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, awarded State Honorary Medals to 463 individuals during a ceremony commemorating his 78th birthday. The event was held in the morning on 28th April at Balai Singgahsana Indera Kenchana, Istana Nurul Iman.
According to Radio Television Brunei, His Majesty's son, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, presided over the medal conferment as the personal representative of His Majesty. His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Malik was also in attendance at the ceremony.
The event commenced with the awarding of the Pingat Jasa Kebaktian, or Meritorious Service Medal, to 13 recipients from His Majesty's Office and the Ministry of Defence. Subsequently, 449 individuals were presented with the Pingat Indah Kerja Baik, or Excellent Service Medal. These recipients included officers and staff from various ministries, such as the Prime Minister's Office, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Finance and Economy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism, and Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications.
Additionally, the Pingat Pahlawan Periwara was awarded to a Ministry of Defence officer. The event concluded with the reading of Doa Selamat by Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Haji Awang Salim bin Haji Besar.