over four days at Dewan Sri Pinang starting today.
Also receiving honours are Penang Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Law Choo Kiang and St John Ambulance Malaysia’s Penang commander Datuk Dr Yee Thiam Sun, who are receiving the Darjah Gemilang Pangkuan Negeri (DGPN), which carries the Datuk Seri title.Sime Darby Property Bhd group managing director Datuk Azmir Merican Azmi Merican is also conferred the DGPN, as are Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department director Comm Datuk Khaw Kok Chin, Penang Economic Planning Division transport chief Datuk Lim Hock Seng, National Higher Education Fund Corporation chairman Datuk Norliza Abdul Rahim, Penang Muslim League president Datuk Haja Najmudeen KPM Abd Kader and Bank Negara Malaysia governor Datuk Shaik Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour.
Comm Khaw served as Penang police chief while Lim was a two-term state executive council member. Another nine individuals, including Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid will receive the Darjah Yang Mulia Pangkuan Negeri (DMPN), which carries the title Datuk.
Others receiving the DMPN are Malaysian Furniture Council adviser Datuk Cha Hoo Peng, former Penang deputy police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Mohamed Usuf Jan Mohamad as well as Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Malaysia national president Datuk William Ng Yan Meng.
Among those also granted the Datuk title with the conferment of Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri (DSPN) are Penang Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Sdn Bhd general manager Richard Chung Chok Yin, Penang Regional Development Authority chairman Datuk Shaikh Hussein Mydin and Malaysian Ambassador to Timor-Leste Amarjit Singh Sarjit Singh.
Chung was Star Publications (M) Sdn Bhd (now Star Media Group Bhd) regional operations manager (north).
A total of 103 recipients will receive the DSPN award during this year’s investiture ceremony.
Other recipients are Island Hospital medical director Dr Mohamed Amir Shah Abdul Aziz, Eco World Development Group Bhd divisional general manager Ho Kwee Hong, state Health Department director Dr Fazilah Shaik Allaudin, Penang Customs Department director Roselan Ramli, Penang Special Branch director Senior Asst Comm Winston Tan Thye Wah and artiste Abdul Rahim Muda or popularly known as Imuda.
Penang trade, entrepreneurial development and rural development committee chairman Rashidi Zinol and former Pulau Betong assemblyman Mohd Tuah Ismail are also conferred the DSPN, as are Penang Port Commission general manager Vijayaindiaran R. Viswalingam and Penang Water Supply Corporation chief executive officer K. Pathmanathan.
A soldier from the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment is receiving the Pingat Gagah Perwira, a medal conferred on those who display extraordinary courage and bravery in the face of extreme danger to themselves.Sjn Mazlan Abdul Rahman dived off Penang Bridge on Jan 15 this year to save two people who fell off the bridge.
A total of 142 are conferred awards leading to honorary titles while another 1,204 will receive medals and stars to mark their service to society.
Of the other state awards and medals, 102 are receiving the Darjah Johan Negeri, 30 are receiving the Bintang Cemerlang Negeri, 205 are conferred the Pingat Kelakuan Terpuji, 328 will receive the Pingat Jasa Kebaktian; 516, Pingat Jasa Masyarakat and 22, Pingat Bakti Setia.
