Khalid: Amanah leaves it to individuals whether or not to accept titles

MEMBERS of Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) are free to accept or decline Datukship titles if offered, says the party's communications director Khalid Abdul Samad.

The decision on whether to accept or not was a personal choice between the individual concerned and the party offering, said Khalid, who is also the Federal Territories Minister. 

“In this instance, we don’t have a stand. 

"It really is up to the individual offered whether to take it or not,’’ he said. 

Khalid clarified Amanah's stand on the matter after its Pakatan partner DAP rebuked several of its party members recently for accepting Datukship awards from state rulers. 

Secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said it was not in keeping with party principles.  

“There have been people who took it, and there are also people who rejected the offer, but to us it’s not really an issue,’’ Khalid added.  

“For those who think that the title can help boost their image or help them in their work, please go ahead; and for those who refuse, it it’s entirely up to them," he stressed. 

When asked if it was too soon for some people to be getting titles, Khalid said this was for the person offering the title to decide. 

“They should take note of whether if this person just became a minister or if he has long been in service," he said. 

Khalid said that for the FT day celebration next year, the ministry had decided to carry out the tradition of conferring titles for the Darjah Kebesaran Bintang dan Pingat Wilayah Persekutuan (DKBPWP) investiture ceremony on Feb 1. 

“But we will only honour unsung heroes like activist Zunar (cartoonist), who made Malaysia proud internationally, and people who have done work involving Palestine and the Rohingyas and NGOs who do work quietly,’’ he said. 

He added that these were people who needed the exposure.  

Khalid, however, added that he would not be recommending awards to politicians, saying that when it came to politicians, he would have to look at their work performance and track record, and it was too early at this to consider it.