Bandar seri begawan: His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, conferred State Honorary Medals to 693 recipients during a ceremony held at Balai Singgahsana Indera Kenchana, Istana Nurul Iman, in conjunction with His Majesty's 79th Birthday celebration. His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, officiated the ceremony as His Majesty's personal representative. His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Malik and His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Mateen were also in attendance.
According to Radio Television Brunei, the ceremony began with the conferment of the PINGAT JASA KEBAKTIAN or Meritorious Service Medal, PJK, to 30 recipients from the Ministry of Defence and one recipient from the private sector, supported by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.
A total of 600 recipients were awarded the Pingat Indah Kerja Baik, or Excellent Service Medal, PIKB. These recipients comprised officers and staff from various government departments, including His Majesty's Office, Prime Minister's Office, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Finance and Economy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, and Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism.
The PINGAT PAHLAWAN PERIWARA, PP, was conferred on 61 officers from the Ministry of Defence. Additionally, the PINGAT PENGLIMA LASGAR, PL, was awarded to 2 officers from the same ministry.
The ceremony concluded with a Doa Selamat read by Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Doctor Ustaz Awang Haji Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti.