VETERAN DAP politician Lim Kit Siang expressed his gratitude to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah for awarding him the Darjah Kebesaran Panglima Setia Mahkota (PSM) that carries the title “Tan Sri”. 

“I am very thankful to Agong and feel honoured,” Lim told reporters after the award investiture ceremony at Istana Negara here today. 

The 82-year-old politician posted his thanks to all parties for their congratulations on Facebook, and said that he still preferred being called Kit. 

Meanwhile, Dewan Rakyat speaker Johari Abdul, 68, who also received the PSM award, described it as a motivation for him to continue to serve the country. 

“Alhamdulillah, I thank Tuanku (Al-Sultan Abdullah) for bestowing this award to me. As the prime minister said, he is working hard to ensure that the people understand him, and I am in the wings helping to realise what is expected, InsyaAllah,” he told reporters today.

Johari, who was appointed Dewan Rakyat speaker on December 19, 2019, was among the 839 individuals who were conferred federal awards, honours, and medals in conjunction with the King’s official birthday today.

25 other individuals received the PSM award, including Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Abdul Rahman Sebli, Federal Court judge Nallini Patmanathan and former menteri besar of Kelantan, the late Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat. 

Nik Aziz’s eldest son, Nik Aini, expressed his gratitude for the posthumous conferment of the award to his father. 

“Syukur Alhamdulillah to Tuanku on the honour conveyed and my family are very grateful and thank His Majesty,” he said. 

Nik Aziz, who was also PAS spiritual leader, died of prostate cancer after being treated for 25 days at the Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital in February 2015. 

Yayasan Kebajikan Artis Tanahair chairman, singer Irwan Shah Abdullah @ DJ Dave was conferred the Panglima Jasa Negara award, which carries the title “Datuk”. He said the award from the King would make him work harder in future. 

“I will continue to serve the country and help those in need, especially artistes in Malaysia,” he said. – Bernama, June 5, 2023.