Hello 'Sir'. who knighted you?
Saturday, 10 July 2010 19:52
IF the Bala saga, the Scorpene deals, Anwar's sodomy trials and our despicable by-elections are not enough to make Malaysia the centre of world-wide derision, Jeffrey Wong Su En, from Sabah, has to add to our country's woes with his puerile claims that he was conferred the Knight Grand Cross (GBE) by the Queen in conjunction with her recent birthday. The award entitles the recipient to carry the title "Sir". Is this a doctored photo? When several advertisements in local Chinese papers placed pictures of Wong receiving the award from the British monarch, he immediately became an overnight sensation. In a country whose citizens are obsessed with titles and other pretentious honorifics, this latest one has heaped more shame on Malaysians. Wong swiftly issued a press release to explain that the "knighthood" had nothing to do with the British awards but was issued by Papua New Guinea in conjunction with the Queen's 84th birthday celebrations. At the same time, the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, issued a statement in response to the e-mails of the media in Sabah: "We can confirm that we have no record of any honour having been conferred at any time by the British Government on Jeffery Wong Su En." The photo issued by "Sir Jeffrey" shows him standing proudly receiving the Knight Grand Cross, as the Queen pins it onto his breast. "Sir Jeffrey" would have done Malaysia proud, except that under closer scrutiny, the photo appears to be doctored with the game, given away, by the collar that is shown in the picture - it does not correspond with those worn at investitures. The other clue is that the investiture ceremonies for the 2010 Birthday Honours have not yet taken place. Jeffrey Wong's name does not appear in the Queen's Birthday Honours list but his actions have been politicised with opposition parties claiming he is insulting the good name of the Commonwealth. While the High Commission confirmed that Wong was not conferred with any honour, the DAP Youth also issued a statement that Wong was not the DAP Youth chief in Sabah and gave him a fortnight to explain his claim. He also faces expulsion from his party although his supporters were dissolving four party branches in the Tanjung Aru area in protest over the show cause letter. Meanwhile, Wong said that this was 'a personal matter and had nothing to do with the public' and that he would soon receive the relevant documents to furnish as proof. He had initially claimed that the award was in recognition for his contributions to international hu­­mani­tarian aid organisations and Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders), and was conferred by the Papua New Guinea government. Wong's timing couldn't have been worse. He has certainly piled on the bad publicity onto himself, his party and Malaysia. With the recent adverse attention given to the 'Datuk' awards, one wonders if it might have been cheaper for Wong to obtain one of these Datuks at the going rate, rather than being the subject of shame and ridicule. It seems that some people just don't care enough about public perceptions of tradition, pride and self-respect. BIG, BIG EGO, Kuala Lumpur Malu Malu Lau koi , are all DAP blokes like this ?