We wish to welcome the Terengganu Menteri Besar, Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman in joining the ranks of the ordinary people, the rakyat. Today, it was reported, that the Sultan has stripped Ahmad Razif of the state titles, which were bestowed upon him. Ahmad Razif is not the first nor last to be “dis-robed”.
We can offer some reassuring words like “Don’t worry, be happy. It is not that bad being a rakyat biasa”.
In Malaysia, we can purchase fake degrees and falsify records, especially in corruption scandals. So why not datukships. There is no smoke without fire, and alarm bells should ring, especially when the datuk involved is neither nor a contributor to the state.
Allegations about the “Datuk-for-sale” scam, have resurfaced. While the initial payment may be OK, the purchasers know that datukships are bought on hire purchase and there will be regular recurring payments.
Perhaps, Ahmad Razif does not realise why some Malaysians, loathe some datuks.
Datuks are becoming “two-a-penny”. Takde value!
Here are ten reasons why some Datuks are loathed:
Quality. The awards and medals should be given to an individual, based on their record of service to the Ruler and the state government. One social cynic said, “I am a regular race-goer and gambler. In this trade, you know who the baddies are. So, when a gang leader is awarded a datukship, you wonder what is going on.”
Reward for incompetency. An award is bestowed on a person because of his character and worthiness. Many civil servants and members of the Cabinet are datuks. Many of them are also highly incompetent, and some are allegedly involved in high-level corruption. The rakyat will wonder if some datukships are given to reward bad behaviour.
Preferential treatment. The datuk treats his award, as most people treat their degrees. A degree can land you a better job and better pay. Arrogant datuks use the award to demand preferential treatment. They get upgraded, on flights, even though they are booked in economy. If their house is burgled, the police are at the scene of the crime within minutes. The worst abuses of state occurs, when a datuk is shown into the office of the director of a government department, but others must wait for several hours longer, despite having a firm appointment.
Petulance. Some datuks, who travel overseas, get visibly upset when service providers fail to give them preferential treatment. Their moans usually start with, “Do you know who I am…?” The best put down was when a customer representative said, “Your passport says that your name is Nordin. Is that correct, Sir?”
Worse reputations. If you think datuks are bad, try meeting some of the datins.
Sycophants. Observe the behaviour of some of them, in the company of datuks. They grovel, and kiss the hand of the datuk, whilst running around to attend to his every need, like teenagers in love. They make others cringe with their shameless sycophancy. They have no self-respect.
Name dropping. Some datuks name drop, to get their own way. They will say that they have the approval of the sultan, or a minister, to do something highly controversial, like demolishing a heritage building for their own new development, or cutting down trees, in a protected forest area. Officials are afraid to question them; they do not want to jeopardise their own periok nasi (rice bowl).
Status. Some datuks are insecure, and crave attention. They love it when people prostrate themselves before them. Datuks with a roving eye, imagine that attractive, young women, are spellbound by their charm and physical attributes. Gold-diggers see datuks as cash registers. When they look in a mirror, the datuks see Brad Pitt staring back at them.
Reverse-roles. Women who have been made datuks consign their husbands to a life of ridicule. Behind their backs, the men are called ‘datin’.
All Malaysians have their favourite ‘datuk’. These men are found in every household. Your granddad is the only ‘datuk’ who did not have to purchase his title.
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