Posthumous Tun for Azizan

KUALA LUMPUR: The late Tan Sri Azizan Zainul Abidin, who was president of Putrajaya Corporation and Petronas, was posthumously awarded the country’s highest award, the Seri Setia Mahkota Malaysia, which carries the title “Tun,” in conjunction with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s birthday today.

Azizan, who was a respected figure in the government sector and the corporate world, died on July 14, 2004 at the age of 68.

He is among 1,626 recipients of awards and medals in conjunction with the celebration this year.

Four people were awarded the Panglima Mangku Negara, which carries the “Tan Sri” title. They are Public Services Department director-general Tan Sri Ismail Adam, Malaysian Defence Forces chief Jen Tan Sri Azizan Ariffin, Parti Bersatu Sabah president Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan and Nippon Foundation chairman Yohei Sasakawa.

Thirty-three people received the Panglima Setia Mahkota, which also carries the “Tan Sri” title. They include Federal Court judges Datuk Seri James Foong Cheng Yuen, Datuk Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin and Datuk Wira Mohd Ghazali Mohd Yusoff; Inland Revenue Board chief executive officer Datuk Hasmah Abdullah; Olympic Council of Malaysia deputy president Datuk Dr M. Jegathesan; former Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn; and Sumurwang Group executive chairman Tan Sri Lim Kim Hong.

Forty-two people received the Panglima Jasa Negara award which carries the “Datuk” title.

Among them are Solicitor-General (II) Datuk Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden, former News Straits Times group editor Hardev Kaur, Seniman Malaysia film director and script writer Datuk Jamil Sulong, Alzheimer’s Foundation trustee Toh Puan Dr Aishah Ong and Sri Maha Mariamman Temple Dhevasthanam chairman Datuk R. Nadraja. — Bernama