Vet all title recipients thoroughly

A MAN is innocent until proven guilty. The Datuk Seri can easily be traced, arrested and charged in court for obstructing and causing hurt to the three Rela men who are public servants. There should not be any travesty of justice.

If the Datuk Seri is charged and is found guilty, he must bear the full brunt of the law. The punishment meted out by the court should be severe and serve as a deterrent to other would-be offenders, more so if the offenders hold honorific titles.

Conferring honorific titles on those who do not deserve them is one of the reasons why some title holders behave irrationally, to the extent of committing criminal acts on those whom they consider to be below their status in life.

Opinions differ as to the correct way of bestowing titles as there will always be “black sheep’ in the family.

Strict and proper vetting is needed to ascertain whether an individual is a fit and proper person to be awarded the title. His background, contribution to society, educational level, etc are relevant factors to be considered.

Minimise the risk so that the titles carry significant meaning to the beholders. There must be no place for arrogance, rudeness or insolence. If need be, withdraw the titles/awards.

To those who feel high and mighty and demand respect just because they have certain titles, let them not forget the words of wisdom of Lord Denning, perhaps the greatest, most respected and distinguished English judge of the last century: “Be you ever so high, the law is still above you.”

SYED OMAR MOHAMED Kluang, Johor