| Aziz Idris |
A TOTAL of 617 government officials, uniformed personnel and members of the private sector were awarded with state honorary medals for their services to the country, in the second investiture ceremony held yesterday at the Istana Nurul Iman.
By command of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, represented the monarch in conferring the medals.
A total of 39 men and 15 women received the Pingat Jasa Kebaktian (PJK) or the Meritorious Service Medal, while 256 men and 307 women were conferred with the Pingat Indah Kerja Baik (PIKB) or Excellent Service Medal.
The recipients are employed under various ministries, including the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Development, Ministry of Communications, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, as well as from the Gurkha Reserve Unit and the private sector.
Accompanying His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik.
His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, presenting a Meritorious Service Medal (PJK) to one of the male recepients. – PHOTOS: AZROL AZMI
His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik during the event
ABOVE & BELOW: His Royal Highness the Crown Prince presenting the Meritorious Service Medal (PJK) to male and female recipients
ABOVE & BELOW: His Royal Highness the Crown Prince presenting the Excellent Service Medal (PIKB) to male and female recipients
Also in attendance were Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz bin Pengiran Jaya Negara Pengiran Haji Abu Bakar, the Chief of Adat Istiadat Negera; members of councils; cabinet ministers; deputy ministers; Pengiran-Pengiran Peranakan; and Pehin-Pehin Manteri.
Also present at the ceremony were members of the Diplomatic Corps, permanent secretaries, heads of departments and village heads.
Two more award ceremonies are expected to be held this month. Last Saturday, 636 people were conferred with state honorary medals.
The ceremony concluded with a recitation of the Doa Selamat by Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti.
Some of the female recipients of the Excellent Service Medal (PIKB). – AZROL AZMI
Koo Kong Loi, one of the Meritorious Service Medal (PJK) recipients. – AZIZ IDRIS
Meanwhile, one of the PJK recipients, Koo Kong Loi, who has been in service with Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP) Co Sdn Bhd for over 42 years, had words of advice for today’s young generation:
“Don’t hesitate to ask your co-workers or your superiors for guidance. You will learn new things and gain more experience in life. If you fail, it doesn’t mean you are a complete failure. Learn from your mistakes, learn to take all information, but learn how to filter. Take in the good, throw away the bad,” he said.
Koo held various positions within BSP during his 42-year-long tenure. He retired in April 2015, but his services were still required, and he was called back to work on a contract basis.
Prior to his PJK award, Koo Kong Loi was awarded with the PIKB several years ago. He has been actively involved with every national-level event since 1984, and has also engaged in charitable projects through various non-government organisations (NGOs).
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