KOTA KINABALU: The DAP will debate early next year its policy prohibiting elected representatives from accepting honorific titles.
The exchange of views at the party's congress in March would determine whether the policy would be reviewed, said secretary-general Anthony Loke.
He said he supported the policy.
This year, DAP's Likas assemblyman Tan Lee Fatt was among those awarded the Panglima Gemilang Darjah Kinabalu on Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin's birthday,
The award carries the title "Datuk".
Tan is the sixth Sabah DAP member to accept a title while serving as an elected representative.
The others include the late Datuk Stephen Wong, Datuk Jimmy Wong and Datuk Frankie Poon.
Loke said no formal exemption from the party policy was given to Sabah DAP lawmakers.
But he added that the elected representatives explained they did not ask to be given the awards.
"Of the five federal ministers from DAP, none hold titles except Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin from Sabah.
"I don't have a title. I'm not a Datuk. I'm just an Encik," Loke told a press conference after officiating at the Sabah DAP Ordinary Convention at the State Convention Centre here.
Loke also pointed out a similar case in Selangor; exco member Ng Suee Lim was conferred a Datukship last year.
He added: "Whether party members have titles or not, our role in government is to serve the public."