Opposition politicians have called for an inquiry into the country's datukship system after a minister claimed that the prestigious titles could be bought.

Law Minister Rais Yatim said it was common knowledge that the title "Datuk" could be bought through agents or middlemen in 10 of country's 13 states giving the holder a powerful advantage in business and politics.

The honours are supposed to be given to recognise exceptional achievements or services but confer no direct political power.

The king and state sultans award datukships and other honours each year on their birthdays on the recommendation of the state governments.

Many businessmen are said to be willing to pay up to RM50,000 for a datukship and over RM150,000 ringgit for more prestigious titles to elevate their status in business dealings.

Awards to 30-year-olds

Rais's remarks followed newspaper reports criticising the high number of datukships being conferred each year, including to individuals in their 30s. Last year, 6,314 people received honours, of a total population of about 25 million, of which 531 were made datuks.

"Throw stones into a crowd and half of those you hit are likely to be datuks," the Malay-language Mingguan Malaysia said in an editorial.

The arrest of some datuks for criminal activities and claims that some were involved with Chinese triads have eroded the awards' value for a public expected to treat the holders with respect.

The allegations have also embarrassed new Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who has pledged to crack down on corruption after taking over from Mahathir Mohamad, who retired on Oct 31 after 22 years in power.

Abdullah himself holds the title "Datuk Seri," which is a rank higher than "Datuk".

Upon his retirement, Mahathir and his wife were awarded the country's highest title of "Tun", of which only 25 can be given at any one time.

Total mockery

Lim Kit Siang, chairman of the opposition Democratic Action Party, called for a commission of inquiry into the nomination and selection procedures to regain the public's respect for the system.

"It will be a national tragedy, making a total mockery of the start of Abdullah's new premiership and his pledge for a clean, incorruptible and modest administration if there is no follow-up action to the adverse publicity about the titles-for-sale racket," he said.

The scandal has also angered some of the country's genuine datuks.

"I am very disappointed and a little bit embarassed," said Megat Najmuddin Khas, who was a datuk for years before being made a datuk seri earlier this year.

Megat, who heads the Malaysian Institute of Corporate Governance, said he was unaware of the scam, did not believe it to be widespread but called for swift action.

"When you have a title, people look up to you. It's a crying shame that those who are unworthy can become a datuk by foul means. It belittles the award and there is no meaning if every Tom, Dick or Harry can get it just by paying for it."

'National disgrace'

The New Sunday Times , in an editorial at the weekend, said it was a "national disgrace that the datukship has become such a blatantly marketable commodity."

Several state governments have denied the sale of titles but the newspaper urged state leaders not to "feign ignorance" of the "high-class racket in which too many people get too much recognition for too little done".

The paper called for prosecution of buyers and sellers, for errant recipients to be stripped of their awards and for a commission to draw up clear selection criteria. - AFP