Latest news with #DarjahGemilangPangkuanNegeri
The Star
8 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Slowly but surely, Ken can do it
PETALING JAYA: Badminton legend Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei has called for patience and support for national singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen as he works to develop world-class singles players. Jonassen, who took up the role about eight months ago, came in with a strong reputation, having previously coached Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen and world No. 3 Anders Antonsen. Upon his appointment, he was entrusted with a major task, to groom a player capable of delivering Malaysia's first Olympic gold at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. However, he is already facing pressure as the current batch of men's and women's singles players in the national set-up have yet to deliver convincing results. Leong Jun Hao, for instance, has climbed slightly to No. 24 in the world rankings this week and has managed to upset a few top players, but his performances remain inconsistent and he has yet to achieve a breakthrough this year. The situation is similar in the women's singles camp, which is currently led by national No. 1 K. Letshanaa. Chong Wei, however, has stepped up in defence of the Danish coach, saying Jonassen has a clear vision and good ideas for improving the singles department but the process will take time. Ideally, Chong Wei believes Jonassen should be given a full Olympic cycle to implement his training programme and show whether it can produce the desired results. 'I've met him and we discussed how we can help our top singles players. He has some very good ideas. 'But we need to give him time — not a month, not even a year. He should be given at least one full cycle. 'That means four years. Only then can he implement his plans and hopefully deliver the results we want. He's only been here for less than six months. 'It's like raising a child — even learning to walk takes a year. Producing a world champion takes far longer,' said Chong Wei. Chong Wei shared his thoughts when met by reporters after being conferred the Darjah Gemilang Pangkuan Negeri (DGPN), which carries the title Datuk Seri, during the 2025 Penang State Awards ceremony held in conjunction with the 84th birthday celebration of Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Ramli Ngah Talib yesterday. Also honoured was Badminton Association of Malaysia president Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, who received the Darjah Panglima Pangkuan Negeri (DPPN), which also carries the title Datuk Seri. Sports Commissioner Suhardi Alias was among the recipients of the Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri (DSPN), which comes with the title Datuk.
The Star
8 hours ago
- General
- The Star
State salutes its street sweepers
No job too dirty: Omar Shariff (right) and Nirmal (third from right) with other council workers who received their medals at Dewan Sri Pinang in George Town, Penang. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star Council workers honoured for keeping Penang clean, come rain or shine GEORGE TOWN: Braving downpours or the blazing heat is all in a day's work for Penang Island City Council (MBPP) labourer K. Nirmal. On top of that, he has to deal with roadside hazards such as vehicles speeding by closely as he sweeps the roadsides. He recalls incidents when passing cars even hit his shoulders and hands. 'It's frightening but that's part of the job. Lucky for me, I have suffered only aches and pains, nothing too serious,' he said. Nirmal, 41, started out as a truck driver fresh from school. His parents coaxed him into joining the local council because of job stability. 'They wanted something secure for me, so I joined and have never looked back,' said Nirmal, who has clocked 21 years with the council. Besides sweeping roadsides, he also cleans the local market by picking up rubbish, clearing drains and cleaning fans and ceilings. 'The young shy away from this kind of dirty work. But I make an honest living. It matters to me that things are kept clean,' he said. Despite the physical demands and daily risks, he has no plans to change course. 'I plan to stick with it till retirement,' he said after being recognised with a Pingat Jasa Masyarakat (PJM) award in conjunction with the 84th birthday celebration of Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Ramli Ngah Talib here yesterday. Nirmal was among nine workers from MBPP and Seberang Perai City Council honoured for their service in the 3D (difficult, dangerous and dirty) sector. While Nirmal and seven others received the PJM, MBPP cleaner Omar Shariff Abdul Salam, 55, got the Pingat Jasa Kebaktian award. Omar Shariff said it was a special moment in his 26 years of cleaning drains and sweeping the streets. With five years to go before retirement, Omar Shariff has pledged to give it his best. 'With this job, I have been able to educate both my children who are completing their studies,' he added. Meanwhile, badminton legend Datuk Lee Chong Wei, who was conferred the Darjah Gemilang Pangkuan Negeri, which carries the title Datuk Seri, said he was grateful and motivated to give his best to the sport. 'I thank the state government for awarding me again with a title. I am grateful to Penang for encouraging me over the years,' the Penangite said after the ceremony held at Dewan Sri Pinang. The three-time Olympic silver medallist retired in 2019 after a career spanning 19 years. While acknowledging that the current performance of the national men's singles shuttlers was concerning, Lee said the squad would bounce back with the right guidance and support.
