Menteri Besar Azlan Man headed the list of 243 recipients of awards, medals and honours in conjunction with the 71st birthday of the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail.

Azlan who was appointed Perlis menteri besar following the 13th general election in May last year has been awarded the 'Darjah Seri Paduka Mahkota Perlis' (SPMP), which carries the title, 'Datuk Seri'.

Three others, International Trade and Industry minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamad, Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar and Country Heights and The Mines developer Tan Sri Lee Kim Tiong @ Yew also received the SPMP.

However Mustapa was not present at the ceremony held at Istana Arau, in Arau, Saturday as he is abroad on official duty.

Meanwhile, two people were awarded the 'Datuk Paduka Mahkota Perlis' (DPMP), two others, the 'Datuk Setia Paduka Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail' (DSPJ), while another three, the 'Datuk Panglima Sirajuddin Jamalullail' (DPSJ). All three awards carry the title, Datuk'.

Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism; Transport and Regional Development Exco chairman Sabry Ahmad and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Penang (Research and Innovation) deputy vice chancellor Prof Dr Muhamad bin Jantan received the DPMP.

Pesaka Group chief executive officer Shabaruddin Ibrahim and Emkay Group executive director Fazwinna Mustapha Kamal received the DSPJ.

Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd senior vice president Datuk Abdul Halim Hamid; USM Kubang Kerian, Kelantan Women's Health Development, Medical Science Studies acting unit coordinator Prof Datin Dr Rashidah Shuib; and retired teacher Syed Kamarulzaman Syed Bahaldin received the DPSJ.

Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin conferred awards to 30 recipients, Saturday, while 213 others will receive theirs in another ceremony.

Six people were awarded the Setia Mahkota Perlis (SMP), 13, the Seri Sirajuddin Perlis (SSP) and 35, the Ahli Mahkota Perlis (AMP).

Twenty-one people received the Pingat Mahkota Perlis (PMP); one, the Pingat Keberanian Handal (PKH); 64, the Pingat Jasa Kebaktian (PJK); 84, the Pingat Jasa Baik (PJB); and eight, the Pingat Perkhidmatan Lama (PPL).

Perlis state legislative assembly Speaker, Hamdan Bahari and two state excos, Datuk Mat Rawi Kassim and Mat bin Hassan as well as the menteri besar's political secretary Senator Mohd Khalid Ahmad were among the recipients of the SMP.

Three journalists, Malaysian National News Agency (BERNAMA) assistant editor (Feature) Adnan Jahaya received the SSP; Utusan Malaysia assistant editor Rosmanizam Abdullah received the AMP; and Utusan Malaysia executive journalist Ariffin Yassin received the PMP.

Former 70's national football player Syed Ahmad Abu Bakar, 67, received the PMP while former Perlis state football player (defence) Manja Man received the PJK.