Tan San Leong, 71-year-old Chung Hwa School Chairman who received a PIK medal, said it was the third award he had been nominated for after Excellent Service Medal and PSB (Most Blessed Order of Loyalty to the State of Brunei, or, Darjah Setia Negara Brunei Yang Amat Bahagia Fourth Class).

He added that the medals awarded to him would give him extra impetus to work harder and

Dk Rokiyah binti Pengiran Haji Md Asraff from the Housing Development Department under the Ministry of Development was among the female recipients of the award yesterday.

Dk Rokiyah, who received an Excellent Service Medal, said being nominated was already an honour as it showed that her efforts to improve her work had been noticed and appreciated by the government.

Meanwhile, Excellent Service Medal recipients Mrs. Corazon and Dayang Zaitun, both from the Pharmaceutical Services, Ministry of Health, expressed appreciation for having been acknowledged for nearly 20 years of service with the department.

Forty-five-year-old Awang Adanan bin Haji Mohammad, who works for the Fisheries Department under the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, said that the Long Service Medal he received yesterday was his second after he was awarded an Excellent Service Medal a few years ago.

"It was much unexpected," he added.

Excellent Service Medal recipients Abdul Rah i man bin Haji Kamis and Awang Goan ('hang bin Yuba from the Brunei Industry Development Authority (BINA) under the Ministry of Industry and

Primary Resources expressed their gratitude for the government' recognition of their services.

Meanwhile, the three-day ceremony saw a total of 1,948 people being awarded for their contributions to the country.

The event, which began on March 19, was held in conjunction with His Majesty's 62nd birthday celebrations.  -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin