By Jason Gerald John

MALACCA - Singapore Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zainul Abidin Rasheed, Riau governor Rosli Zainal and Riau Islands governor Ismeth Abdullah led the list of recipients of awards yesterday in conjunction with the Yang Dipertua Negeri's 71st birthday.

The three men were conferred the Darjah Mulia Seri Melaka (DMSM), which carries the title "Datuk", by Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob himself.

Also conferred the DMSM at the ceremony at Seri Negeri in Ayer Keroh were Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Wee Jeck Seng, Berita Harian group editor Mior Kamarulbaid Shahid, Kulai Umno head Zainal Abidin Jidin, businessman Vincent E.E. Ching Hann, army First Brigade commanding officer Brig-Gen Abdullah Karim, AmIslamic Bank Bhd chief executive officer Mahdi Morad, Malacca Hospital director Dr Dul Hadi Mat Junid and state MCA vice-chairman Ho Teck Keun.

Thirty-five were conferred the Darjah Seri Melaka; Justice of Peace (23); Bintang Cemerlang Melaka (65); Bintang Khidmat Terpuji (86); Pingat Jasa Kebaktian (193); Pingat Bakti Masyarakat (101); and, Pingat Khidmat Lama (32).

Malacca Berita Harian bureau chief Amirullah Andi Nur was among the recipients of the Bintang Khidmat Terpuji award.