SEREMBAN: The Negri Sembilan palace has revoked two titles conferred on former Dewan Negara president Tan Sri Dr Mohd Rais Yatim.
State secretary Datuk Mohd Zafir Ibrahim said the revoked honours are the Darjah Seri Utama Negeri Sembilan (SPNS) awarded in 2001 and the Darjah Dato’ Setia Negeri Sembilan (DSNS) bestowed in 1979.
“The Duli Yang Maha Mulia Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negri Sembilan has decreed the revocation of both titles with immediate effect.
“This decision was made to safeguard the majesty, dignity, and honour of the Negri Sembilan royal institution,” Mohd Zafir said.
The SPNS carries the title Datuk Seri, while the DSNS carries a Datuk.
Rais had served as Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar from 1978 to 1982 and as Dewan Negara president from 2020 to 2023.
He had also served in the Cabinet, holding portfolios such as Foreign Minister, Information Minister, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.
He is currently Parti Wawasan Negara chairman.
Rais said he accepted the palace’s decision to revoke two of his state titles.
“I accept the decision willingly and have a philosophy in life that seasons change.
“There are occasions when you receive an award and there are times when it can be taken back,” he said in a video posted on TikTok.
He said the late state Ruler, Tuanku Ja’afar Tuanku Abdul Rahman, conferred the titles on him after he completed his tenure as mentri besar.
Rais also expressed hope that the people would not be judgmental over the palace’s decision to revoke the titles.
He said the revocation was not a major issue, as other senior politicians had suffered the same fate before.
“(To me) Awards are conferred and awards are withdrawn. The people might ask why, but that is not for me to answer.
“The question of whether it was wise to issue this notice today will be left to the people of Negri Sembilan, particularly the voters in the Klawang constituency and Jelebu,” he said.
The state polls will be held tomorrow and Rais’ son Danni will be standing as a candidate in Klawang under the Perikatan Nasional banner.
Rais was conferred the Darjah Panglima Setia Mahkota in 2013 by then-Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah, which carries the title Tan Sri.
