KUANTAN: Titles and state honours should not be used as an excuse for abusing power, nor are they mere ornaments or sources of pride at social gatherings, says Sultan of Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.
His Royal Highness said these awards represent a symbol of dignity, trust and honour – attributes reserved for those who uphold integrity and respect the laws of the state.
“Such honours cannot and will not protect individuals who violate the law, betray the state or undermine justice.
“I will not tolerate the misuse of the honour bestowed upon individuals to oppress others, steal state resources or tarnish the reputation of the royal institution,” Sultan Abdullah said during the investiture ceremony held at Balai Mahkota, Istana Abdulaziz here yesterday, Bernama reported.
His Royal Highness said effective immediately, any individual holding state titles found to be involved in criminal activities, corruption, land encroachment, illegal mining or logging without a permit, will face immediate suspension or revocation.
The state Ruler added that to date, 49 out of 67 individuals are awaiting the revocation of their state honours due to various violations.
On the issue of illegal land encroachment, Sultan Abdullah called for a comprehensive inspection, investigation and strict enforcement across all districts.
On honours list: (From left) Mohd Mustafa, Khairussaleh, Liang, Dr Mohd Farid and Brig-Jen Row.
Meanwhile, Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup heads the list of 58 recipients of state awards, honours and medals in conjunction with the 66th birthday of Sultan Abdullah.
Also in attendance were Tengku Ampuan of Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah and Tengku Mahkota of Pahang Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah.
Arthur was among the recipients of the Sri Sultan Ahmad Shah Pahang (SSAP) award, which carries the title Datuk Seri, along with Pahang state secretary Datuk Nazri Abu Bakar, Bank Negara governor Datuk Seri Shaik Abdul Rasheed Abdul Ghaffour and army chief Jen Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan.
Also conferred the SSAP were Matrade board member Datuk Seri Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin, Matrade chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz, Finance Ministry director of the National Budget Office Datuk Ab Rahim Ab Rahman and Health Ministry (MOH) deputy secretary-general (finance) Datuk Zahrul Hakim Abdullah.
Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad, Bukit Aman Management Department director Datuk Abdul Aziz Abdul Majid, Malayan Banking Bhd group president and CEO Datuk Khairussaleh Ramli and National Heart Institute head of the Cardiology Department Datuk Dr Azmee Mohd Ghazi were also awarded the SSAP.
Other SSAP recipients were B.Grimm And Co chairman Datuk Dr HC Harald Link, Prima Merdu Sdn Bhd chairman and executive director Datuk Amer Hamzah Ahmad, Tong Chun Development Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Ken Ng Chee Kean and Magma Group Bhd group managing director Datuk Liang Chee Fong.
The Darjah Sri Indera Mahkota Pahang (SIMP), which carries the title Datuk Indera, was conferred on Pahang financial officer Datuk Fadzilla Salleh, former Perkep chairman Puan Sri Zainah Othman and National Unity and Integration Department director-general Datuk Che Roslan Che Daud.
Pahang mufti Prof Datuk Dr Asmadi Mohamed Naim was the sole recipient of the Darjah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah (DSAS), which carries the title Datuk.
Eight individuals received the Darjah Sultan Ahmad Shah Pahang (DSAP), which also carries the title Datuk.
They included Pahang legal adviser Muhammad Saifuddin Hashim Musaimi, Pahang Land and Mines director Datuk Razihan Adzharuddin, deputy state secretary (development) Datuk Ali Syahbana Sabaruddin and Air Region 2 commander (Labuan) Mjr-Jen Datuk Norli Hisham Alwi.
Also receiving the DSAP award were Comptroller of the Royal Household of the Sultan of Pahang Mjr-Jen Datuk Mohamed Zahari Yahya, Radzuan Radziwill Boutique founder Datuk Radzuan Radzi, Jaxer Sdn Bhd founder and executive director Mohd Faizal Abdullah and Sendayu Tinggi Holdings Sdn Bhd director-general Mohamad Zaidi Aziz.
The Darjah Indera Mahkota Pahang (DIMP), which carries the title Datuk, was awarded to 26 individuals, including Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission intelligence division senior director Datuk Saiful Ezral Arifin and Universiti Islam Selangor vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Farid Ravi Abdullah.
Other recipients included Malaysian ambassador to Lebanon Azri Mat Yacob, Pahang JBPM director Mohd Razam Taja Rahim, MOH human resources division secretary Noor Azman Abdul Rahman and Sabah Public Works deputy director Mohd Shamsul Nizam Abdul Wahid.
Also conferred the DIMP were defence attache at the Malaysian embassy in Jakarta Brig-Jen Azrin Iskandar Zulkaply, director-general of the defence operations branch Brig-Jen Mohd Rafi Muhammad, Air Defence Artillery Group commander Brig-Jen Azhar Mustapha and chief of staff of Esscom (air operations division) Brig-Jen Ivan John Row.
At the ceremony, Sultan Abdullah also conferred the Ahli Mahkota Pahang (AMP) award on four individuals, including Deputy Supt Nik Mohammed Syukry Nik Husain, who serves as police escort to the 6th Prime Minister and Pahang Umno Youth vice-chief Wan Azam Wan Rosdy.
