The Dato’ Seri Panglima Taming Sari (SPTS) award to Ayob Khan and Mohammad carries the title of “Datuk Seri Panglima” while Lee, the former Gopeng MP, received the Dato’ Paduka Mahkota Perak (DPMP) which makes him a “Datuk”, Bernama reported.

Other prominent recipients of awards on the occasion of the Perak ruler’s birthday are three athletes who did the nation and state proud by winning medals at the recent Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

Shereen Samson Vallabouy, who won two bronze medals in athletics, Azeem Fahmi (bronze, athletics) and Shafiq Puteh (bronze, diving), are among 33 recipients of the Pingat Jasa Kebaktian (PJK).

State mufti Wan Zahidi Wan Teh leads the list of award and medal recipients. He is to receive the state’s highest award, the Dato’ Seri Paduka Mahkota Perak (SPMP) which carries the title “Datuk Seri”.

In addition to Wan Zahidi, public services department director-general Zulkapli Mohamed will also be conferred the SPMP award.

Aside from Lee, there are 12 recipients of the DPMP, including Temengor assemblyman and state exco Salbiah Mohamed.

Other key recipients are Perak state finance officer Zaki Mahyuddin, who will receive the Darjah Dato’ Paduka Cura Si Manja Kini (DPCM), which also carries the title “Datuk”.

Orang Kaya Bendahara Seri Maharaja Zahidi Zainuddin announced that the awards ceremony will be held in two sessions, with the first session on Sunday (Nov 5) and the second session on Nov 18.

He said both ceremonial sessions will be held at the Balairong Seri, Istana Iskandariah, in Kuala Kangsar.

The people of the state of Perak are also called to celebrate together and enliven the occasion by flying the state flag in their office buildings, businesses and residences.