LIM Guan Eng will lodge a police report against PAS Perak commissioner, Razman Zakaria, for claiming that the finance minister had disrespected the Malay rulers.

Lim said Razman had twisted his remarks aimed at DAP members about datukship titles and state awards to create the impression that he (Lim) was anti-Malay and against the rulers.

The DAP secretary-general said his statement was aimed at DAP members and leaders to remind them to focus on public service and not to chase titles.

It was never intended to insult the Malay rulers, he added.

“I was advising DAP members not to chase titles like datukships.

“I was only saying it for our party leaders as a reminder not to be greedy for titles or recognition in the short six months that we have been in power,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

On Saturday, at a unity gathering in Pasir Salak for PAS and Umno, Razman accused Lim of being “rude” for telling DAP politicians to turn down honorific titles from state rulers, and this showed that he was against the sovereignty of the Malay rulers.

Lim cited the example of the late deputy prime minister Ghafar Baba, who did not accept a datukship award and only wanted to be known as “Encik”.

“Can you say he was anti-Malay or anti-royalty? Don’t use this to stir up hatred between the races.”

Lim added that he would consider legal action against Razman.

DAP last month revived an old party policy of rejecting titles and awards for its elected representatives while they were still actively serving in politics.

Any offer of such awards must first be brought to the central leadership for vetting before the politician can accept it. – November 19, 2018.