Candidates for Pahang titles to undergo vetting, says Tengku Abdullah

PEKAN: Effective immediately, all individuals who will receive honorary titles from the state of Pahang must be vetted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and police.

In his decree today, Pahang regent Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah said this would be the new standard operating procedure (SOP) for the conferment of awards and titles in the state.

“Individuals who have been nominated to receive the awards must adhere to the SOP. I will not confer the awards until these people are vetted.

“There will also be a code of ethics that must be adhered to by the recipients of the titles and awards. So, there is no need for me to remind them to watch their conduct and actions,” he said.

Tengku Abdullah, who is also the Pahang crown prince, said this after the investiture ceremony held in conjunction with Sultan of Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah’s birthday celebration at Istana Abu Bakar here today.

He made it clear that candidates who were found to have committed an offence would not receive any titles of awards from the state.

Tengku Abdullah said recipients should watch their behaviour as they were duty-bound to protect the integrity of the titles bestowed upon them.

“They should accept the awards as recognition of their services to the people and support to the state. The Pahang royal institution wants to value the achievements and contributions made by the rakyat.”

Tengku Abdullah also said he would welcome recipients who wished to return their awards if they could not keep their conduct in check.

Meanwhile, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob described the honorary titles and awards from Pahang as an “ultimate gift” that should not be abused.

Adnan said the awards should not be taken for granted or considered as mere decoration.

“All recipients must honour the titles and awards as they have been entrusted to them.”

Translated from Berita Harian