Several Pakatan Harapan lawmakers have expressed disagreement with a proposal by veteran newsman A Kadir Jasin that the coalition makes a ruling against its elected representatives accepting 'Datuk' title awards while in office.

In making the suggestion, Kadir lamented that the government was not only being sabotaged by certain civil servants who were still entrenched in the BN culture, but also by Harapan's own ministers due to their "ignorance, greed for power and lack of focus".

Sungai Buloh MP Sivarasa Rasiah said the time was not right to impose such a ruling as there were differences in opinion among the four component parties of Harapan on the issue of accepting honorary titles.

"There are four parties in Harapan and it's quite obvious that on this issue, there are different opinions, therefore resulting in different practices.

"At this stage, I do not think it is viable (to have a ruling) because of the clear range of views on the subject," the PKR lawmaker told Malaysiakini.

More than just their differing opinions, Sivarasa (photo) pointed out that the coalition has led several state governments over the past 10 years, prior to its victory at the federal level in the 14th general election in May.

"So things have happened in the 10 years," Sivarasa said in reference to honorary titles awarded to Harapan leaders.

"What has happened in the past... so if someone from either Penang, Selangor or Kedah has accepted a title five years ago, it also reflects your position on the issue.

"It is not what is happening now, it is also what has happened in the past 10 years," said Sivarasa, who described the matter as a "complicated" issue, but one which should be discussed by all parties.

Ruling must be communicated wisely

Similarly, Hang Tuah Jaya MP Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin said having such a ruling would be unviable without taking into consideration prerogatives of the head of states to give out awards and titles.

"If you are saying that there must be a ruling, then it must correspondingly be communicated as well to the heads of states because they are the ones giving the awards," he argued.

"For me, it is very difficult. For example, there are calls to give it (the titles) back. It is very difficult. And of course, in the case of Malacca when the Tuan Yang Terutama offers, there must be a way to say 'no' - but we don't have experience with that."

In conjunction with the 80th birthday of Malacca Governor Mohd Khalil Yaakob on Oct 13, five ministers received the Darjah Gemilang Seri Melaka award, which carries the "Datuk Seri" title.

They are Rural and Regional Development Minister Rina Harun, Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad, Entrepreneur Development Minister Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof, Domestic Trade, Consumerism and Cooperatives Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mujahid Yusof Rawa.

With these ministers, having been in office for just five months, critics questioned whether they deserved to be honoured with one of the country's highest titles.

Asked for comments, Amanah vice-president Hasanuddin Mohd Yunus pointed out the party's two recipients - Dzulkefly and Mujahid - had also previously contributed while being part of the opposition coalition.

"We (Amanah) have no clear guidelines on this matter because we leave it to our members to show respect to the people who honour them.

"And when they want to receive a title, they need to self-reflect on whether they truly deserve it or otherwise," Hasanuddin, the MP for Hulu Langat, said.

Among Harapan parties, DAP is the only one with a policy that stipulates awards should only be accepted upon retirement.