Losing respect for the Datuk, Datuk Seri,...

A friend once said to me that whenever he comes across a Datuk or a person with a title, the first question that runs through his mind is how much did he have to pay for the title.

In the past Datukship and any titles were given to persons who had really served the community, who has been long involved in social work, etc... but today it is handed out to anyone, so much so if you were to take a stone and randomly throw at a Barisan function especially, then you have a high chance of hitting one of these "Datuks".

Another friend from UMNO complianed that when he goes out with his friends, he feels very small because everyone is a Datuk, and he has yet to get his Datukship yet. My respond was that he should count himself luckpy because 'your name still matter' - everyone else would be called Datuk ...but you will still be called by your name.

Some people demonstrate a lack of self confidence - and need so much a Datuk, Tun, Datuk Seri...even insist that friends and people call them now by their title or "YB"...so sad. Little respect for the name your parents gave you...

Ahmad bin Musa - now suddenly becomes Ahmad bin Datuk Musa... Wonder whether there really was a change made to the NRIC or Passport.

Now, we are handing over Datuks to foreign movie star - Shah Rukh Khan..and guess what? He never even showed the respect and courtesy to turn up and receive his award. That is how much Sharukh Khan thinks about that 'Datukship'

What next?

The conferment of Datukship on Bollywood heartthrob Shah Rukh Khan has stirred up a controversy. Politicians, professionals and the man on the street are hotly questioning the wisdom of the move.

Some commented that the actor did not deserve the award as “he hardly knows where Malacca is” and asked whether he had promoted Malacca in his songs and movies.

SMSes received by The Star also hit out at the move, saying such awards should be given to local artistes.

Bollywood Datuk: Shah Rukh Khan is the first movie star from India to be conferred a Datukship.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the decision to confer the title on the actor was suggested to Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob by former Finance Minister Tun Daim Zainuddin recently.

Daim said it was a means to promote Malacca and the actor had shot a movie scene here several years ago.

The movie One 2 ka 4 was shot at the A Famosa Resort in Alor Gajah in 2001.

“This resulted in many people visiting Malacca. The award was given in recognition of this,” Mohd Ali said after the investiture ceremony in conjunction with Khalil’s 70th birthday celebrations.

Shah Rukh Khan was given the Darjah Mulia Seri Melaka (DMSM) which carries the title Datuk.

Scores of fans gathered at the Dewan Seri where the investiture cere­­mony was held yesterday to catch a glimpse of the actor. He, however, did not attend the ceremony. - Star, 12/10/2008 - People just Khan believe it!