Penang: Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz was conferred the Darjah Panglima Pangkuan Negeri (DPPN) award, which carries the title Datuk Seri, in conjunction with Penang Governor Tun Ramli Ngah Talib's 84th birthday celebration today.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the award was presented during the investiture ceremony at Dewan Sri Pinang, in recognition of Tengku Zafrul's services and contributions in strengthening the national economy and attracting strategic investments, particularly into Penang.

'I am truly grateful to His Excellency the Governor of Penang for this honour. MITI will continue to strive to ensure that Penang remains a hub for investment and trade,' he told reporters after the investiture ceremony.

Tengku Zafrul is one of the key figures in driving Malaysia's investment and trade sectors. Under his leadership, Penang has continued to grow as a major hub for high-tech and semiconductor industries in the region.

A former CIMB Group chief executive officer, Tengku Zafrul graduated from the University of Bristol, United Kingdom, with a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Economics and Accounting, and obtained a Master of Arts (MA) in Finance and Management from the University of Exeter, United Kingdom.

A total of 389 individuals received the state awards, honours, and medals, including six recipients of the Darjah Gemilang Pangkuan Negeri (DGPN), two recipients of the Darjah Yang Mulia Pangkuan Negeri (DMPN), and 29 recipients of the Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri (DSPN), on the second day of the investiture ceremony.