Why are we so obsessed with titles?

The recent awarding of ‘datukships’ to politicians has reopened the debate about such honorifics.

IF you are a politician and you need to defend your acceptance of a Datukship, here are excuses you can give.

“I did not ask for the award but it would be impolite and disrespectful to reject the award by the Melaka governor.

“Other DAP leaders have received honorary titles in the past but no one made noise” — Melaka deputy Speaker Datuk Wong Fort Pin of DAP.

He was among five first-time federal ministers, three deputy ministers and four Melaka executive councillors (excos) who received the “Datuk Seri” and “Datuk” titles in conjunction with Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob’s 80th birthday.

“I accepted it because I had rejected the Datuk Seri title for three consecutive years as I felt at that time I was merely an ordinary citizen” — Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM).

“The award will spur me to better serve the people” — Rural Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun of PPBM.

“I only received a letter informing me about this award on the evening of Oct 4, before the event on Oct 6. We had an emergency meeting with the others who also received the letter. It was too late to decline the awards. We felt that it would be very disrespectful if we did not accept the state titles” — Sabah Health and Wellbeing minister and Sabah DAP chief Datuk Stephen Wong.

He was among Sabah DAP’s two state ministers, an assistant minister and six assemblymen and MPs conferred titles in conjunction with the 65th birthday celebration of Tun Juhar Mahiruddin.

“Just call me “Jimmy” or “Tiger”, that title need not be used. I did not ask for it, I just asked for a chance to serve the people” — assistant minister to the Sabah chief minister Datuk Jimmy Wong Sze Phin of DAP.

If you are a politician especially from DAP, here are the reasons given by DAP secretary-general and Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng on why you shouldn’t accept the title.

– It is important for party members to show integrity by rejecting such state awards to prove they were not after titles or positions while in public service. They should wait until retirement to accept.

– It gave the wrong impression to the people since it was hardly a year DAP became part of the ruling Federal government.

– It was “unhealthy” to adopt the Barisan Nasional culture of chasing after titles and awards.

– Even the Melaka Chief Minister Adly Zahari did not accept the award.

– Emulate the late Tun Ghafar Baba, who was a deputy Prime Minister, who only accepted the “Tunship” after retiring.

– I’m not a Datuk.

Veteran journalist Datuk A. Kadir Jasin did not mince his words when he commented on the Datukgate in his blog on Wednesday.

He said the decision by the five federal ministers to accept the title from the Melaka government was not a smart one.

He said the PH government does not deserve to receive any honorific titles, as it is less than a year old and has yet to fulfil the high expectations of the people.

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

When the Datukgate controversy erupted about two weeks ago, my WhatsApp Sabah groups was filled with congratulations to the recipients of the state awards.

There were also brickbats. Some felt that it was too early – less than 150 days of the Pakatan Harapan/ Parti Warisan Sabah sweeping into power – for the politicians to receive the award.

It gave the impression that they were “gila pangkat” (crazy for a title).

The Encik Ghafar Baba of Barisan Nasional is Khairy Jamaluddin.

The former Youth and Sports Minister, is probably the only Barisan minister since Ghafar not to have a title. Khairy had declined Datukship from five states.

Curious to know why he was without a title, I spoke to the Rembau MP.

Khairy said he refused to accept the titles because he believed that politicians shouldn’t make it a practice to receive them.

“It is also to make it a point that I see so many – I’m sorry to say this – people who are very, very dubious and undeserving of this honour who are going around with titles. I don’t think it’s right,” he said.

“I want to take a stand that you should respect these titles rather than every Tom, Dick and Harry getting it.”

“Some politicians said that they couldn’t refuse the award. How did you manage to refuse the titles?” I asked him.

“You go and respectfully see the person who recommended for you,” he said.

For example, when he was offered a federal Datukship, Khairy saw the then Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and told him that it was too early for him to receive it.

He has also gone to the Palace to explain that “thank you for the honour but I am undeserving of receiving it”.

“Why are Malaysians obsessed with titles?” I asked Khairy.

“The moment you see a Datuk, it opens doors and things like that. So that makes people obsessed with it as they think if I have a Datuk title, it will give me a leg up. And people will respect me and it doesn’t matter what I have really done to deserve it.”

Encik Khairy added: “It is a national obsession, actually.”