SHAH RUKH KHAN TO RECEIVE DATUKSHIP

MELAKA (Malaysia), Oct 11 (Bernama) -- Bollywood leading actor Shah Rukh Khan will receive a datukship from the Ruler of Melaka, in conjunction with his 70th birthday Saturday.

Melaka Chief Minister's political secretary Saadon Basirun said the actor
would be awarded the Darjah Mulia Seri Melaka (DMSM).

He said the investiture ceremony will involve 758 recipients of titles,
appointments, stars and medals from Melaka and would be held at the Seri Negeri
Hall, Ayer Keroh here Saturday and on Sunday.

"Shah Rukh will receive his title in another ceremony at a later
date," Saadon told reporters here Friday.

The actor is among 77 recipients awarded the DMSM.
Saadon said Shah Rukh was awarded the title for his contribution to the
entertainment industry at international level.

"Shah Rukh Khan has also contributed to our tourism industry when he
acted in a movie filmed in Malaysia," he said.

He said local artists awarded the Darjah Seri Melaka (DSM) without a
title were traditional Malay song singer Goh Eng Boon, popularly known as Andre
Goh, comedian Jantan Osman also known as Ali Mamak and 60's singer Mariam
Ahmad.

Meanwhile, Melaka Chief Minister's press secretary Daud Awang and Nanyang
Siang Pau manager were also awarded the DSM.

Melaka Hari Ini (MHI) part-time journalist Jaafar Neemat will receive the
Jaksa Pendamai (JP) while Melaka Mass Media Club Yang Dipertua Sha'rin Sahad,
The Star chief reporter R. Letchumanan and TV9 newsroom manager Mohd Lokman
Hamidi will be awarded the Bintang Cemerlang Melaka (BCM).

MHI editor Md Yusof Mohamed will receive the Bintang Khidmat Terpuji (BKT)
while The Star photographer A Malek Yahya, TV9 journalist Mohamed Raffi Bachik
and China Press journalist Monica Tay Sookeen will be awarded the Pingat Jaksa
Pendamai (PJK).