PENANG has honoured over 1,500 individuals for their contributions to the state’s economic stability, infrastructure development and efforts to combat financial crime, in conjunction with the 84th official birthday of its newly appointed Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Tun Ramli Ngah Talib.
The list of 1,530 honourees includes key figures involved in addressing pressing state-level issues such as US-imposed import tariffs and money laundering activities.
Topping the list is Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, who will receive the Darjah Panglima Pangkuan Negeri (DPPN), carrying the honorific title of Dato’ Seri. Tengku Zafrul has led Malaysia’s negotiations with the United States over proposed 25% tariffs on imported goods.
Other DPPN recipients include Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Penang Malays Association president Tan Sri Dr Mohd Yussof Abdul Latif, and MMAG Holdings Berhad executive chairman Datuk Wira Farhash Wafa Salvador, who previously served as political secretary to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Seventeen individuals will be conferred the Darjah Gemilang Pangkuan Negeri (DGPN), which also carries the title Dato’ Seri. Among them are Penang State Secretary Dato’ Zulkifli Long; Transport Ministry Secretary-General Datuk M. Jana Santhiran; and Communications Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa. Both Santhiran and Fauzi were instrumental in securing federal approval for the Mutiara light rail transit (LRT) project and Penang’s 5G telecommunications upgrade.
Notable honourees also include retired badminton champion Datuk Wira Lee Chong Wei, UWC Berhad founder Datuk Ng Chai Eng, Public Gold Group executive chairman Datuk Wira Louis Ng Chun Hau, and Universiti Malaysia MAIWO vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Noor Inayah Ya’akub, who also established the institution.
DGPN awards were also conferred on Bukit Aman Special Unit director CP Datuk Seri Muhammed Hasbullah Ali and CP Datuk Hamzah Ahmad, director of Bukit Aman’s Integrity and Standards Department and former Penang police chief. Both played leading roles in the investigation into the now-defunct MBI Group, previously under scrutiny for alleged money laundering in Penang.
Other DGPN recipients include Legal Aid Department Director-General Dato’ Norazmi Mohd Narawi, Penang Malays Association chairman Datuk Abdul Wahab Hamid, Brazil’s Honorary Consul Datuk Chin Lye Kheng, Hokkien Kongsi trustee Datuk Ar Lawrence Lim Hua Kwang, and Pipesway Furniture managing director Datuk M. Chandra Kumar.
Among the Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri (DSPN) recipients—carrying the title Dato’—are State Legal Adviser Wan Nor Sakina Saad, State Land and Minerals Department director Dr Faizal Kamarudin, Penang Syariah Court Chief Justice YAA Za’im Md Yudin, High Court Justice YA Kenneth Yoong Ken Chinson St James, orthopaedic consultant Dr Goh Eng Tat, social activist K. Gunabalan, and Kwong Wah Yit Poh general manager Lee Hin Chan. Kwong Wah is the oldest Chinese-language newspaper in Penang.
Penang Football Club general manager Jeffrey Chew Gim Eam, an alumnus of St Xavier’s Institution, is among 85 recipients of the Darjah Johan Negeri.
Additional honours include the Bintang Cemerlang Negeri (43 recipients), Pingat Kelakuan Terpuji (222), Pingat Jasa Kebaktian (317), Pingat Jasa Masyarakat (641), and Pingat Bakti Setia (18).
Tun Ramli will personally confer the honours today, with further ceremonies scheduled on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. - July 26, 2025
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