DAP national organising secretary Anthony Loke said in a statement today that elected representatives and local councillors should only receive titles and awards after retiring from active service.
He said the Melaka and Sabah DAP had been “informed and categorically told of this decade-old CEC understanding in July” and that the CEC had expressed its displeasure over not being consulted on the offer of titles and awards.
Recently, two DAP Melaka state assemblymen, Tey Kok Kiew and Wong Fort Pin, received the Darjah Mulia Seri Melaka (DMSM) award which carries the title “Datuk” while two Sabah DAP ministers – Stephen Wong and Frankie Poon – and Assistant Minister to the Sabah Chief Minister Jimmy Wong were awarded the Panglima Gemilang Darjah Kinabalu (PGDK), which also carries the title “Datuk”.
Loke said: “The CEC reprimands any DAP leader who denied and claimed ignorance of this decade-old understanding. Leaders who try to justify receiving awards without informing or awaiting directives from the party leadership have no respect for the party.
“Consequent to this CEC resolution, a written advisory will be issued to all elected representatives and local councillors to reiterate DAP’s position of not receiving titles and awards during active political service. Any offers of titles and awards should be referred to DAP central leadership.”
Loke said DAP leaders were in politics to serve the people and not seek fame, titles or positions.
“DAP recognises the importance of titles and awards as a way to appreciate the contributions of towering figures in society and, therefore, advises its elected representatives and local councillors to receive these honours after they retire from active service, presumably after they have contributed to the society at large.”