KOTA KINABALU: Kota Kinabalu MP Chan Foong Hin said he is prepared to accept the consequences following his acceptance of the Panglima Gemilang Darjah Kinabalu (PGDK) award that carries the title Datuk from the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sabah.
Chan, who is Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister, said he was aware that it has been against DAP policy since 2018 that only retired DAP members are allowed to accept honours given out by the heads of state and national governments.
The PGDK award was given to Chan in conjunction with the governor’s birthday celebration.
Chan and Sabah DAP secretary Phoong Jin Zhe, who is State Industrial and Entrepreneur Development Minister, were among those conferred the Datuk title by the governor at Istana Kinabalu here yesterday.
Speaking to reporters after carrying out an inspection on the availability of rice at a supermarket here, Chan explained his difficulty in turning down the award.
“I am fully aware of the current party’s policy that has not changed since 2018 for only retirees being entitled to receive state or national awards.
“But I received a phone call from the Istana on Thursday who asked me to attend the rehearsal at the Istana on Friday.
“So I felt that it wasn’t easy or right to refuse it since I am a Sabahan. This offer is from the governor and the state government, so I receive it with good faith,” said Chan, who added that he and Phoong went together and, at one point, were thinking of withdrawing, but by then, their names were already in the honours list gazette.
“The names are already in the gazette, so we feel that we need to respect the decision and recommendation by the Sabah state government.
“I will submit myself to the party and leave it to them to decide on this issue,” he added.
On whether Phoong would also leave the matter to the party, Chan said the question was more appropriate to be directed at Phoong.
