The Datuks in DAP

The Datuks in DAP

Francis Paul Siah


COMMENT | Selangor state executive councillor Ng Suee Lim - the latest “Datuk” in the growing list of decorated DAP men, sounded way out of sync in his attempt to justify why he deserves the datukship.

His Dec 11 statement that “I’ve informed the DAP leadership prior to receiving ‘Datuk’ title” is one which I would describe as a careless, nonchalant “full of himself” retort as if he and he alone, is entitled to the award.

Not only does it sound like the man needs the title desperately, Ng also seems to be telling his party leaders off: “I’m going to be a Datuk anyway, any disciplinary action against me is fine, do what you wish”. Ah well, at least that’s how I read it.

Talk of a politician who thinks he is bigger than his seniors or the party, DAP, which gave him his political career and much more, and you get Ng. It’s tough to decline a datukship as that is seen as a necessary status symbol now that you are “somebody” in politics.

Let me caution the many DAP fellows about getting too big-headed now that they are in power and living it up. Be wary that an inflated ego may hinder a politician’s ability to collaborate effectively with others.


Keeping your ego in check

Collaboration is crucial in politics and an inability to work with others can result in diplomatic failures, legislative gridlock, or weakened alliances.

The DAP has to be exemplary on this front but of late, we are witnessing many party lawmakers appointed to government positions veering off-course. Indeed, Pakatan Harapan and DAP supporters have valid reasons to be concerned about this development.

It’s also important to note that not all politicians succumb to the negative aspects of ego, and some manage to balance confidence with humility and a genuine commitment to public service.

However, when ego becomes unchecked, it can indeed lead to the downfall of politicians and hinder their ability to effectively serve their constituents. I worry that Ng might be heading in that direction from the way he acted in the Datuk episode.

Ng did not even apologise for going against the party’s guidelines for receiving awards. To him, it seems that the datukship is more important than whatever ties or goodwill he has with the DAP and his party colleagues.

At least, the previous two DAP Datuks from Sabah apologised to the party and accepted a reprimand for violating the party’s policy which prohibits members from accepting titles while serving as elected representatives.


Poor excuses

As for Ng, he came up with his “reasons” (read “excuses”) and in his own words: “There were issues (about receiving honours) before this, but we have entered a new age of globalisation.

“All conditions (such as) conducive developments and becoming (forming) government need to be examined.

“In this context, I had already informed the leadership,” he was quoted as saying by Utusan Malaysia.

I’m trying to make sense of what Ng was trying to say but in doing so, I came out of it more confused.

By saying that “we have entered a new age of globalisation”, is Ng implying that all politicians must now be rewarded with titles and awards? To be in sync with the new globalisation age? Is this what Ng meant?

Then Ng also wanted “conducive development and becoming the government” to be examined. What I understand from that is now that DAP leaders are in power and part of the government, they are also entitled to receive awards.

If such is the case, I wonder whether Ng has ever spared some thoughts as to why his senior DAP leaders like Lim Guan Eng, Anthony Loke, Gobind Singh, and Chow Kon Yeow have never been made “Datuk”.

Surely, these senior party stalwarts must have received offers of titles and awards from the palace but they must also have respectfully declined them in keeping with the party’s “no title” policy. They have led by example and I’m glad they have kept to the spirit of the policy.

Several years ago, two DAP leaders, Ngeh Koo Ham of Perak and Teng Chang Khim of Selangor were the first two from the party who accepted the datukship. Before the duo from Sabah two months ago, there were also similar cases in Malacca.

Those who said they could not turn down the awards from the palace or the Astana are only fooling themselves.

We know for a fact that a recipient will first get an offer letter of the award and it is up to him or her to accept or decline. Many, including DAP politicians, had declined such offers, in the past.

I believe that DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang must have turned down many awards in the past, and only accepted the “Tan Sri” upon his retirement from public service.

Oh yes, Ng has informed the DAP leadership before receiving the datukship. I bet Ng could pretend that he was unaware that informing and receiving the green light from his party leaders are two different things altogether.

FRANCIS PAUL SIAH is a veteran Sarawak editor and heads the Movement for Change, Sarawak (MoCS). He can be reached at sirsiah@gmail.com