Jui Meng loses his titles

JOHOR BARU: Former MCA leader Datuk Chua Jui Meng (pic) has been stripped of two Datuk titles conferred by the Johor Palace.

Chua, who is now a PKR supreme council member, was stripped of the Datuk Seri Paduka Mahkota Johor and Datuk Paduka Mahkota Johor titles effective June 8.

However, he will still to be referred to as a “Datuk” by virtue of a title conferred by the Sultan of Pahang.

When contacted, Chua said the Johor palace did not give any reasons for revoking both titles.

He said he first received a letter informing him of the matter on June 8 and yesterday he received a reminder of the palace’s actions.

“Both titles are very special to me as it was given by the late Sultan Iskandar Ibni Almarhum Sultan Ismail a few years ago.

“I understand that I am only the second Chinese in Johor to be given the title Datuk Seri Paduka Mahkota Johor,” he told The Star here yesterday.

Chua said this would not deter him from working hard to reform Johor and the country.

He said he would forever be grateful to the late Sultan for his friendship and for his leadership.

“I value his (the late Sultan’s) friendship and his contributions towards my life. I still do not understand why the palace stripped me of the titles. However, it is the prerogative of the current Sultan,” said Chua.

Johor Council of Royal Court secretary Datuk Abdul Rahim Ramli said the council would hold a press conference on the matter today.