This comes after an increase in the number of cases involving federal and state honorific recipients over the last several years. They include corruption, money laundering, gangsterism, extortion, fights and a host of other criminal offences.

In the most recent cases, Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador announced the arrest of 34 people linked to the Macau scam, including officers from various enforcement agencies.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) also reported the arrest of 68 people believed to be gang members, with some said to be holding federal or state titles.

Patriot president Brig-Gen (Rtd) Mohamed Arshad Raji said federal and state governments that recommend awards have a set of rules and criteria and, normally, only deserving individuals receive titles, which are given at the discretion of the rulers.

He said the recipients of such awards are deemed to have contributed exemplary service to the state and nation and are of reputable and untarnished character.

As such, they are expected to uphold themselves with honour and dignity and not to bring themselves into disrepute.

When prosecuted, he said, a recipient not only degrades and dishonours the title but also the ruler who had awarded it.

“A public image of a Tan Sri, Datuk Seri or Datuk attired in the infamous orange MACC, handcuffed and arraigned in court to face criminal charges is disgusting,” he said in a statement.

Patriot suggested that all federal and state titles conferred on recipients who had been convicted for criminal activities be revoked and degazetted.

“Patriot respects the right of the states and rulers to bestow honorifics to whomsoever they wished. But one has to consider which of these two is more important to preserve: the sanctity and integrity of the honorific or a disgraced recipient?” he said.