Honoured for devotion to patients

Dr Mohamed Amir (right) holds up his Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri award. He is accompanied by his brother Mohamed Amar Shah. — Photos: LIM BENG TATT and CHAN BOON KAI/The Star

Over the decades, Datuk Dr Mohamed Amir Shah Abdul Aziz has witnessed suffering and loss caused by cancer.

“In 2004, when I was thinking of specialising, I chose oncology after I saw many patients in pain and dying of cancer.

“I saw their struggle and how they lost their lives.

“Little did I know, my own parents would also succumb to it years later,” said Dr Mohamed Amir.

While he was an oncology specialist and managed to treat them, the experience still hit close to home.

“This is why it is important to me to provide the best care and treatment for my patients, as it is personal for me,” he said at the Penang investiture ceremony for state awards, medals and honours held at Dewan Sri Pinang, in George Town.

Dr Mohamed Amir, 46, was one of the recipients of the Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri (DSPN) which carries the title “Datuk”.

He said it was the happiest day of his life and he was appreciative of the award.

The medical director and clinical oncology senior consultant at Icon Oncology, Island Hospital, said his goal was to help as many people as possible.

Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department director Comm Datuk Seri Khaw Kok Chin was one of the 28 to receive the Darjah Gemilang Pangkuan Negeri (DGPN), which carries the “Datuk Seri” title.

Comm Khaw received the DGPN that carries the Datuk Seri title.

Comm Khaw, who was the Penang police chief until earlier this year, said the state holds a special place in his heart.

“I am moved and grateful for the recognition given to me.Although I have moved to Bukit Aman, it is nice to receive this (award) here,” he said.

“I am not new to Penang, as I was stationed here for eight years before my move to Bukit Aman.

“Even now, I come back to Penang for work often,” added Comm Khaw has been in the force for 34 years.

There were 1,346 recipients of state awards, medals and honours presented in conjunction with the 75th birthday celebration of the Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak.

Topping the list of recipients was Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang, who received the Darjah Utama Pangkuan Negeri (DUPN) that comes with the “Datuk Seri Utama” title, Penang’s highest state award.

During the first day of the ceremony, Ahmad Fuzi awarded the Pingat Kelakuan Terpuji (PKT) posthumously to the late Commander Muhammad Firdaus Ramli, who was one of the 10 Royal Malaysian Navy crew members killed after two choppers collided during rehearsal in Lumut, Perak, on April 23.

Penang Speaker Datuk Seri Law Choo Kiang received the Darjah Gemilang Pangkuan Negeri award.

Accepting the award was Muhammad Firdaus’ father.

Other notable recipients were E&O Bhd executive chairman Datuk Seri Tee Eng Ho, who received the DGPN award.

Polytechnic and Community College Education Department (JPPKK) director-general Datuk Dr Mohd Zahari Ismail was conferred the DSPN award, while Malaysia Book of Records chief executive officer Christopher Wong and Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Penang Chapter chairman Carolyn Leong received the Darjah Johan Negeri (DJN).