Don’t mess with me, Guan Eng tells DAP leaders who accepted titles

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.

KUALA LUMPUR: DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng today issued a stern warning to DAP’s elected representatives and councillors who accepted titles and awards.

He threatened to take stern action against those who do.

In a fiery speech, Lim said these DAP representatives should not challenge the party or leadership.

“Some people think that if they become a state Exco member, they can become a Datuk; they feel it’s their right. That is not right.

“Don’t mess with me. Regardless of your position, I will take action. You were elected to represent the rakyat, not yourself,” he said when officiating the 2018 KL DAP convention.

Present was DAP chairman Tan Kok Wai and MPs from the Federal Territories, including Lim Lip Eng (Kepong), Fong Kui Lun (Bukit Bintang) and Hannah Yeoh (Segambut).

Lim’s warning comes a week after Berita Harian reported him as describing Melaka DAP chief Tey Kok Kiew as being “stubborn” for failing to apologise over his acceptance of a “datukship”.

According to the Malay daily, Lim said two other leaders who accepted their titles had apologised for not consulting the party first, namely Bemban assemblyperson Wong Fort Pin and Sandakan MP Stephen Wong.

Earlier this month, the DAP Central Executive Committee (CEC) reminded DAP elected representatives and local councillors not to accept titles and awards during their period of active political service.

This came after Melaka and Sabah DAP leaders were awarded state titles, which carry the title “Datuk”.

Today, Lim said he would instruct that disciplinary action be taken against those who accepted these titles.

“Don’t say I didn’t give a warning.”

Tey had previously requested the party’s central leadership to inform the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and state rulers of its decision to prohibit elected representatives and councillors from accepting titles and awards while in active political service.

This, he said, was to prevent any controversy from arising in the near future on the conferment of titles.-FMT