Kota Kinabalu: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has been conferred the Asean Federation of Engineering Organisations (Afeo) Distinguished Honorary Fellow Award for his visionary policies and understanding of the engineering community’s role.
The award was presented by IEM President/Afeo Chairman Ir. Prof Dr Jeffrey Chiang Choong Luin at Menara Kinabalu, Monday.
Reading the award citation, Afeo Secretary-General Ir. Prof Dr David Chuah Joon Huang said:
“It is to be awarded to those persons such as Deputy/Vice Presidents of a country, Deputy Prime Minister, Heads of Ministry and very prominent persons in high positions and rank and world-renowned figures who have rendered very substantial and outstanding services to the engineering profession, the Institution and the Asean nation.
“His (Hajiji) impactful contributions to community development, economic progress and effective governance highlight a leader deeply committed to Sabah’s welfare.
His adept governance, visionary policies and understanding of the engineering community’s role make him a fitting candidate for recognition in the Asean region.”
Accompanied by AER (Asean Engineering Register) Head Commissioner Ir. Simon Yeong Chin Chow and the IEM Sabah committee led by its Chairman Ir. Ts Mohd Yaakob Jaafar, Chiang briefed the Chief Minister on the 42nd Conference of the Afeo (Cafeo) to be hosted by the Institute of Engineering Malaysia (IEM) Sabah at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), here, from Oct 22 to 24.
Themed “Charting Asean Growth with Digital Transformation, Smart Engineering and Green Solutions”, the 42nd Cafeo is expected to attract 1,200 to 1,500 participants.
The Afeo Distinguished Honorary Fellow Award is normally given in conjunction with the opening ceremony of the Cefeo.
Meanwhile, Sabah Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin received the Distinguished Honorary Patron Award from Afeo.
The award was presented by Dr Chiang, accompanied by IEM Sabah Chairman Ir. Ts Mohd Yaakob Jaafar and former IEM Sabah Chairman Datuk Ir. Willy Chin Tet Fu.
Also in attendance at the brief ceremony at Istana Seri Kinabalu on Monday was Juhar’s wife, Toh Puan Norlidah RM Jasni.
Speaking to the media later, Dr Chiang said the award recognises Sabah’s achievements in social, economic and engineering development under Juhar’s leadership, and hopes that the honour will attract various initiatives, particularly in the field of engineering, to the State.
Juhar is the third Malaysian recipient of this award, following the seventh Penang Head of State Tun Dr Abdul Rahman Abbas in 2015 and former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in 2018.
