The DAP Central Executive Committee (CEC) has strongly reprimanded two of its Sabah leaders for accepting “datuk” titles while still serving as elected representatives, party secretary-general Anthony Loke said. 

He said that the action of the two leaders – Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Chan Fong Hin and Sabah DAP secretary and Luyang assemblyman Phoong Jin Zhe – were in violation of party policy, which prohibits its members from accepting any titles and awards while in office.

“The DAP CEC reiterated our position that all elected representatives should focus on serving the people and should only be considered for any awards after retiring from elected office,” Loke said in a statement today.

Earlier this month, Chan and Phoong were conferred the Panglima Gemilang Darjah Kinabalu award in conjunction with Yang di-Pertua Negeri Juhar Mahiruddin’s 70th birthday celebration. 

Loke said that DAP expressed its gratitude to the Sabah ruler for all awards conferred and said the party will continue to honour the royal institution through service to the country and people. 

In 2018, DAP formalised its norm for party leaders to decline titles while in active politics. 

The latest DAP leader who was given an award was party stalwart Lim Kit Siang, who was conferred Darjah Kebesaran Panglima Setia Mahkota, which carries the title of “Tan Sri” in conjunction with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah’s 64th birthday celebrations at the Istana Negara. 

His acceptance of the award was made after he had fully retired as a politician. – October 26, 2023.