TTF: On the 12th of April 2010, Lim Kit Siang hosted an article by a Kee Thuan Chye, an excerpt of which read:
“So many datuks and tan sris take themselves so seriously they will throw tantrums or threaten action if you fail to acknowledge their titles in public. This seems unbecoming, placing more emphasis on the title than the content of character or of personal calibre. You may be an excellent engineer or judge, say, but if you have to depend on an honorific to define you, that’s rather pathetic.
“Besides, it is public knowledge that not all titles are awarded to those who are deserving. Sometimes, it all boils down to connections. A majority of public servants, political leaders and civil service officials, seem to be automatically conferred.”
There didn’t seem to be a disclaimer posted anywhere within the said article, meaning, Kit Siang more or less agreed with whatever Thuan Chye wrote.
Yesterday, an excerpt from the Malay Mail Online read (see news item below):
“DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng chided members for going against the party culture and accepting state awards that bestow them with titles like “Datuk”, telling them to focus on service first to avoid being seen as “gunning” for awards.”
Unless Guan Eng is in disagreement with his father, shouldn’t he be investigating those in the DAP who were offered Datukships to see if they have “connections” and (or) solicited some deals with the heads of states who offered them those titles?
Note: Individual states that have a head of state by the respective state’s legislature may confer the title of “Datuk” to individuals. However, this is different from the title “Dato'”. The latter is awarded by individual states headed by a Sultan, and not a head of state nominated by the state legislature.
TAIPING: DAP members were told off a second time today and urged not to clamour for government positions now that Pakatan Harapan is in power.
Perak DAP secretary Wong Kah Woh told delegates at the state DAP convention that party adviser Lim Kit Siang had declined government positions.
“So do not talk about positions only,” the Ipoh Timur MP said.
Wong was responding to a complaint earlier by Perak DAP delegate Cheong Chee Khin, who is also political secretary to Human Resources Minister M. Kula Segaran, and had called for a transparent system for the appointment of councillors and village chiefs.
Wong pointed out that the number of positions was limited.
“Of the 106 local councillors positions, there are over 250 names submitted. Hence not everyone will get positions,” he said.
Earlier this morning, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng chided members for going against the party culture and accepting state awards that bestow them with titles like “Datuk”, telling them to focus on service first to avoid being seen as “gunning” for awards.
Wong also advised members against highlighting internal party matters to the media.
“The party and its members are a family,” he said, in response to a question raised by a delegate over a police report lodged against a party member over a comment made on Facebook that had been reported in the press.
“Let police investigate the case,” he said, adding that Perak DAP members must appreciate what the party has achieved to date.
Source: The Malay Mail Online
