James Ah Koy - Papalii Title and Knighthood

Papalii Title and Knighthood

In July 2005, the Samoan Head of State, Malietoa Tanumafili II, honoured Ah Koy with the Papalii title, in recognition of his contribution to the economy of Pacific Island nations. His Datec Group has subsidiary companies in Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, Australia, and New Zealand. Ah Koy, who was described by the Fiji Times as "speechless and lost for words" when he received the award, spoke of the importance of contributing to the economies of other countries, employing local people, and obeying their laws.

In the Queen's Birthday Honours of 2006, Ah Koy was knighted as a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE), on the nomination of the Papua New Guinea Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare. He thus became Sir James Ah Koy, effective from 19 June 2006, a spokesman for Papua New Guinea's Governor-General, Sir Paulias Matane, announced on the 17th.