Idris Haron: Some new Melaka excos demanding titles higher than datukships

MELAKA: Some Melaka executive councillors are becoming overzealous and demanding that the Yang-di Pertua Tun Dr Mohd Khalil Yaakob's office confer upon them titles higher than datukship before the Oct 13 investiture ceremony, claims state Opposition leader Datuk Seri Idris Haron.

The former chief minister from Umno said the reason he demanded answers from Chief Minister Adly Zahari was to uncover the  identities of these excos who were soliciting prestigious titles from the Melaka Palace.

"I am the former chief minister and I have an insight on what is happening. Some of these excos demanded Datuk Seri titles despite being in power for just six months after the palace agreed to confer them a datukship.

"What I was told is that the Palace wasn't happy and rescinded its decision to confer 'Datuk Wira' titles to selected excos at the eleventh hour," Idris said in an interview here on Saturday (Nov  17).

Idris said as the opposition chief, he needed to bring up the issues and discontentment at the grassroots level.

"We don't want to be seen as a lame ppposition front, and we need to do our part to maintain check and balance.

"I'm not saying that we were angels when administrating the state, but we had a stringent mechanism when it came to awarding honorary titles," he said.

In his reply, Adly told the assembly that the issue of certain excos who were supposed to be conferred the title "Datuk Wira" was manipulated by certain quarters in the social media.

"The conferment letters undersigned by me were edited and that had caused the confusion," he said, without elaborating on whether some excos did indeed demand higher titles.

Adly also told the assembly that State Housing, Local Government and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Tey Kok Kiew was the most qualified assemblyman to be honoured with a Datukship as his tenure at the assembly surpassed even Idris'.

"Even Melaka Industry, Trade and Investment committee chairman Datuk Mohd Rafiq Naizamohidden has served the state government for sometime and deserves the honorary title," he said.

Meanwhile, Idris also commented on the incompetence level and lack of knowledge of excos in answering questions.

This, he said, tarnished the image of Melaka as a developed state.

"Some of the excos seem not to understand the questions raised because of their poor command of language and vocabulary. Melaka assemblymen also need to master the august house's point of order for them to be more confident when debating," he said.

However, Idris said he took his hat off to the youngest Melaka exco, Kerk Chee Yee, and Health and Anti-Drugs committee chairman Low Chee Leong, who he described as "professional" and focused on their jobs.

He also praised Melaka Transport, Works and Public Amenities committee chairman Mohd Sofi Abdul Wahab and state Education and Higher-Learning committee chairman Nor Fendi Ahmad for their high oratory skills and ability to reply supplementary questions.

Idris added he was also impressed with Pantai Kundor assemblyman Datuk Nor Azman Hassan who fared well as a first-time opposition lawmaker.- Star