KUCHING: Pandelela Rinong Pamg is now a Datuk after she was conferred the Darjah Yang Amat Mulia Bintang Sarawak, Panglima Setia Bintang Sarawak (PSBS) in conjunction with Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud's 85th birthday celebration.
Heading the list of 40 state awards recipients today was former Dewan Negara's Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abang Ahmad Urai Datu Hakim Abang Mohideen.
Abang Ahmad Urai received the Darjah Utama Yang Amat Mulia Bintang Kenyalang Sarawak, Datuk Amar Bintang Kenyalang (DA) that carries the title 'Datuk Amar'.
The state awards were conferred at Dewan Lapau of the Sarawak State Assembly (DUN) complex, here.
Also receiving the DA posthumously is a former member of Sarawak's first cabinet, the late Datuk Amar Pengiran Hipni Pengiran Anu.
Meanwhile, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri; Sarawak Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and Sarawak Transport Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin are among six individuals who received the Panglima Negara Bintang Sarawak (PNBS) award which carries the title 'Datuk Seri'.
Taib also conferred the Darjah Utama Yang Amat Mulia Bintang Kenyalang Sarawak, Panglima Gemilang Bintang Kenyalang (PGBK) which carries the title 'Datuk' to Corporate Affairs and Public Communication Unit Sarawak (UKAS) Assistant Minister Datuk Abdullah Saidol and Managing Director of the Shin Yang Group of Companies Datuk James Ling Lu Kiong.
Meanwhile, the Darjah Jasa Bakti Sarawak (DJBS) which carries the title 'Datu' was awarded to 12 recipients including Resident of Sri Aman Division Datu Indit Bangai, Permanent Secretary of the Sarawak Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Ministry Datu Edwin Abit, former State Education Director Datu Dr Azhar Ahmad and Kuching Division Resident Datu Sherrina Hussaini.
Other recipients of the award are Datu Dr Rashidah Bolhassan, Datu Jack Aman Luat, Datu Hashim Bojet, Datu Muhammad Yakup Kari, Datu Abdullah Julaihi, Datu Khiruddin Drahman@Hussaini and Associate Professor Datu Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel.
The PSBS was also conferred on 16 other recipients besides Pandelela, namely Dewan Negara Senator Datuk Dr. Zaidi Suhaili, Dewan Negara Senator Datuk Dr. Nuing Jeluing, Samalaju Assemblyman Datuk Majang Renggi, Layar Assemblyman Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu, Datuk Dr Zaleha Christine Abdullah, Lingga Assemblywoman Datuk Simoi Peri, Datuk Dona Babil, Datuk Polit Hamzah, Sarawak Deputy Commisioner of Police Datuk Mancha Ata, Datuk Dr. Spencer Empading Sanggin, Datuk Dr. Chin Zin Hing, Datuk Haidar Khan Asghar Khan, Datuk Austin Dimin Niyon,Datuk Ir. Christopher Adrian, Datuk Chai Voon Tok and Datuk Wilfred Billy Panyau.
Also present at the conferment ceremony were Taib's wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and wife Datuk Amar Juma'ani Tun Tuanku Bujang, Deputy Chief Ministers, Speaker of Dewan Undangan Negeri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar, Ministers, State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion and other dignitaries.