17 April 1998
Chief Minister Shane Stone in Kota Kina Balu Sabah Malaysia following the investiture of Panglima Gemilang Dahjar Kinabalu - Commander of the Order of Kinabalu Sabah Malaysia. The Panglima Gemilang Darjah Kinabalu (PGDK) is the second class of the Order. The award includes the title of Datuk for the recipient and Datin for the bearer's wife. There has been a long history of personal connections dating from the first NT Chief Minister Paul Everingham and Sabah Chief Ministers Datuk Harris bin Mohd Salleh and Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan. Shane Stone also had a second-generation connection through his late father Les Stone with the family of Tun Fuad Stephens, the paramount leader of the Kadazandusun people (two main indigenous groupings in Sabah), former Malaysian High Commissioner to Australia, and first and fifth Chief Minister of Sabah who played a pivotal role in bringing Sabah into the Federation of Malaysia at independence. Two of Stephen's children, Asgari and Fauziah resided at International House, the University of Melbourne where Shane was Director of Studies. Shane Stone's connection with Sabah's 10th Chief Minister YB Datuk Yong Teck Lee is well documented in the Archives. See also further detail on medal, list of honours Awards for Sabah and the Patent (certificate).