KUALA LUMPUR: The fewer number of recipients for the 2024 federal awards, medals and honours is seen by constitutional experts as a positive step to preserve the value and dignity of the awards bestowed by the King.
Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Fathi Yusof said it reflected the thorough assessment and screening of recipients for the awards, hence making the awards, bestowed based on the power and discretion of the King, more prestigious.
“In this case, the King has the discretion to determine the number of recipients. In my opinion, limiting the number of honourees is beneficial as it enhances the prestige and significance of the awards and honours bestowed.
“If there are too many recipients, the title or award will be considered ordinary and not held in high esteem,” he told Bernama.
Last Saturday, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, at the investiture ceremony in conjunction with His Majesty’s official birthday celebration, conferred the 2024 federal awards, medals and honours to 116 recipients from a list of 2,335 nominees.According to the Grand Chamberlain of Istana Negara, Datuk Azuan Effendy Zairakithnaini, the number represents an 86% decrease from the 839 recipients of the federal awards, medals and honours last year.
Meanwhile, political analyst Mujibu Abd Muis sees the reduction in the number of awards as an approach to ensure that the federal awards are only given to those who are truly worthy to avoid incidences of abuse and manipulation as stated by Sultan Ibrahim in his speech.
“Perhaps there are several factors (for the small number of recipients), especially with the King himself expressing concern of recipients abusing the award,” he added.
Sultan Ibrahim, in his speech at the investiture ceremony, warned that he would withdraw the federal awards, medals and honours of recipients who commit crimes, tarnish the country’s image or are punished by the courts.
Another expert on the Federal Constitution, Prof Datuk Dr Shamrahayu Abdul Aziz, is of the view that the quality of the individual who is given the award is closely related to the position of the royal institution.
“The main thing is the trust given by His Majesty to the recipients who His Majesty deems as appropriate, with integrity and capable of shouldering the responsibility given to them,” she said.
