| Lyna Mohamad |
A MALAYSIAN army officer was among the 202 recipients who received the State Honorary Medals yesterday at the Istana Nurul Iman.
Major Zulhilmi bin Masdar from the Malaysian Armed Forces is the first Malaysian army officer to be honoured with the Most Blessed Order of Setia Negara Brunei 4th Class (PSB) Medal.
He is attached to the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) as an attachment instructor at the Training Institute of the RBAF for the past three years.
On behalf of the Malaysian Government and the Malaysian Armed Forces, he expressed his gratitude and Junjung Kasih to 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 for conferring the medal upon him.
The officer who is serving in Brunei for the past eight years also expressed appreciation to his fellow colleagues at the RBAF for their endless support, friendship and brotherhood they have extended to him.
“It means so much to me, having the opportunity to be attached here with the RBAF. I have never faced any bad experience here as everybody knows each other very well and we respect each other very well, and we share joy and sadness together,” he said.
He also noted that serving here has been a smooth sailing for him as “the working environment and challenges are almost the same as in Malaysia, which shares almost the same culture of Brunei”.
Businessman Chan Kon Fong also expressed his deepest gratitude and Junjung Kasih to His Majesty for giving him the recognition and awarding him with the PSB Medal.
“Brunei is a peaceful country, thanks to the wise leadership of the monarch, the people here live in peace and tranquility. It is also good to see the deep concern and care His Majesty has for his people, providing them with land and houses, free education and health to ensure that his subjects are well taken care of. He is truly the king of the nation.”
Chan, who owns a Chinese pharmacy shop in Kiulap, also wished His Majesty and other members of the royal family good health and long life.
Pengiran Hajah Fatimah binti Pengiran Haji Md Noor, who has been with the Information Department for the past 30 years, said she feels honoured to be part of the medal recipients yesterday and to receive the medal personally from His Majesty.
“I would like to express my deepest Junjung Kasih to His Majesty for awarding me with the state medal and I pledge to work harder and give my very best service as a senior editor. I hope this will also motivate my colleagues to work harder.
“What is important is the persistence, honesty and commitment towards one’s respective responsibilities at work. Display of determination and commitment is most important in meeting the requirements of respective departments, achieving the goals and fulfilling responsibilities diligently,” she added.
Medal recipient Hajah Nurol Akmar binti Haji Mohd Jaafar of Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD), said, “This is the initial inauguration for me in the private sector, particularly in the banking sector. This recognition is not just for me or BIBD, but the entire banking industry which is committed to support His Majesty and his Vision 2035.”
Hajah Nurol Akmar, who has been with BIBD for the past 22 years and is now the Head of Retail Banking Group of the bank, added that this recognition truly humbles her and will encourage her to be more dedicated in her work.
Acting Director of Drainage and Sewerage at the Public Works Department Justina Liew Vun Ching was the only medal recipient from the Ministry of Development yesterday.
“I am very privileged to receive the Most Honorable Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei 3rd Class (SMB). As a humble subject of His Majesty, I express my gratitude and joy on this auspicious day for receiving the medal. I feel blessed and honoured as one of today’s recipients.
“As a public servant, we must stay focussed and positive. Take up the challenges and make the best out of them through commitment and perseverance. And at the same time, stay humble and rooted. We as public servants must provide the best service to the people and be loyal to our leader and our allegiance must be towards His Majesty and his Government,” she added.
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