Royal website to check background of Datuks

KLANG: A website to be set up by the Sultan of Selangor on progress in the state will have an interesting section, where the public can check on the background of Datuks in the state. 

Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has decided that there should be an avenue for the people of Selangor to verify the authenticity of those who claim to be holders of titles bestowed by the state. 

The website, which will be the first to be set up by a state Ruler in the country’s history, will have details of recipients of titles bestowed by Sultan Sharafuddin since he became the Ruler in 2003. 

The Sultan also plans to compile the names of those who were conferred Datukships by his father – the late Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, who was Ruler from 1961 to 2001. 

The Sultan, who has earned a reputation for wanting to clean up the state of titled individuals who misbehaved, also wants the website to be interactive as he wants to receive e-mails from his subjects. 

The Sultan said he wanted the rakyat to send him information on any subject relating to the state, which they feel should be brought to his attention. 

“The palace is now in the midst of collecting the photographs and data of Datuks. The website, once set up, has to be regularly updated but I understand the limitations of the Council of the Royal Court. 

“I know this is not easy as the palace needs to engage Internet consultants to work with the officials on the website but I feel strongly for the rakyat on this matter and I want to try my best,” the Sultan said. 

The Sultan’s private aide, Kelvin Ong, who has been directed to oversee the setting up of the website, said it was not merely to check on titleholders as the Sultan also wanted to use the Internet to keep the people updated on what the state government was doing to serve the people. 

“He also wants the public to provide feedback – not just complaints but positive views and suggestions – on how to improve the state. The information will then be conveyed to the Mentri Besar and other authorities for follow-up action.  

“Tuanku will also seek the help of his officials to verify the authenticity of the allegations and claims of the e-mail senders,” he said. 

Sultan Sharafuddin also said he wanted the website to include the history of the state awards as well as the history of the Selangor Sultanate, adding that historians who specialised on the state’s history, would be consulted. 

“There is no point in getting a title or an award from Selangor for the sake of prestige, when the person has no idea of the rich tradition and history of the royal house. 

“The website will enable the people, especially the recipients, to learn about the importance of these titles and why they were conferred. It is an important institution,” he said. 

The unprecedented step of setting up the website is a follow-up by Sultan Sharafuddin in his efforts to ensure that recipients of Selangor awards maintained their good name and that of the state – or risk having their titles revoked. 

In June, the Sultan directed the newly set-up Council of Selangor Datuks, which was approved by the Registrar of Societies (ROS), to be dissolved immediately.  

He also ordered those attempting to set up a Chinese Datuks Association of Selangor to stop doing so as he did not want any communal grouping to be formed. 

The Sultan had also said that he did not want the Datuks to form a council or association with “motives” such as putting up crests on their cars or as “stepping stones for other plans.” 

He also revealed that he had directed the Council of Royal Court to draw up guidelines on the circumstances under which the state could revoke the titles of Datuks who had discredited the state. 

He pointed that at least five Selangor Datuks had been convicted or charged with various crimes, including corruption. The Sultan is waiting for the outcome of their cases and appeals to the higher courts. 

On Nov 27, 2002, the Sultan stripped the Datukship of two businessmen, Tan Hock Low and Robert Chan Wai Ing, for improper conduct not befitting the title conferred on them. 

On Jan 2, 2003, Tan was shot dead while having dinner with four friends at a restaurant in Jalan Imbi.