KUALA LUMPUR: DAP has yet to call for a central executive committee (CEC) meeting to discuss its two leaders accepting honorary awards, said the party advisor Tan Kok Wai.
He said it was clear that the duo's actions flouted the party's principles. However, he said a collective decision should be made by the CEC on the matter.
"DAP's secretary general (Anthony Loke) has announced that the case of (Datuk) Chan (Foong Hin) and (Datuk) Phoon (Jin Zhe) will be referred and discussed at the next CEC meeting.
"We shall remain patient until the party establishes a schedule for the next meeting," Tan told New Straits Times.
Tan reminded DAP members to adhere to the party's policy while keeping in mind the party's priority was to serve the rakyat.
"The party has set a clear guideline in 2018. Whoever is still in active in public service shall refrain from accepting honorary titles.
"Receiving such an award is not time-sensitive; it can come after we have completed our service. Let us be evaluated based on our overall performance in the later stages of our lives," Tan said.
Another DAP CEC member Tan Hong Pin said the rule is a long-standing one and he reminded all the party members to uphold the principle of "Service before Self".
"We should keenly avoid creating an environment where politicians compare and compete for Datukship or titles. If we do our job properly and leave the office with a positive contribution, then recognition will follow.
"Case in point is Lim Kit Siang. He could have gotten the title Tan Sri 30 years ago, but he did not, to set an example for all DAP members," said Tan, who is Bakri member of parliament.
Another CEC member Lee Chin Chen pointed out that the party has always adhered to the rule as serving the people is the bounden duty of every elected representative.
"For party members who hold public office, they must strictly abide by this provision and prove to the people that the DAP's struggle is for the people. Not for titles and honours.
"It can be seen that this tradition is something that DAP is proud of, and it is not a malicious manipulation as claimed by MCA," Lee said.
On Oct 7, Chan and Phoon both received the Panglima Gemilang Darjah Kinabalu (PGDK) which carries the title "Datuk" in conjunction with 70th birthday of Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin at Istana Seri Kinabalu in Sabah.
Chan had said that his acceptance of the title was out of respect to the decision by the Sabah government as both of his and Phoon's names were gazetted on the recipient's list without nominations.