Instead, he said the awards will be handed to educators, volunteers involved in humanitarian work and those who had helped put Malaysia on the map.

Khalid said political leaders still had plenty of time to prove themselves in serving the community before they are selected to be honoured.

“Let’s see their service and performance first.

“If there is to be any recommendation, we leave it to those who are making the offer,” he told reporters after opening the annual general meeting of the World Energy Cities Partnership (WECP) here.

Also present were Kuala Lumpur mayor Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahlan and WECP president and Halifax (Canada) mayor Mike Savage.

Khalid, who is also Amanah communications director, said there was no compulsion for any party member to accept or refuse any award or medal.

“We remind members that they cannot ask to be honoured but if an offer is made, it is up to them to accept or reject it,” he said.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng has criticised several party leaders who recently accepted awards from Melaka and Sabah.

Khalid said Amanah members can accept awards if these can help to enhance the party image or their work.

“Perhaps the individual honoured may have just become a minister but had been serving the community for a long time.

“As such, it is not wrong to be accorded the honour,” he said.