KOTA KINABALU: The state government, representing the people of Sabah, have pledged their continuous loyalty to head of state Tun Juhar Mahiruddin (pic).

       Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said this in his speech in conjunction with the Sabah head of state's official birthday on Saturday (Oct 2).

       He said the head of state was the umbrella of unity for all Sabahans, ensuring that the peace and harmony enjoyed by all is preserved.

       "The sense of belonging, togetherness and mutual respect among all in Sabah has to be a value that we keep and uphold," he said.

       For those receiving their titles in this year's honour list in conjunction with this celebration, he hoped they would take this as a motivation to serve the state better.

       A total of 1,265 people were honoured with the various state awards, including 10 people with the Justice of Peace (JP) award.

       Former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's wife, Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman, was among seven prominent figures who received Sabah's highest honour, the Seri Panglima Darjah Kinabalu (SPDK), which carries the title "Datuk Seri Panglima".

       State Community Development and Well-being Minister Shahelmey Yahya, Sabah Umno treasurer Suhaimi Nasir and Deputy Home Minister II Jonathan Yasin were among 65 awarded the state's second highest honour – Panglima Gemilang Darjah Kinabalu (PGDK) – which carries the title "Datuk".

       A total of 95 people were awarded the Ahli Setia Darjah Kinabalu (ASDK), 233 with the Ahli Darjah Kinabalu (ADK), Bintang Setia Kinabalu (BSK), 384 with the Bintang Kinabalu (BK) and 142 people received their Certificate of Honour.

       Earlier in his speech, Hajiji expressed his gratitude to all who had contributed to the downward trend of Sabah's Covid-19 cases making the reopening of more business sectors possible.

       He also hoped 80% of adults in Sabah would be vaccinated within the targeted time frame.

       Sabah's Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin became Sabah's 10th Yang di-Pertua Negeri in 2011, replacing Tun Ahmadshah Abdullah who served two terms as the TYT, and remained so until today.

       In previous reports, he had said that when he was called to be the TYT, the first thing on his mind was whether he could carry the responsibility, despite not actually knowing what a governor's job entails.

       But he knew that he had to be apolitical and do his best as is expected of him.

       Juhar is married to Toh Puan Norlidah RM Jasni and they have four children – Al Hambra, 37; Al Hanna Surya, 34; Al Hanafi, 28; and Al Hamaliyah Hasya, 18.