Datuk Criminals, Tan Sri Clown and Mr Opposiiton

I believe the only Opposition bigwig who was ever conferred royal honours by the King was Tan Sri Tan Chee Khoon. Perhaps it was because everyone liked him including the Perikatan (Alliance Party) or BN (Coalition Front).

I am talking about a man who had never ever resiled from his opposition credentials, so that qualification would leave out people like Lee Lam Thye and the various PAS big shots honoured variously by the sultans of the East Coast States.

Parti Reformasi Insan Malaysia (Prim) believed it’s time that the King honours Parliamentary Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang, perhaps if KTemoc may add, in the coming Merdeka honours. PRIM suggested that Lim be recognised for his efforts and commitment towards upholding the cause of democracy, justice, fair play and human rights.

And for a man who had served his nation as a loyal member of parliament for nearly half a century the minimum he should be honoured with should be at least the title of Tun.

Lim Kit Siang - malaysiakini photo

Prim pro-tem secretary-general P Uthayakumar said: “It is about time the government of the day displays magnanimity and rises above the narrow establishment political mindset and recognise the role of the opposition.”

“By honouring him with a ‘Tunship’ the leadership of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi would de departing from the conventional establishment mindset.”

Uthayakumar declared Lim as the single most significant opposition political personality whose contributions over the decades has kept democracy alive.

I support Uthayakumar’s proposal immediately when I cannot but help recall the many Datuks who continued to hold their titles while in prison for various crimes including murder. I support his proposal further when I recollect with repugnance the Tan Sri conferred to an UMNO-brown-nosing clown like Koh TK.

Go to any BN political party and spit, and you should consider yourself lucky enough to win 1st prize in any lottery draw if you miss hitting a Datuk, Datuk Seri or Tan Sri. Go to a ........

Hey, I could go on and on and on in this vein, with my memories of unjust & undeserved awards versus none yet for a man who has been consistently resolute and had spun the easy attractions of corruption. And let’s not forget Karpal Singh too.