The honour will be given in conjunction with Penang governor Fuzi Abdul Razak’s 73rd birthday. The DPPN is the second highest state honour and is limited to only 35 living persons at any one time.

Yusuf was previously awarded a Datukship by the Penang governor in 2002, and another award which also carries the “Datuk Seri” title in 2014. His company is one of the largest importers of dates in the country.

The two other Penangites receiving the DPPN are Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association president Wong Siew Hai and Hassan Kamil, the former CEO of Takaful Malaysia.

Comptroller of the Royal Household of Istana Negara Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin will receive the Darjah Gemilang Pangkuan Negeri (DGPN), which carries a “Datuk Seri” title.

Former Malaysian ambassador to the United States Awang Adek Hussin, former Seberang Perai mayor Rozali Mohamud and renowned forensic pathologist Bhupinder Jeswant Singh will also receive the DGPN.

Altogether, 135 people will receive their Datukships and 24 will receive their “Datuk Seri” titles from the governor.

In announcing the awards list, state Speaker Law Choo Kiang said state honours would be awarded to a total of 1,380 people over the next four days.