GEORGE TOWN: Late Bukit Gelugor MP and DAP stalwart Karpal Singh will be posthumously awarded Penang’s highest honour, the Darjah Utama Pangkuan Negeri (DUPN) which carries the title “Dato’ Seri Utama” next month.
Karpal died in an accident on the North-South Expressway near Gua Tempurung, Perak, on April 17, 2014.
He served as the Jelutong MP for 20 years, before losing in the 1999 general election. He then returned to Parliament in 2004 as the Bukit Gelugor MP, a position he held until his untimely death.
The award is being conferred in conjunction with Governor Abdul Rahman Abbas’ 82nd birthday, which has been postponed to January due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Another recipient of the award that carries the “Dato’ Seri” title is Public Services Commission chairman Zainal Rahim Seman.
In a statement, state speaker Law Choo Kiang said a total of 829 people will receive state honours, of which, 21 will receive the “Dato’ Seri” title and 91, the “Dato’” title.
Among notable personalities receiving the Dato’ Seri title are Army chief Zamrose Mohd Zain and deputy inspector-general of police, Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani. Others receiving the Dato’ Seri title include Navy chief Mohd Reza Mohd Sany, Air Force chief Ackbal Abdul Samad and Poland honorary consul-general Suppiah Manikam.
Customs deputy director-general Johari Alifiah, Think City chairman Anwar Fazal, and academic Wazir Jahan Begum Abdul Karim will also receive their “Dato’ Seri” titles from the state.
Notable figures in the list of “Dato’s” are High Court justice George Varughese and Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) general crimes chief Yusaini Amer Abdul Karim.
Penang chief syarie judge Muhamad Abdul Karim Wahab along with Perak and Kelantan police chiefs Mior Faridalathrash Wahid and Shafien Mamat will be given a Dato’ title.
Penang PKR assemblyman Mustafa Kamal Ahmad and former DAP Berapit assemblyman Lydia Ong Kok Fooi are to be made Dato’.
The awards will be conferred from Jan 16 to 21 at Dewan Sri Pinang, George Town.