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The Federal Government Should Apply Uniform Standards In Awarding of Datukships Similar To Selangor Sultan To Restore The Dignity And Status Of Datuks And Avoid The Controversy Of Wholesale Granting Of 84 Datukships By Melaka This Year

Press Statement
by Lim Guan Eng

(Petaling Jaya, Wednesday): All states should learn from the example of the Selangor Sultan in suspending the Datukships of those who misbehave or being charged in court until they have been cleared of such allegations. DAP welcomes the brave decision taken by the Selangor Sultan in suspending the 6 Datuks as it would fulfil the requirement that their behaviour must be beyond reproach. Even though some have been not been convicted their titles can be immediately restored if proven to be innocent.  

The Federal Government should follow suit by suspending all Tan Sri’s and Datuks who misbehave or been charged in court. In fact the Federal Government should take the lead by applying uniform standards in such awards. Amongst the criteria applied are:

  1. limit the number of Datuks per year to avoid the improper and unbecoming wholesale granting of Datukships as happened in Melaka when 84 Datukship were awarded this year and if left unchecked could reach 100 next year.

  2. set out the contributions made by these Datuks politically, economically and socially to the state;

  3. establish clear guidelines on the qualifications that must be fulfilled before they can be considered for Datukships 

Without clear guidelines, people with unsavoury backgrounds or who misbehave will continue to be granted Datuks  This will not only diminish the value status and dignity of Datuks but also create a public perception that Datukships can serve as a political or business pay-off. This negative view of Datuk was obvious in Melaka when Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Mohd Ali Rustam denied that the record number of Datuks was a political pay-off to those who helped him win the UMNO Vice-Presidency. No one whether in Melaka or in Malaysia believed Datuk Mohd. Ali Rustam. 

Such a negative impression is unfair on those who deserve to be granted Datuks. The time has come to restore the dignity, status and good standing of Datuks by ensuring that these Datuks not only have a clean background but are also seen to be clean. DAP hopes that the Federal Government and all state governments will follow the Selangor Sultan and set up clear guidelines to ensure that the awards are not only transparent but also accountable. 

(20/10/2004)

* Lim Guan Eng, DAP Secretary-General