KUALA LUMPUR: DAP's plan to deliberate its age-old practice of prohibiting its elected representative from accepting honorific titles has generated heated discussions among party leaders and members.
While some believe that it would be a betrayal of party principles, others argue that it is time the party looks forward, especially given its role in the ruling government.
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke on Sunday said the party's congress next March would see delegates decide on whether the policy would be reviewed.
Amsyar Raziq Adanan, 29, a DAP member from Bangi, said accepting the titles would go against the party's principles in championing the people's cause.
He said this specific policy was a deciding factor that inspired him to join the party.
"The party must remain with its long-time principle (to not accept honorific titles) and just work for the people.
"If we change our principle, what makes us more special than other parties?" Amsyar said.
Wilking Lim, 38, a DAP member from Melaka, said leaders accepting honorific titles would only spark unnecessary controversial debates among party members as their sincerity as elected members would be questioned.
He believed the policy should be maintained to reflect the party's aspiration to work for the people. He said a final decision at the party congress would end all discussions about the policy.
"If our secretary-general could lead by example (by not accepting honorific titles), I don't see why other elected members can have a more difficult time in declining such titles," he said.
Former Selangor State Assembly Speaker Datuk Seri Teng Chang Kim, meanwhile, believed that DAP, as part of the government, should set its priorities right by discussing more pressing issues concerning the people.
He also expressed concern that discussing the policy during the party congress would expose DAP to attacks from the opposition as it may be viewed as a sign of disrespect to the royals.
"Title or no title, Datuk or no Datuk, that is too small a matter.
"If he (Loke) thinks DAP elected representatives should not receive (honorific) titles, he should write to all the state rulers so that they do not offer them (honorific titles)," Teng said.
Teng received a 'Datukship' from the Sultan of Selangor back in 2010.
Former Klang member of parliament Charles Santiago said the decision on the policy should be made by the DAP Central Executive Committee, and not discussed at the congress.
He said rejecting honorific titles, particularly from the royals, could be construed as being disrespectful to the royal institution and would further fuel the perception that DAP is against the Malay and Muslim communities.
The policy, he said, worked well when DAP was the opposition. However, as part of the federal and state governments, it would be difficult for any of its elected representatives to decline such titles.
Recently appointed Sabah DAP deputy chairman Datuk Chan Foong Hin did not object to Loke's proposal and said he would leave it to the delegates to discuss the matter.
Other leaders and members, meanwhile, backed Loke's proposal.
Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong said DAP, as a democratic party, should leave the decision to its members.
DAP leaders, he said, should only accept such titles after retiring from public service.
"During our term, we focus on service. Only after serving can we justify whether we are worthy or not (of receiving the titles)," Khoo said.
Another CEC member, Lee Chin Chen, said the matter should not only be decided by party leaders but also by its delegates during the congress.
"If the rulers want to bestow upon them (honorific titles), it is difficult for us not to accept. However, accepting would violate party policy.
"That is why Loke agreed in the (CEC) meeting that we should let DAP members decide whether leaders currently serving in the government can accept it or not," Lee said.