A total of 653 people ranging from long serving officers to a pilot, from hard working teacher to good performance clerk and uniformed officers with a clean sheet, received their medals yesterday.

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan and Brunei Darussalam consented to award the medals as recognition for their loyal services. Fifty-four people received the Pingat Jasa Kebaktian (PJK) or Meritorious Service Medals, 370 received Pingat Indah Kerja Baik (PIKB) and 229 people received Pingat Kerja Lama (PKL) or Long Service Medals.

The awards were presented in conjunction with the 62nd Birthday of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.

HRH Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince, representing His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam presented the medals at yesterday's ceremony at Istana Nurul Iman.

The JPK medals were awarded to 27 people from the Prime Minister's Office, 21 from the Ministry of Defence, five from the Ministry of Finance and one person from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The PIKB medals were awarded to 91 people from the PMO, 92 from Ministry of Defence, 23 from the Ministry of Finance, 38 from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 82 from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, 23 from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and 21 people from the Ministry of Communications.

The PKL medals were awarded to 86 people from the PMO, 26 from the Ministry of Defence, 29 from Ministry of Finance, 2 from Sultan's Flight, 6 from Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 27 from Ministry of Religious Affairs, 32 from Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and 21 from Ministry of Communications.

Present at the award presentation ceremony were members of the royal family, Cabinet Ministers, senior government ministers and foreign dignitaries and diplomats.

PJK recipient Awg Alias Haji Md Yusof, 52, who is working as Chief Technical Officer at Royal Brunei Police Force, was left "speechless" at receiving the honour and thanked His Majesty for the recognition. The award has motivated him to do even better work until retirement.

PJK recipient Nuriah bte Hj Kassim, 42, who has worked 15 years in government service, was elated at the recognition from His Majesty. Now with PWD, she said she received the PJK for her service as a confidential clerk at Mindef.

PIKB recipient Dahlan Hj Puasa, 42, Special Duty officer at PMO for 15 years, said a person must do his duty honestly and responsibly.

For PIKB recipient Cikgu Dk Hjh Seriani bte Hj Dini, 48, a religious knowledge teacher at St John's secondary school, doing an honest job paid off. She also dedicated her time conducting haj seminars for Darussalam Holding Sdn Bhd.

A British pilot, Richard D Harmer, who dedicated 30 years of his career in Sultan's Flight, also received an award, which he never expected. He was thankful to His Majesty. - Borneo Bulletin (20th Mar 2009)