Due recognition
I witnessed my first ever, and probably the last, investiture ceremony this morning. It's in conjunction with the 70th birthday of the Governor of the Penang. The total list of award recipients was capped at 497, compared with the generous spread of 1,272 last year under the previous BN administration.
Of the recipients of the highest awards, I especially applauded five of them whom I know and admire from afar.
- Tun Abdul Hamid Haji Mohamad, the first Chief Justice from Penang, who heads the list as the sole recipient of the Darjah Utama Pangkuan Negeri (DUPN) which carries the title Datuk Seri Utama.
- Opposition Leader Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail who receives the Darjah Panglima Pangkuan Negeri (DPPN) which carries the title Datuk Seri. She stood by her husband through thick and thin of political upheaval that ran for years.
- Dr Ghulam Sarwar Yousof, adjunct professor at the Cuktural Centre, Universiti Malaya. He is an expert in Malay folk culture. I have fond memories of having him as my lecturer when I studied in USM, and for having him invite me to berbuka puasa at his house. He receives Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri (DSPN) with the title Dato'. It's a small world as his son is now my defence counsel against Kalimullah Masheerul Hassan et al over a NST-funded defamation suit.
- Nicol Ann David, who has been consistent in her professional pursuit including winning the coveted title as the youngest world woman’s squash champion in 2005, is awarded the Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri (DSPN). The made her the youngest person in Penang to be conferred a Datukship.
- Khoo Sin Aik, or better known as Dan E. Khoo. He is the anak Tanjung who executed the WCIT2008 with poise. A befitting datukship for him.
I cherish the recognition bestowed upon you.
Comments
I remember some long time ago... there was this discussion whether or not Ms. Nicol Ann David should be conferred a Datukship...
It was kinda big discussion that even Rocky Bru blogged about it...
And I remember some said... No, unless it's a federal datukship...
but then that was history... ;)
For a young woman, who consistently projects the name of Malaysia on the top of the top board of WSPA... and securing the title of World champion for almost 3 years except a little bit of intermittent disturbance... She truly deserves it...
So what if she's too young... :)
Posted by: bentoh![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 14, 2008 11:32 AM
finally a recognition for someone's deed, not dollars. we have a few titled persons here that makes you wonder what they have done for the other states to deserve it.
Posted by: kongkay![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 14, 2008 05:11 PM
Just what do you mean by "...I witnessed my first ever, and probably the last"?
JEFF OOI says: I sensed I was so irrelevant attending such investiture ceremony, except for this one. It took so much of my time which I could have spent online or walking in my constituency.
Posted by: Yumcious![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 14, 2008 10:13 PM
yea... Datuk Nicol!! thanks for blogging on Nicol, jeff!
Editor, Nicol David Online.
Posted by: wmsiew![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 14, 2008 10:31 PM
You started off, "I witnessed my first ever, and probably the last, investiture ceremony this morning."
And someone somewhere has misconstrued that to be you throwing in the towel.
Posted by: Observer![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 15, 2008 12:36 PM
I usually don't give a damn about these titles but Nicol David definitely deserves it. BTW some people are saying that she is the youngest Dato' or Datuk in Malaysia.
Posted by: cskok8![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 15, 2008 02:18 PM
Hi Jeff,
I find it very interesting for you to support so strongly of Dan E. Khoo for a Datukship based on his performance at WCIIT2008.
I do not know Dan E. Khoo and what is his khidmat to deserve a Datukship but I would like to comment on WCIT2008.
I attended WCIT2008 as a paying foreign delegate from Hong Kong and Singapore.
To me WCIT 2008 is a failure. First and foremost, the numbers of delegates were not a correct representation as many were local delegates who got free passes.
Secondly, the quality of most of the local industry leaders were at best mediocre as they used the platform to do sales job rather than to share vision of the future of IT. This was done to perfection by Intel.
It saddens me to see that all our Malaysian organizing committee was more interested in the publicity and hype rather than the quality of the event.
As for Mr. Dan E. Khoo, I would like to congratulate him but to merely praised him for his Datukship based on WCIT2008 is really do justice to other Datuks such Datuk Nicol Ann David
Posted by: KamuKamiKita![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 16, 2008 01:18 PM
Hi there YB Jeff. I am the Pharmacist in Nibong Tebal.
I think I know Khoo Sin Aik. We went to school in BM together way back in 1975, but left to another school in Penang when he was in form 2.After 32 years what i heard is now he is conferred Datuk. congratulation to him.
So Datuk Khoo Sin Aik hope you can remember SMSPP as we still remember you. We are still in contact with each other.........TAN BOON CHONG, KHOR TZE PING, LAW HOCK CHING, LIEW YEW LOOI as well as our seniors and juniors.
my email bctan123my@yahoo.com
Posted by: cry_pot![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 17, 2008 11:30 PM