I read with interest the news report that Queen Elizabeth II has revoked the MBE awarded to former world boxing champion 'Prince' Naseem Hamed as a result of his 15-month prison sentence for dangerous driving.

I wonder how many of our Datuks and Tan Sris have had their titles revoked when they fell foul with the law. Not many, I am sure because there are even some who have spent time in jail and have since been released with their titles intact. A few even got pardoned.

Our royalty and state governors must be stringent in awarding any person with a title or honorific. Almost every year, I see many businessmen and politicians being conferred with Datukships.

I wonder what is the criteria to be met in order to be bestowed with such honours. Perhaps the media could have a write-up on the recipients of state and federal titles listing their contributions to society and other good deeds for the public good that warrants such a title.

Sadly, the ordinary man in the street who champions the rights of the people on various social issues or those promoting awareness on the destruction of our environment via an NGO or a residents' association looking after the welfare of a community are all often overlooked for such awards.

As for politicians, I feel they should not be conferred with any titles while they are still active in politics. They can be rewarded once they have retired, for services rendered to the people and country.

They should follow the lead of our former deputy prime minister the late Tun Ghafar Baba and the late Tan Sri Mohd Khir Johari who had refused such titles when they were still active in politics.