PH ministers don’t deserve honorifics as yet, says Kadir

PeTalING JaYa: The decision by five ministers to accept the honorific titles from the Melaka state government was not a smart one, said veteran journalist Datuk A. Kadir Jasin.

Kadir said Pakatan Harapan government was still “green-eared” (setahun jagung), being less than a year old and does not deserve to receive any honorific titles.

“Furthermore, it has yet to fulfil the high expectations of the people.

“This (acceptance of the honorific titles) gives the impression that there is no difference between the Pakatan ministers and the bigwigs in the Barisan Nasional government who were crazy for positions, titles and riches,” he wrote in his blog on Wednesday.

Kadir has always maintained that his blogs are written in his personal capacity and not as part of his official post as media and communications adviser in the Prime Minister’s Office.

The five ministers are Rural Development Minister Rina Mohd Harun, Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, Entrepreneur Development Minister Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa.

They received the Darjah Gemilang Seri Melaka (DGSM) award which carries the title “Datuk Seri” in conjunction with the 80th birthday of Melaka Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob last Sunday.

Kadir said while he does not deny there were some in Pakatan who have contributed to the nation as the opposition, he said people judge ministers from their contributions and achievements.

“The people are disgusted. The debate on social media shows clear- ly that the majority of the people do not agree but feel nauseated by the acceptance of the honorific titles,” he said.

Kasid added that he agreed with DAP which discourages its leaders from accepting honorific titles but to serve the people.

“I am sorry to say that many in the various parties are still unclear about what their contributions were to feel worthy of receiving the said honorific titles,” said Kadir.