KUALA LUMPUR: DAP has reprimanded its elected representatives who have received titles and awards in disregard to its stand that none of its members should do so while on active political service.
DAP national organising secretary Anthony Loke said DAP elected representatives and local councillors must respect the decision of the party’s central executive committee (CEC) and not accept any title or award until after retirement from the political scene.
He said the CEC had met on Monday and resolved to reiterate a decade-old understanding to the effect.
“Elected representatives and local councilors shall only receive titles and awards after retiring from active service. The DAP Melaka state chairman has been informed and categorically told of this decade-old CEC understanding in July and the CEC resolved to express its displeasure for not being consulted on the offer of titles and awards.
“DAP Sabah leaders who received titles and awards have also been informed of the party’s reiterated position. Therefore, the CEC reprimands any DAP leaders who denied and claimed ignorance of this decade-old understanding.
“Leaders who try to justify receiving awards without informing or awaiting directives from the party leadership have no respect for the party. Consequent to this CEC resolution, a written advisory will be issued to all elected representatives and local councilors to reiterate the party’s position of not receiving titles and awards during active political service. Any offers of titles and awards should be referred to DAP central leadership.”
Loke said DAP leaders were in politics to serve the people and not seek fame or titles or positions.
“DAP recognises the importance of titles and awards as a way to appreciate their contributions of towering figures in society and therefore advises its elected representatives and local councilors to receive these honours after they retire from active service, presumably after they have contributed to society at large.”
Recently, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng had openly chided several party leaders from Melaka and Sabah who had accepted titles and awards.
He had said their actions had gone against the party’s struggles and would give the perception that the party had changed not even a year after being voted in as part of the government.