THE late ‘Tiger of Jelutong’ Karpal Singh has been conferred the Darjah Utama Pangkuan Negeri (DUPN) posthumously at the investiture ceremony to mark the 82nd birthday of Penang Governor Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas.
The investiture ceremony which was initially scheduled to be held on July 11 last year (2020), was held over two periods at two different locations this year – in Dewan Sri Pinang and Setia SPICE Convention Centre.
Karpal’s wife Gurmit Kaur received the award, which carries the Datuk Seri Utama title, on behalf of her late husband.
“I’m truly honoured to receive this award on behalf of my husband who had contributed to the country.
“This is a long-deserved recognition for his contributions,” Gurmit told reporters after the ceremony today.
She thanked the Penang government for the recognition.
Penang Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Commitee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said it brought tears to his eyes when he saw his mother receive the award on behalf of his father.
“My father is not here to accept it. It is a difficult time for my family, but at the same time it is an honour.
“An honour not just for my father, Karpal Singh, but also for the institution he was.
“When the state recognised the institution, it is a recognition for all Penangites. This is because the Penangites supported him.
“The state government recognised the difficult times we went through as a family and who he (Karpal) was – how strong he was as a lawyer to uphold justice for the people and his sacrifices for the state and country,” Jagdeep said.
Besides Karpal, Public Services Commission chairman Tan Sri Zainal Rahim Seman was also honoured as the recipient of the DUPN award, which is the state’s highest honour.
Zainal Rahim, who had served as a public servant for many years, said he was grateful to be conferred the award.
“Serving in the public sector gives me a chance to help the community in many ways.
“I have served in the local council, the district as a district officer, and also as a State Secretary in the past.
“My experience gave me the chance to serve the public in different ways. There were bittersweet memories during my service in Penang,” he said.
Zainal Rahim said civil servants have to be committed to providing service to the people.
“It is important that we do our work honestly and professionally,” Zainal Rahim said.
Penang Health Department director Dr Asmayani Khalib attributed her recognition to the frontliners in the Penang Health Department and the Health Ministry.
She was bestowed the Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri (DSPN), which carries the Datuk title, at the ceremony.
“The recognition gave us the spirit to provide our best service to the people,” Dr Asmayani said.
She urged the frontliners to continue the battle against Covid-19.
Dr Asmayani also appealed to the public to step forward and register for the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme.
“It is very important for us to obtain the herd immunity against the Covid-19,” she said.
Penang State Secretary Datuk Abdul Razak Jaafar was grateful to receive the Darjah Yang Mulia Pangkuan Negeri (DMPN).
He thanked the state and the Governor for the recognition.
“It is an honour for me to continue giving my best to serve the people and the state,” he said. The DMPN award carries the Datuk title.
Meanwhile, Penang police chief Comm Datuk Sahabudin Abd Manan also received the DMPN award.
“I am very happy and honoured to receive the award from the Governor,” he said.
Former assemblyman Ong Kok Fooi was bestowed the Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri (DSPN) award, which carries the Datuk title.
She thanked the state and the Governor for recognising her contributions.
The award presentation for Darjah Johan Negeri (DJN), Bintang Cemerlang Negeri (BCN), Pingat Kelakuan Terpuji (PKT), Pingat Jasa Kebaktian (PJK), Pingat Jasa Masyarakat (PJM) and Pingat Bakti Setia (PBS) was held from March 10 to 12 at the Dewan Sri Pinang.
A total of 56 Darjah Utama Pangkuan Negeri (DUPN), Darjah Panglima Pangkuan Negeri (DPPN), Darjah Gemilang Pangkuan Negeri (DGPN), Darjah Yang Mulia Pangkuan Negeri (DMPN) and Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri (DSPN) recipients received their awards today (March 17) at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre. The remaining 58 recipients will be conferred their awards tomorrow.
The list of recipients, which involves 829 individuals, for the state awards and medals has been gazetted on Dec 3 last year.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar
Video by Alissala Thian