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Rais should ask  the Cabinet to  adopt  a new Federal government policy to strip criminals of their titles, starting with the former Inspector-General of Police, Rahim Noor Media Statement by Lim Kit Siang (Petaling Jaya,  Saturday): On Monday, the Minister in the Prime Minsiter’s Department, Datuk Dr. Rais Yatim proposed that Rulers should strip individuals of awards and titles if they have been convicted of criminal offences to maintain the honour of the awards and titles.  Suggesting that Justices of Peace who are convicted of criminal offences should be stripped of their titles, he said Datuks, Datuk Seris and Tan Sris should also be stripped of their titles if they have committed criminal offences.  He said a specific and detailed system should also be put in place in States to monitor the number of awards conferred and related matters, including the conduct of those who had been conferred titles.  Lauding  the Sultan of Selangor for his recent action in withdrawing state awards, Rais said:  “I think he is one of the few Rulers, if not the only Ruler, who has done this to give respect and honour to the titles.  Being the cream of our society, we ought to show responsibility and decorum, and if one is involved in criminal matters and convicted, he should be stripped of his title.  “I don’t want to offend the Rulers, (but) I think it’s time they take stock of this. There are too many Datuks to be comfortable with nowadays, and it’s very easy to get them.”  It is sad that Rais’ proposal to ensure  that the public respect the various honours, titles and awards in the country had not been met by any response from any quarter whatsoever.  DAP supports Rais’ proposal and suggests that he bring it to the Cabinet on Wednesday  for the Federal Government to provide leadership by example to the State governments and adopt a  new policy to strip criminals of their titles, starting with the former Inspector-General of Police, Rahim Noor, who disgraced not only the Royal Malaysian Police Force but the country with his criminal assault of former deputy prime minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, to an inch of his life in September 1999. (3/5/2003) * Lim Kit Siang, DAP National Chairman