Guan Eng chides partymen for accepting Datuk titles

Updated 7 years ago · Published on 14 Oct 2018 2:54PM · 5 Comments

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng says leaders must focus on serving the people and saving the economy. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, October 14, 2018.

LIM Guan Eng today chided several of his partymen for accepting awards from state rulers carrying the honorific Datuk title.

The DAP secretary-general said accepting such accolades would give people the wrong impression as the party and its pact members had captured Putrajaya only five months ago.

He said the party’s central executive committee would meet soon to discuss the situation as explanations given by such award recipients were “unacceptable”.

“Yes, we respect and thank those who wanted to confer the awards but in Malacca, the late Ghafar Baba was okay with being called ‘Mr’ Ghafar Baba.

“If Ghafar Baba himself didn’t want to accept (the award), why should our leaders accept them?” he reportedly told the media.

Lim said veterans, such as his father, Lim Kit Siang, and the late Karpal Singh, had refused such honours as they merely wanted to serve the people.

While Lim did not specify the individuals, over the past few days, social media had been abuzz with news that PH leaders were being conferred titles in conjunction with the birthday of state rulers.

In Malacca, DAP Bandar Hilir assemblyman Tey Kok Kiew and Bemban assemblyman Wong Fort Pin accepted the Darjah Mulia Seri Melaka, which carries the title Datuk, which was conferred on them yesterday by governor Mohd Khalil Yaakob.

Last week, two Sabah DAP leaders – Stephen Wong and Frankie Poon – were conferred the Panglima Gemilang Darjah Kinabalu, which also carries the Datuk title.

“It’s not too late to receive such awards later (in life) because we must focus on what’s important – serving the people and saving the economy.

“I don’t want my words to be seen as disrespectful towards any state government but why should we receive awards during our first year (in office)? We must perform well first,” the Finance Minister reportedly said. – October 14, 2018.

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Comments

  • Receiving a royal award is akin to allowing yourself to be shackeled. You become the dog on the leash. To the general public, you are a fierce and ferociously trained dog who bully...but to the owner you are perpetually indebted and ready to do all tricks to satisfy them. Both are bad for community and self. The goverment should pass a law to curtail non academic and non state heroic honorary awards.

    Posted 7 years ago by Ebrahim Mohideen · Reply

  • Very well said!!!! Its high time that PH government should work with rulers to do away the honorific title for politicians. In fact it is the title has been abused to exploit for self serving causes and show of authority. Lets do away with that and only titles directly from the government shall carry weight on politician contributions to society and public.

    Posted 7 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • Datuk Jacky Chan and Tan Sri Michelle Yeah..What are they recognized for?

    Posted 7 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • Please return them and save it for next time

    Posted 7 years ago by SY L · Reply

  • Dont go overboard lah. Why chide those who receive the awards? If you are not in favour so be it. But please dont impose your values on others even if they are your party men.

    Posted 7 years ago by Simple Sulaiman · Reply