By H.P AHMAD
MELAKA, Aug 25, 2026 — Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek headed the list of 1,328 recipients of Melaka state orders, appointments, decorations and medals conferred in conjunction with the 77th birthday of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Tun Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam.
The investiture ceremony was held on Monday at Balai Istiadat Seri Negeri in Ayer Keroh.
Tun Mohd Ali attended the ceremony with his wife, Toh Puan Datuk Wira (Dr) Hajah Asmah Abdul Rahman.
Also present were Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Utama Ab Rauf Yusoh and his wife, Datin Seri Utama Datuk Wira Zuriyah Ab Aziz.
Fadhlina received the Darjah Gemilang Seri Melaka (DGSM), which carries the title Datuk Seri.
Other prominent DGSM recipients included Chief Judge of Malaya Datuk Seri Hashim Hamzah, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohd Khalid Ismail and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman.
The honour was also conferred on Royal Malaysian Air Force Chief General Tan Sri Muhamad Norazlan Aris; PETRONAS Downstream Executive Vice-President and Chief Executive Officer Datuk Seri Sazali Hamzah; and Malaysian National Silat Federation president Datuk Seri Megat Zulkarnain Omardin.
In the next category, 56 recipients were awarded the Darjah Cemerlang Seri Melaka (DCSM), which carries the title Datuk Wira.
They included Benut assemblyman Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan, Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk M. Kumar, National Solid Waste Management Department director-general Datuk Dr Mohd Azhar Abd Hamid and Melaka police chief Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar.
Another 14 individuals received the Darjah Mulia Seri Melaka (DMSM), carrying the title Datuk.
Among them were Sabah State Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker Datuk Al Hambra Juhar, High Court judge Datuk Suria Kumar Durairaj Johnson Paul and Third Infantry Division commander Major General Datuk Sani S. Omar.
A further 189 recipients were conferred the Darjah Pangkuan Seri Melaka (DPSM), which also carries the title Datuk.
They included Broadcasting Department director-general Datuk Ashwad Ismail; Media Prima Berhad Group Editor for News and Current Affairs Datuk Azhari Muhiddin; Merlimau-born singer Siti Roziana Zain, better known as Ziana Zain; and entrepreneur Ahmad Falahdini Dato’ Baharudin.
Five individuals were appointed Justices of the Peace, while 106 recipients were awarded the Darjah Seri Melaka (DSM).
The honours list also comprised 151 recipients of the Bintang Cemerlang Melaka, 244 recipients of the Bintang Khidmat Terpuji, 386 recipients of the Pingat Jasa Kebaktian, 161 recipients of the Pingat Bakti Masyarakat and five recipients of the Pingat Khidmat Lama.
Melaka State Secretary Datuk Wira Salhah Salleh said the awards demonstrated the state’s recognition of individuals who had served and contributed across various fields.
Their contributions, she said, had supported Melaka’s development and the well-being of its people.
Salhah said the 2026 investiture was coordinated with all relevant agencies and conducted according to established procedures and protocols to ensure the smooth running of the proceedings, as well as the safety and comfort of recipients and guests.
The investiture programme comprises three sessions, beginning today. The second and third sessions are scheduled to take place on Wednesday, Aug 26. – TNS NEWS