Chua receives Sabah state award

STATE HONOUR: Dr Chua receiving his award from Ahmad Shahat the Istana Negri in Kota Kinabalu yesterday.

KOTA KINABALU: Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek headed the 145 recipients of state awards at an investiture ceremony at the Istana Negri here yesterday. 

He received the Seri Panglima Darjah Kinabalu, which carries the title Datuk Seri Panglima from Sabah Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Ahmad Shah Abdullah. 

Seven were awarded the Panglima Gemilang Darjah Kinabalu, which carries the title Datuk.  

They are Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park Sdn Bhd chairman Datuk Basali Abdul Hamid, Chemistry Department director Datuk Khalid Safan, former Sungai Sibuga state assemblyman Datuk Thien Fui Yun, Datuk Tham Koon Siong (father of state Science and Technology adviser Datuk Tham Nyip Shen), Tawau Umno Wanita chief Datuk Hamisa Samat, engineer Hasni Mohamad and Ismail Ibrahim. 

Present at the ceremony were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan and state Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Hajiji Mohd Noor. 

A total of 529 people were named in the awards list in conjunction with the Yang di-Pertua Negri’s official birthday on Sept 16.