SEREMBAN: Malaysian astronaut Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor is among 18 people who will be bestowed the Darjah Dato' Setia Negri Sembilan (DSNS) which carries the title "Datuk", in conjunction with the 86th birthday of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negri Sembilan, Tuanku Ja'afar Tuanku Abdul Rahman.

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar, who will celebrate his 36th birthday on July 27, was born in Petaling Jaya but moved to Seremban soon after where he completed his primary education at St Paul's Institution before continuing his studies at Maktab Rendah Sains Mara in Johor.

He will receive his award at an investiture ceremony, to be held at Istana Besar Seri Menanti in Kuala Pilah today.

State secretary Datuk Norzam Mohd Nor and state executive councillors Ismail Taib and Mohammad Razi Kail will also receive the DSNS. Ismail is the state Health, Science, Technology and Innovation committee chairman while Mohammad holds the Tourism, Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage portfolio.

Also receiving the DSNS are Sungai Lui assemblyman Zainal Abidin Ahmad, Puteri Wangsa (Johor) assemblyman Abdul Halim Suleiman, Warisan Harta Sabah Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Abdul Rahman Abdul Ghani, Armed Forces head of signal regiment Brig Gen Noordin Mohd Yusoff, Seremban Wanita Umno chief Datin Maimunah Abd Wahab and Energy, Water and Communications Ministry deputy secretary-general I, Dr Mohd Padzil Hashim.
Other DSNS recipients are consultant orthodontist Dr Philip Ting Chong Sing, Brunsfield Corporation Sdn Bhd group managing director Gan Thian Leong, Genting Berhad head of strategic investments and corporate affairs Justin Leong Ming Loong, Seremban MIC chief S. Krishnan, company director Mohammad Caezar Musa, Public Bank Islamic banking division director Mohammed Najeeb Abdullah, Affin Investment Bank head of stockbroking Saiful Bahri Zainuddin and Atlan Holdings Berhad chairman Datuk Seri Adam Sani Abdullah.

A total of 22 people will receive the Darjah Dato' Paduka Ja'afar (DPTJ), which also carries the title "Datuk", including two who will receive the DPTJ (Kehormat) -- Appco Group Malaysia Sdn Bhd deputy president James Iskandar Jaafar Greaves and Sime Darby (China region) chief executive officer Lu Desheng Louis.

Other recipients are national badminton legend Ng Boon Bee, Negri Sembilan legal adviser Tuan Ishak Sahari, Negri Sembilan Land and Mines Department director Zaffarudin Sharif, and Rural and Regional Development Ministry deputy secretary-general Md Basar Abd Rahman.

The rest include Negri Sembilan development director Mat Ali Hassan, Foreign Ministry department of policy and strategy planning director-general Dr Fauziah Mohd Taib, nephrology specialist Dr Wan Shariah Md Yusuf, Strong Roots Holding executive chairman Gan Kim Chong, Association of Bumiputera Women Entrepreneurs president Rokiah Omar, Negri Sembilan MCA culture and arts bureau chairman Ho Yok Kee, Taman Jasmin MIC branch chairman K. Durai Kandasamy and Qalam Dinar Enterprise Sdn Bhd manager Kamarulnizam Mohd Sharip.

Lawyer Thomas Koh Boon Thye, retired teacher Parameswaran M.P. Nair, Negri Sembilan deputy police chief Senior Assistant Commissioner II Abd Manan Mhd Hassan, Negri Sembilan Islamic Religious Council member Muhamad Salleh Yasin, Negri Sembilan palace official Zainal Abidin Mokhtar, Usaha Damai Gas Sdn Bhd managing director Radin Firdaus Radin Lockman, SP&G Insurance Brokers managing director Zakaria Meranun, and Senior Assistant Commissioner II Ramli Hassan, also made it to the list.

Twenty will receive the Darjah Setia Negeri Sembilan (DNS), including Seremban police chief Assistant Commissioner Saiful Azly Kamaruddin, former Jempol district officer, the late Arifin Abd Latif, Kuala Pilah district officer Asis Ujang, State Works Department director Dr Roslan Md Taha and Port Dickson district officer Johani Hassan.

Nineteen others will receive the Pingat Pekerti Terpilih (PPT), while seven will receive the Jaksa Pendamai (JP).