The Sun
20 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Badminton legend Lee Chong Wei receives Datuk Seri honour
FORMER world number one and national badminton legend Lee Chong Wei was awarded the Darjah Gemilang Pangkuan Negeri (DGPN) on Wednesday, earning him the title of Datuk Seri. The three-day ceremony was held as part of celebrations marking the 84th birthday of Penang's Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Tun Ramli Ngah Talib, according to Stadium Astro. Lee Chong Wei dominated world badminton for 349 weeks at the top ranking, including an unbroken 199-week streak from 2008 to 2012. The Penang native won three Olympic silver medals — at the Beijing 2008, London 2012, and Rio 2016 Games — making him the only Malaysian athlete to reach the Olympic podium three times in a row and the country's most decorated Olympian. Badminton Association of Malaysia president Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz received the Darjah Panglima Pangkuan Negeri (DPPN), also carrying the Datuk Seri title. Sports Commissioner Suhardi Alias was among those receiving the Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri (DSPN), which grants the Datuk title.
The Sun
20 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Badminton legend Lee Chong Wei receives Datuk Seri honour during Penang governor's birthday celebration
FORMER world number one and national badminton legend Lee Chong Wei was awarded the Darjah Gemilang Pangkuan Negeri (DGPN) on Wednesday, earning him the title of Datuk Seri. The three-day ceremony was held as part of celebrations marking the 84th birthday of Penang's Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Tun Ramli Ngah Talib, according to Stadium Astro. Lee Chong Wei dominated world badminton for 349 weeks at the top ranking, including an unbroken 199-week streak from 2008 to 2012. The Penang native won three Olympic silver medals — at the Beijing 2008, London 2012, and Rio 2016 Games — making him the only Malaysian athlete to reach the Olympic podium three times in a row and the country's most decorated Olympian. Badminton Association of Malaysia president Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz received the Darjah Panglima Pangkuan Negeri (DPPN), also carrying the Datuk Seri title. Sports Commissioner Suhardi Alias was among those receiving the Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri (DSPN), which grants the Datuk title.
The Star
21 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Chong Wei pleads for patience with Jonassen as he needs time to meet goals
Singles head coach Kenneth Jonassen will not make a hasty decision on the appointment of a new women's singles coach after Jeffer Rosobin's resignation. PETALING JAYA: Badminton legend Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei has called for patience and support for national singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen as he works to develop world-class singles players. Jonassen, who took up the role about eight months ago, came in with a strong reputation, having previously coached Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen and world No. 3 Anders Antonsen. Upon his appointment, he was entrusted with a major task, to groom a player capable of delivering Malaysia's first Olympic gold at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. However, he is already facing pressure as the current batch of men's and women's singles players in the national set-up have yet to deliver convincing results. Leong Jun Hao, for instance, has climbed slightly to No. 24 in the world rankings this week and has managed to upset a few top players, but his performances remain inconsistent and he has yet to achieve a breakthrough this year. The situation is similar in the women's singles camp, which is currently led by national No. 1 K. Letshanaa. Chong Wei, however, has stepped up in defence of the Danish coach, saying Jonassen has a clear vision and good ideas for improving the singles department but the process will take time. Ideally, Chong Wei believes Jonassen should be given a full Olympic cycle to implement his training programme and show whether it can produce the desired results. 'I've met him and we discussed how we can help our top singles players. He has some very good ideas. 'But we need to give him time — not a month, not even a year. He should be given at least one full cycle. 'That means four years. Only then can he implement his plans and hopefully deliver the results we want. He's only been here for less than six months. 'It's like raising a child — even learning to walk takes a year. Producing a world champion takes far longer," said Chong Wei. Chong Wei shared his thoughts when met by reporters after being conferred the Darjah Gemilang Pangkuan Negeri (DGPN), which carries the title Datuk Seri, during the 2025 Penang State Awards ceremony held in conjunction with the 84th birthday celebration of Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Ramli Ngah Talib yesterday. Also honoured was Badminton Association of Malaysia president Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, who received the Darjah Panglima Pangkuan Negeri (DPPN), which also carries the title Datuk Seri. Sports Commissioner Suhardi Alias was among the recipients of the Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri (DSPN), which comes with the title Datuk.
