BY Azlan Othman

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam consented to award State Honorary Medals of Brunei Darussalam to 300 recipients at Balai Singgahsana Indera Kenchana, Istana Nurul Iman on Thursday, in honour of the monarch’s birthday celebration.

Conferring the medals as personal representative of His Majesty was His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office.

His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen and His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah were also in attendance.

Ninety-five recipients, comprising 81 males and 14 females, were conferred Pingat Jasa Kebaktian (PJK). They were personnel from the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Development, Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications and Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, as well as national polo and wushu athletes, and members of the Brunei Darussalam Scouts Association.

Among the recipients of PJK were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah, who is the manager and head of the nation’s polo team and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Muda Abdul Qawi, a national polo athlete.

One recipient received Pingat Bakti Laila Ikhlas (PBLI) and 204 officers and staff of the Prime Minister’s Office, were bestowed with Pingat Indah Kerja Baik (PIKB).

A Doa Selamat was read by State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned to bless the event.

Cabinet ministers, members of Privy Council, deputy ministers, diplomats, permanent secretaries, deputy permanent secretaries and heads of departments were also in attendance.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin