Why did two Sabah DAP leaders accept Datuk titles against party policy?

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Sabah DAP Leaders Reprimanded for Accepting Datuk Titles Against Party Policy

Two elected representatives from Sabah DAP, Chan Foong Hin and Phoong Jin Zhe, have been strongly reprimanded by the party’s central executive committee (CEC) for accepting state awards that confer the “Datuk” title. This action directly contravened DAP's established party policy, which explicitly prohibits elected representatives from accepting any titles while in active service. The CEC's decision underscores the party's stance that elected officials should prioritise their public service duties and only be considered for such honours after concluding their terms.
Breach of Formalised Party Policy

The acceptance of the Panglima Gemilang Darjah Kinabalu (PGDK) award, which carries the “Datuk” title, by Chan Foong Hin and Phoong Jin Zhe on October 7 constituted a clear violation of DAP's formalised policy. This policy, which was put into writing in 2018, stipulates that elected representatives should decline titles bestowed during their tenure. The party's rationale, as reiterated by Secretary-General Anthony Loke, is to ensure elected officials remain focused on their mandate to serve the populace.
Reprimand by Central Executive Committee

Following their acceptance of the awards, the DAP CEC convened to deliberate on the matter. The committee determined that the actions of both Chan, the Kota Kinabalu Member of Parliament and Sabah DAP committee member, and Phoong, the Luyang assemblyman and state party secretary, were in direct violation of the party's internal regulations. Consequently, a strong reprimand was issued to both leaders for their transgression.
DAP's Stance on Awards for Elected Representatives

The DAP's policy regarding the acceptance of titles by its elected representatives has been a consistent point of emphasis. The party formalized this rule in 2018, following instances where several members had received state honours. The intention behind this policy is to maintain a clear separation between the responsibilities of public office and the conferment of honorific titles, with the latter being deemed appropriate only for individuals who have retired from active political service.

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Why did two Sabah DAP leaders accept Datuk titles against party policy?

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