Datuk, Tan Sri Titles Carry Great Responsibility, Not Status Symbols - Analysts

By Nazira Hasanah Nasaruddin

KUALA LUMPUR, June 3 (Bernama) -- The decree by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, that federal honours are not to be bought or obtained through lobbying, but must be earned on merit, has been hailed by analysts as a timely reminder, to preserve the integrity of the country's honours system.

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) political analyst Prof Datuk Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said that the conferment of honorary titles, especially those carrying the titles of Datuk and Tan Sri, was not merely a form of respect, but also carried significant moral and social responsibilities to society.

He acknowledged that there has been a growing trend of lobbying for such titles in recent times, with some individuals even abusing these honours for personal or political gain.

“That is why the royal address by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim is very timely. An award of this nature is not just a recognition, it comes with a sense of duty and responsibility, which must be upheld as a citizen.

“If we refer to His Majesty's address, he emphasised that recipients should feel proud, as they are individuals who have been selected, based on well-defined and thorough criteria,” he said when contacted by Bernama.

Sultan Ibrahim, in his royal address at the investiture ceremony held in conjunction with His Majesty’s official birthday celebration at Istana Negara on Monday (June 2), emphasised that federal awards and medals are not for sale or subject to lobbying, but are only given to individuals who are truly deserving, and have rendered distinguished service to the government and the country.

The King said that although the government has outlined the criteria for consideration, he will personally re-evaluate each proposed candidate.

Sivamurugan said that from a socio-cultural perspective, Malaysians have traditionally placed great value on honorary titles. However, as the number of recipients increased dramatically, questions began to arise regarding the qualifications and authenticity of the awards conferred.

“In the past, there were very few recipients, and they were genuinely respected. But now, with the surge in recipients, some have started to question their qualifications. In fact, there have been cases involving recipients who were problematic individuals,” he said.

Touching on the issue of transparency, he explained that the existing system incorporates multiple evaluation filters, including background screening of prospective recipients by a special committee, as well as record checks conducted by authorities, such as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).

“However, this system can be refined and streamlined. Screening should extend beyond criminal records or misconduct to also assess a candidate’s moral worthiness and actual contributions,” he said.

Echoing Sivamurugan’s views, Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) political science senior lecturer, Mujibu Abd Muis, stressed that the country’s award system must remain free from any form of pressure, lobbying, or personal interests.

“I agree and fully support His Majesty’s decree. This serves as an important reminder of the value and integrity of our country’s award system.

“Awards of this nature should be bestowed only upon individuals who have genuinely demonstrated significant contributions to society, the nation, and development across various fields, be it in the public, private, social, or voluntary sectors,” he said.

He added that the awards hold profound symbolic value within the Constitutional Monarchy system, reflecting the country’s deep appreciation for the service and sacrifices of its recipients.

“In a society which upholds custom and hierarchy, this award is regarded as the pinnacle of social recognition and status. Therefore, it carries great significance, not only as a symbol but also as a confirmation of achievement.

Mujibu added that transparent and easy-to-understand public guidelines would help reduce misunderstandings and negative perceptions surrounding the country’s award system.

He said that the guidelines would enhance the credibility of the existing system and could also encourage the public to continue contributing to the country, knowing that their efforts would be recognised fairly and transparently.

-- BERNAMA