PETALING JAYA: The Ruler who awarded the Datuk Seri title to a man who allegedly beat up a Rela member last Friday should revoke the title if the man was awarded one, said Council of Federal Datuks president Tan Sri Danny Ooi (pic).
Expressing sadness over the incident where the Datuk Seri was seen on video assaulting three Rela officers, Ooi said any individual with good standing and holding a title should not resort to such actions.
"They must respect people in uniform.
"I hope if this news goes back to the Ruler who awarded the title, it should be taken away from the man," Ooi told a press conference during the council's anniversary charity dinner.
It was reported that the Datuk Seri lost his cool when he beat up three Rela members on duty due to a perceived lack of respect shown to him by them.
A video recording of the incident showed the man beating up the Rela members who did not fight back.
Ooi explained that the man was not a member of the council.
"Our members are those conferred titles by the King at federal level," he said.
He said although the conferment of datukship titles falls under the jurisdiction of the Sultans and Governors, the recipients should go through stringent vetting of their background.
"I believe this has already been put in place and it is up to the state governments to carry out all the necessary checks," he said.
Ooi said the council would be meeting the police over the problem of conferment of dubious titles from unrecognised institutions.
"We hope the police can set up a hotline so that the public can give a tip-off whenever they identify those found using fake titles," he said.
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