Attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali heads a list of 39 recipients who received the 2016 federal awards and honours in conjunction with the official birthday celebration of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah at the Istana Negara in Kuala Lumpur today.

Mohamed Apandi, 66, who has served the judiciary for over 49 years in various positions at federal and state levels, was the sole recipient of the Panglima Mangku Negara (PMN) which carries the 'Tan Sri' title.

Former minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Abdul Wahid Omar, 52, and adviser on Women Entrepreneurship and Professional Development in the Prime Minister's Department, Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, 62, who is also Wanita Umno chief, were among 21 individuals who were conferred the Panglima Setia Mahkota (PSM) which carries the title of 'Tan Sri'.

The late Noriah Kasnon was posthumously conferred the PSM which was received by her third child, Anis Athirah Mohd Ishak.

The Plantation Industries and Commodities deputy minister was killed along with six others in a helicopter crash in Batang Lupar, Sarawak on May 5.

Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Haminah was also present at the investiture.

Meanwhile, eye specialist and renowned speaker, Prof Dr Che Muhaya Mohamad and Kelantan Qari and Qariah Association adviser, Faridah Mat Saman, were among 15 individuals who received the Panglima Jasa Negara (PJN) which carries the title 'Datuk'.

Halimah Hashim, secretary of the management services division in the Prime Minister's Department, was among two individuals who were bestowed the Panglima Setia Diraja (PSD) which carries the title 'Datuk'.

Earlier, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak delivered a congratulatory speech to the Agong on behalf of the government and people of Malaysia.

Meanwhile Doyen of the Diplomatic Corps, Venezuelan ambassador to Malaysia Manuel Antonio Guzman Hernandez, representing the heads of foreign missions in Malaysia, also expressed his best wishes.

- Bernama