Popular singer Datuk Siti Nurhaliza Taruddin described the Darjah Sri Sultan Ahmad Shah Pahang (SSAP) that carries the title "Datuk Seri" she received today was her baby's rezeki (sustenance).

Siti Nurhaliza, who is four months pregnant with her first child, added that the award was also a reward for her 22 years of efforts and contribution in the music industry, after winning the singing competition Bintang HMI produced by the Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) in 1995.

"This award is one of the achievements that has its own history in the course of my career. I believe everyone contributes something to the society, and in my case, it is in the music industry.

"This the 'rezeki' for myself and my baby as we know that sustenance from God can come in a variety of forms," she told reporters when met after the investiture ceremony in conjunction with the Sultan of Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah's birthday celebration at Istana Abu Bakar here today.

Siti Nurhaliza is one of the five celebrities who received the state awards from the Regent of Pahang Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.

Meanwhile, actor Eizlan Yusof, who also received Darjah Sri Sultan Ahmad Shah Pahang (SSAP) that carries the title "Datuk Seri" described the award as motivationr for him to achieve more success after 32 years in the movie industry as well as in corporate world.

Asked if he felt aggrieved by the criticism of a handful of individuals, including fellow artistes who ridiculed the title, Eizlan or his real name Idris Md Yusof, who is also executive chairman of Blackstone Dagangan Sdn Bhd, said he chose to ignore the critics, as it was impossible to please everyone.

For fashion designer Jovian Mandagie, who received the Darjah Sultan Ahmad Shah Pahang (DSAP) that carries the title "Datuk", he would continue to champion the uniqueness of Royal Pahang Tenun in his designs to take it to the international level.

Jovian, who is also chief executive director of Jovian Mandagie Sdn Bhd, said he had worked with Tengku Puan of Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah in a fashion show in Kuala Lumpur five years ago and was using the Royal Pahang Tenun, produced in Penor Prison and fell in love with the material for its uniqueness.

"I am really grateful to be chosen for this recognition (award) at a young age (31)... and after 10 years in fashion industry, I think this is a reward for all of us who are involved in this creative industry," he said.

Similar to Siti Nurhaliza, Jovian Mandagie, from Indonesia, also attributed the award as rezeki of his eldest son.

Another recipient, Singapore-born actor Adi Putra or his real name Mohamed Hadi Putera Halim who received the Darjah Indera Mahkota Pahang (DIMP) that carries the title "Datuk" said the award spurs him to continue to achieve more successes in movie as well as in business.

Adi Putra, who is also the patron of the Johor 1Care Society, acknowledged that he had faced many challenges in the recent times, but that was part of life's journey and would not use that as a barrier to succeed. -- Bernama