GEORGE TOWN: Penang Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas attended the first day of the state awards ceremony today.
The event at Dewan Sri Pinang is held in conjunction with his 79th birthday.
The head of state arrived at the venue at 9am, accompanied by his consort Toh Puan Majimor Shariff.
Upon arrival, Abdul Rahman was greeted by state officials, including Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and other dignitaries.
A 17-gun salute was fired to commemorate his birthday.
Abdul Rahman then saluted the guard-of-honour, lined up inside the venue.
He will confer state awards to the first batch of recipients later today.
Chief Justice Tan Sri Raus Sharif headed the honour's list alongside 1,481 other recipients.
The four-day investiture ceremony is scheduled to continue next Tuesday and end on Thursday.