PUTRAJAYA: Rural Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun has defended the practice of politicians accepting awards and titles, saying it would not lessen their effectiveness in serving the people.
Instead, such awards and honours would only serve to spur the recipients into working harder for the rakyat, she said.
Rina said she was honoured at being bestowed the Darjah Gemilang Seri Melaka (D.G.S.M) award, which carries the title ‘Datuk Seri’.
“We are only human. We can only plan, the best planner is Allah. It is up to the individual (to have his or her opinion about honorary titles). For me, it is a positive thing to (continue) serving the rakyat.
“In my opinion, such titles are not stumbling blocks that prevent us from serving the people,” she told reporters at the Universiti Kuala Lumpur Convocation on Monday.
Rina headed the list of 419 recipients of state awards and medals in conjunction with the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Melaka Tun Dr Mohd Khalil Yaakob’s 80th birthday last Saturday.
Rina, who is Titiwangsa member of Parliament and also Pakatan Harapan (PH) Wanita deputy chief, was among the 14 recipients of the D.G.S.M award,
Melaka Chief Minister Adly Zahari said the other recipients of the D.G.S.M award were Health Minister Dr Dzulkeply Ahmad; Entrepreneur Development Minister Mohd Redzuan MD Yusof; Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail; and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religion) Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof.
On the criticism leveled against those who had received the awards, Rina said those chosen had undergone a strict selection process.
“For us, it is an honour to be chosen. We hope this can be regarded positively. They (the critics) can give all sort of views and opinions. But for the recipients, we see it as an encouragement for us to continue to serve the people.
“Don’t worry, I am still the same Rina Harun,” she added.
Rina said Cabinet did not have standard operating procedure (SOP) for any ministers or deputy ministers regarding honorary titles.
Aside from the said ministers, several DAP leaders were also bestowed awards which carry the “Datuk” title, including Melaka DAP chairman Tey Kok Kiew, Sabah DAP chairman Stephen Wong and Sabah Youth and Sports minister Frankie Poon.
Meanwhile, lawyer’s group Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) said such titles should not simply be given to any politician but should only be awarded after a strenuous vetting process.
It said such titles should only be given to those who have unquestionably contributed to society through exceptional service beyond their call of duty. It called for an end to the practice of awarding politicians or ministers with honorary titles by virtue of their position.
LFL coordinator Zaid Malek, in a statement, stressed that ministers who were currently still in office as well as other elected representatives generally should not receive such awards, especially solely by virtue of their office.
“They are given the mandate by the people to administer and execute their duties for the betterment of society. Simply put, it is their job to contribute to society by virtue of their office, and that cannot be construed as something that goes beyond their call of duty.”
He said the award of this title to the new ministers was even more questionable considering that they had only been in office for about five months.
“(This is) too brief a period for anyone to say that any policy or action taken has brought significant improvement or contribution to society.
“These ministers should have done the right thing and courteously declined to accept the titles.”
Zaid said if politicians or ministers were continuously awarded titles by virtue of their position, it would render the designations meaningless, and if they desired to have a title, they should prove their worth just like everyone else.