KUCHING: A total of 227 individuals were honoured at the Sarawak State Awards Ceremony held at the Dewan Santapan, Sarawak Legislative Assembly Complex here on Tuesday.

The investiture ceremony saw the presentation of various awards and medals in recognition of the recipients' merit, service and extraordinary contributions to the state and society.

The ceremony was officiated by the Sarawak Governor, Tun Pehin Sri Dr. Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and was accompanied by his wife, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi.

It began with the presentation of the award to the only recipient of the Pingat Perkhidmatan Cemerlang (P.P.C), to Datin Helen Lim Hui Shyan.

For the Darjah Yang Amat Mulia Bintang Sarawak-Pegawai Bintang Sarawak (P.B.S), among the recipients were Japar Mustapa, and Dr. Stephen William.

Meanwhile, the Darjah Utama Yang Amat Mulia Bintang Kenyalang Sarawak-Pegawai Bintang Kenyalang (P.B.K) was awarded to 19 individuals, including Rais Ahmat, Mohd Irwan Abdullah, Ting Sie Loh, and Joseph Chioh Hock Hua.

In addition, the Pingat Perkhidmatan Bakti (P.P.B) was also awarded to over 20 recipients including Ir. Ahmad Aripin Saiman, Denny Lim, Dr. Charlie Dudang, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Zuriawati Zainal Abidin, and Aidawati Mustapha.

For the Ahli Bintang Sarawak (A.B.S), among the recipients were Nicholas Bawin Burong, Ritchell Sidi, Wong King Ho, Walter Chang, Norliza Mohamad Salleh, and Sussie Stuart (on behalf of the late Soontik Changkan).

The awarding also involved the Ahli Bintang Kenyalang (A.B.K) with more than 30 recipients including Abdullah Madil, Ahmad Yusof Abdul Razak, Kenedy Bungsu, Dr. Zurwina Sharkawi, Hasmah Hasbi, and Surya Bily.

For the Pingat Perkhidmatan Terpuji (P.P.T) category, recipients included Alex Samson, Jumadi Ahmad, Nur Dayana Abdullah, and Rosnah Tudin.

The ceremony concluded with the presentation of the Bentara Bintang Sarawak (B.B.S) to more than 40 recipients, including Ibau Emang, Charlie Avit Anyi, John Tik, Jalil Ladi, Aida Pakar, Jennifer Seping Ajeng, and Saloma Jamit.

This award reflects the Sarawak Government's appreciation to those who have served and played an important role in the development of the state and the well-being of the people.

Also present were the Speaker of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar and his wife Puan Sri Datin Amar Fatimah Mohamad Iskandar, Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development, Dato Sri Dr. Stephen Rundi Utom and his wife Datin Sri Loretta Sawot, Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Administration), Datu Buckland Bangik and other distinguished guests. -UKASnews