Zambry: Perak has rejected applicants nominated for Datukship

IPOH: Perak has rejected applicants nominated for Datukship due to bad record.
Not wanting to disclose the numbers, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir (pix) said the applications were rejected after they were found involved in undesirable activities.
"We check with the police, MACC and Insolvency Department. It's only after their feedback, we accept or reject the applicants," he told reporters after chairing the weekly exco meeting here today.
He was asked to comment on MACC chief commissioner Datuk Dzulkifli Ahmad's statement that the commission is willing to screen applicants of awards nationwide to ensure only eligible individuals are conferred the awards.
According to Dzulkifli currently screening is carried out if a request is made.
His comment came about after recent incidents where recipients of Datuk and Datuk Seri titles were in secret society activities.
On Feb 8, Bukit Aman's Criminal Investigation Department Director Datuk Seri Mohmad Salleh had said since 2015, a Datuk Seri and five Datuks were among the 114 members of secret societies who have been detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) in Ops Cantas.
Zambry said there is a committee that vets the applicants in three stages before final approval is given.
"The state has received strict orders from the Sultan on this matter ... that is why Perak will only have a small number of recipients for Datukship titles and other awards," he added.