Title

Judging from news and blog articles, many Malaysians are not happy that the Melaka government last week awarded Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan a Datuk-ship.

I only found the news and ensuing small controversy amusing.

Titles and the practice of awarding them is a feudal relic. In the past, the crown awarded titles along with pieces of land in exchange for allegiance and military service. Later on titles were also given to rich merchants in return for gold. In a democratic society such titles mean nothing. But of course, traditions die hard. Instead of opening an address with simply “Ladies and gentlemen,” we still have to mention the Tan Sris and Datuks first, lest any of those pompous asses get offended.

With regard to the actor, there are basically two complains. First, people are asking what he did to warrant the award. The official line is that he helped promoted the state by filming one of his movies there. I say we can all laugh at that one, but [1] in principle the heads of state can give titles to whoever they want and [2] the titles mean nothing. The second complain is that there are many more deserving Malaysians. To this I say [1] there will always be a more deserving someone and [2] again, the titles mean nothing.

See where I’m going with this?

Demand and supply tells us that too much supply of anything lowers its value. Our society is literally littered with Datuks. Yet, the top two awards of the land – Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (SP) and Panglima Gagah Berani (PGB) – don’t carry any titles.