| Order of the Defender of State Malay: Darjah Pangkuan Negeri | |
| Awarded By: | Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Penang |
| Type: | Chivalric order |
| Status: | Currently constituted |
| Founder: | Tun Dato' Seri Utama Raja Uda Raja Muhammad |
| Head Title: | Grand Master |
| Head: | Tun Dato' Seri Utama Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak |
| Founded: | 1967 |
| Higher: | None (highest) |
| Lower: | Distinguished Service Star |
The Order of the Defender of State (Malay: Darjah Pangkuan Negeri) is the sole order of chivalry of the state of Penang[1] which was constituted in 1967 by then Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Dato' Seri Utama Raja Uda Raja Muhammad to recognize eminent contributions of individuals towards Penang and the nation. The order was initially constituted in three grades of Knight Grand Commander, Companion, and Member. Later, other grades were added to the order. Currently, the order is conferred in six grades.
Annually, inductions are made to the order on the occasion of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri's birthday.
The Order of the Defender of State was initially constituted in three grades, namely Knight Grand Commander, Companion, and Member respectively. In 1976, the Officer grade was added, followed by, the Commander grade in 1996 and finally the Knight Commander in 2003.
Darjah Utama Pangkuan Negeri (DUPN) Dato' Seri Utama
The Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Defender of State (Malay: Darjah Utama Pangkuan Negeri) is the highest grade of the order which was constituted in 1967. The recipients of the grade bear the title of "Dato' Seri Utama", while the wives of the male recipients are titled as "Datin Seri". Husbands of female recipients are not entitled to any title. The recipients bear the post-nominal letters of "D.U.P.N."
The insignia of the grade comprises a collar, a sash, a badge and a star. The sash is a blue silk riband with wide white bars on both ends above which are two gold stripes. The sash is worn from the right shoulder to the left hip.
The Grand Commander grade of the order is conferred on the Yang di-Pertua Negeri, the spouse of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri and upon eminent individuals for their services to Penang.
Darjah Panglima Pangkuan Negeri (DPPN) Dato' Seri
The Knight Commander of the Order of the Defender of State (Malay: Darjah Panglima Pangkuan Negeri) is the second highest grade of the order which was added in 2003. The recipients of the grade bear the title of "Dato' Seri", while the wives of the male recipients are titled as "Datin Seri". Husbands of female recipients are not entitled to any title. The recipients bear the post-nominal letters of "D.P.P.N."
The insignia of the grade comprises a collar, a sash, a badge and a star. The sash is a blue silk riband with wide gold bars on both ends and a wide white band in the center. The sash is worn from the right shoulder to the left hip.
Darjah Gemilang Pangkuan Negeri (DGPN) Dato' Seri
The Commander of the Order of the Defender of State (Malay: Darjah Gemilang Pangkuan Negeri) is the third highest grade of the order which was added in 1996. The recipients of the grade bear the title of "Dato' Seri", while the wives of the male recipients are titled as "Datin Seri". Husbands of female recipients are not entitled to any title. The recipients bear the post-nominal letters of "D.G.P.N."
The insignia of the grade comprises a collar, a sash, a badge and a star. The sash is a blue silk riband with wide white bars on both ends and a wide gold band in the center. The sash is worn from the right shoulder to the left hip.
Darjah Yang Mulia Pangkuan Negeri (DMPN) Dato'
The Companion of the Order of the Defender of State (Malay: Darjah Yang Mulia Pangkuan Negeri) is the fourth grade of the order which was created in 1967. The recipients of the grade bear the title of "Dato'", while the wives of the male recipients are titled as "Datin". Husbands of female recipients are not entitled to any title. The recipients bear the post-nominal letters of "D.M.P.N."
The insignia of the grade comprises a sash, a badge and a star. The sash is a blue silk riband with wide white bars on both ends and a wide gold band in the center. The sash is worn from the right shoulder to the left hip.
Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri (DSPN) Dato'
The Officer of the Order of the Defender of State (Malay: Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri) is the fifth grade of the order which was added in 1976. The recipients of the grade bear the title of "Dato'", while the wives of the male recipients are titled as "Datin". Husbands of female recipients are not entitled to any title. The recipients bear the post-nominal letters of "D.S.P.N."
The insignia of the grade comprises a sash, a badge and a star. The sash is a blue silk riband with wide gold bars on both ends above which are two white stripes. The sash is worn from the right shoulder to the left hip.
Darjah Johan Negeri (DJN)
The Member of the Order of the Defender of State (Malay: Darjah Johan Negeri) is the lowest grade of the order which was created in 1967. The recipients of the grade do not bear any title.
The insignia of the grade comprises a necklet. The star of the order in silver hanged to a riband which is made of blue silk with wide gold bars on both ends above which are two white stripes, similar to the sash of the Officer grade. The necklet is worn by the recipients around the neck.
The incumbent Yang di-Pertua Negeri is the Grand Master of the order and receives the highest class of the order, the Knight Grand Commander class or Darjah Utama Pangkuan Negeri (D.U.P.N.) and is titled as Dato' Seri Utama. All inductions, revocations and amendments are done at the pleasure of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri on the advice of the Chief Minister and the government. On several occasions, the spouse of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri also receives the same grade of the order as the Yang di-Pertua Negeri. The current Grand Master is Tun Dato' Seri Utama Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak since 1 May 2021.