Kuantan: Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup heads the list of 58 recipients of state awards, honours, and medals in conjunction with the 66th birthday of the Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah. The awards were presented by the Sultan at an investiture ceremony held at Balai Mahkota, Istana Abdulaziz.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the event was graced by the presence of the Tengku Ampuan of Pahang, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, and the Tengku Mahkota of Pahang, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah. Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail and members of the state leadership were also in attendance.
Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup was among the recipients of the prestigious Sri Sultan Ahmad Shah Pahang (SSAP) award, which carries the title Datuk Seri. Other notable SSAP recipients included Pahang state secretary Datuk Nazri Abu Bakar, Bank Negara governor Datuk Seri Shaik Abdul Rasheed Abdul Ghaffour, and Army chief General Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan.
The ceremony also saw the conferment of the SSAP on individuals such as Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) board member Datuk Seri Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin, MATRADE CEO Datuk Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz, and several other key figures from various sectors.
In addition to the SSAP, the Darjah Sri Indera Mahkota Pahang (SIMP), carrying the title Datuk Indera, was awarded to three individuals, including Pahang Finance officer Datuk Fadzilla Salleh. The Darjah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah (DSAS) was conferred on Pahang mufti Professor Datuk Dr Asmadi Mohamed Naim.
Eight individuals were honoured with the Darjah Sultan Ahmad Shah Pahang (DSAP), carrying the title Datuk, in recognition of their contributions to the state. The Darjah Indera Mahkota Pahang (DIMP), also carrying the title Datuk, was awarded to 26 individuals, acknowledging their various roles in public service and development.
The ceremony included a 21-gun salute and the playing of the state anthem, Allah Selamatkan Sultan Kami, marking the solemn and prestigious nature of the event.