KLANG: Receiving two state awards in a month is a great ­honour and a big motivation, said Immigration Department director-general Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali.

“I received the Tokoh Khalid Al-Walid award earlier this month at the Selangor Maulidur Rasul celebrations; coupled with today’s award, it is a great recognition accorded by the Sultan of Selangor,” said Mustafar.

He was the sole recipient of the Datuk Setia – Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah (S.S.I.S), which carries the title Datuk Setia, from Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah in conjunction with the Ruler’s 72nd birthday at the Istana Alam Shah here yesterday.

Mustafar said that although he had received the awards as an individual, they were actually awarded in recognition of the hard work and efforts of his department.

“I thank His Royal Highness for today’s award which serves as a great motivation for the Immi­gration Department to strive and forge ahead,” he added.

Top Glove Corporation Bhd’s managing director Datuk Lee Kim Meow said the Darjah Kebesaran Datuk – Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah (D.S.I.S) he received was a great recognition of his company’s contribution to the state’s economy.

He said the company will work hard towards further expansion and strengthening the state’s economy as well as creating more jobs for the people.

“I am very thankful for the award, which is an acknowledgement of this,” said Lee.

Mustafar and Lee were among the 103 people who received ­various awards yesterday.

Heading the list is Kedah Ruler Sultan Sallehuddin ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah who has been be­stow­ed with the Darjah Kerabat Yang Amat Dihormati (DK).

However, Rulers who are bestowed awards do not receive them during public investiture ­ceremonies and given this, Sultan Sallehuddin will probably accept his DK from Sultan Sharafuddin at a private event on a later date.

This year, only two recipients, Army chief Jen Tan Sri Zulkiple Kassim and Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Alwi Ib­­ra­him, received the Seri Paduka Mahkota Selangor (SPMS), which carries the title Datuk Seri.