NOW incarcerated sixth Malaysian premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak and former eighth prime minister (PM) Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin seem to be netizens’ top choice for their royal titles to be withdrawn as part of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim King of Malaysia’s effort to preserve the dignity of Federal titles and awards.

This comes about after the 17^th Yang di-Pertuan Agong (YDPA) warned that he has no qualms taking such action against recipients involved in criminal activities, who defame the country or are convicted by the courts.

“If a recipient defames the country’s name or commits a crime and has been punished by the court, then all awards and medals of honour will be revoked. Goodbye to it,” Bernama quoted Sultan Ibrahim as saying at the Investiture ceremony at Istana Negara yesterday (Sept 7) to confer the 2024 Federal awards, medals and honours in conjunction with his official birthday.

“Accordingly, I’ve instructed the government to check the list of prisoners in all prisons whereby their honorary titles will be withdrawn. This is only for Federal titles and those who are from Federal Territories; titles from other states will not be affected.”

Compared to Perikatan Nasional chairman Muhyiddin who has no court conviction albeit a few pending cases, Najib meets Sultan Ibrahims definition of “prisoner” in that he is now undergoing a six-year jail sentence in the Kajang Prison (halved from 12 years by the Pardons Board on Feb 2) for his role in a 1MDB (1Malaysia Development Bhd) scandal.

Nevertheless, Muhyiddin who is also the Bersatu president has his fair share of ‘nominations’, presumably from pro-Madani government backers.

In a broader picture, one netizen aptly puts it that state rulers, too, should emulate Sultan Ibrahim’s stringent measure to revoke titles/awards from those guilty of being involved in any criminal or illegal activity.

“There are many that do not deserve the title as they have not contributed to the society and nation,” observed the netizen who commented on Malaysiakini.

“It is common knowledge that many have paid for the titles they have received. Also, there are some who are connected to gangsters or are leaders of gangs. Due to these allegations, the respect for these titles and title holders have been drastically slipping southwards.”

As another commenter sarcastically remarked, “if what the Agong said is true, 90% of all Datuks and Tan Sris will lose their titles”. - Sept 8, 2024 

https://focusmalaysia.my/najib-muhyiddin-top-netizens-list-of-nominees-to-get-federal-titles-revoked-under-agongs-latest-proposal/