FT Ministry won’t recommend politicians for awards

KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Territories Ministry will not recommend politicians for awards in conjunction with Federal Territories Day next year, its minister, Khalid Samad, said yesterday.

The awards would be given to those who serve the community, such as educators, volunteers involved in humanitarian work and those who brought fame to the country in the international arena, he said.

He said this after opening the annual general meeting of the World Energy Cities Partnership (WECP) here.

Khalid said political leaders had time to prove themselves in serving the community before they were selected to be honoured.

“Let’s see their service and performance. If there is to be any recommendation, we will leave it to those who are making the offer,” he said.

Khalid, who Parti Amanah Negara communications director, said there was no compulsion for party members 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,”

Recently, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng criticised party leaders who had accepted awards from Melaka and Sabah.

Lim, who is finance minister, said these leaders’ actions did not reflect the spirit of the party’s real struggle and gave people a wrong perception of the party as it had been in power for less than a year.

Khalid said Amanah members could accept awards if they could boost the party image or their work.

“Perhaps the individual honoured may have just been appointed as a minister, but has been serving the community for a long time.

“As such, it is not wrong to be accorded an honour.”