MELAKA: Chief Secretary to the Government Datuk Seri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar heads the list of 650 recipients of the state awards and medals bestowed in conjunction with the 75th birthday of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Dr Mohd Ali Rustam.
Shamsul Azri was conferred the Darjah Gemilang Seri Melaka (DGSM), which carries the title “Datuk Seri”, during the investiture ceremony held at Seri Negeri in Ayer Keroh here.
The other recipient of DGSM was Army chief Jen Tan Sri Mohammad Ab Rahman.
State MCA chairman and Klebang assemblyman Datuk Lim Ban Hong and Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry secretary-general Datuk Roslan Abdul Rahman are among 10 individuals conferred the Darjah Cemerlang Seri Melaka (DCSM), which carries the title “Datuk Wira”.
Lim is also the special adviser to the Melaka Chief Minister on investment and China affairs.
Umno Youth chief and state executive councillor Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh was conferred the Darjah Mulia Seri Melaka (DMSM), which carries the title “Datuk”.
Other recipients of DMSM were state health, human resources and unity committee chairman Ngwe Hee Sem and state youth, sports and non-governmental organisations committee chairman VP Shanmugam.
All the recipients were present to receive the state awards and medals during the second session of the ceremony held in the afternoon yesterday.
Among those who received the Darjah Pangkuan Seri Melaka (DPSM), which carries the title “Datuk”, were Tourism Malaysia director-general Manoharan Periasamy, Alor Gajah district officer Sabrina Thalas and senior consultant surgeon Dr Ravi Kumar Thirunavukarasu.
Lawyer and legal adviser to state entrepreneur, cooperatives development and consumer affairs committee, Kent Tan Chow Teng, received the Bintang Khidmat Terpuji (BKT).
Also present during the ceremony were Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.
Muhammad Rizanizam Abdul Hamid of the Malaysia Gazette and China Press journalist Wong Chow Kee are among four local media practitioners who received the Pingat Jasa Kebaktian (PJK).
The third session of the investiture ceremony will be held today.
