Awards
Art Harun
Malaysia is a trending society. By that I mean our people love trending and following trends.
Not so long ago, the trend was to get a Datukship, Tan Sriship and Tunship.
Than, having such royal award was deemed insufficient. Perhaps because an ex-gate keeper of KTM could also get a Datukship. And so one must have some other distinguishing award or title.
So, the trend changed. Apart from the royal titles, one must also get a doctorate of some sorts. After some time, we could see many Datuks and Tan Sris suddenly being conferred Honorary Doctorate. Tun Abdullah, for example was conferred a Doctorate in Democracy.
That being so, the awardees’ social status is elevated one notch higher than everybody else’s. One is no more a mere mortal Datuk so and so but Datuk Doctor so and so. Sort of makes up for one’s deficiency in the crotch region, I suppose.
Then, when everybody was getting a doctorate of this that and the other, another trend stared. This new trend involves the grant of an award from some international bodies for some humanitarian works, charitable acts or whatever.
Thus we have Tun Dr Mahathir receiving – hahahah, sorry, I have to laugh – get this, the Human Right Award from, of all countries, Libya!
As you all can see, the people who gave the awards and the recipient are of course oblivious to the irony of it all. Libya, I mean, Muammar Gadafi giving a human rights award. And it was given to Dr Mahathir. That’s like the Myammar junta giving the Freedom and Liberty Award to Kim Il Sung. Or vice versa. Classic case of self gratification. In other word, classic case of wanking in public.
The latest is this. Rocky Bru’s posted that Datuk Seri Abu Kassim Mohamed, the Chief Commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has now been “listed down as the fourth most influential person in the world by Ethisphere.” It is also stated that “last year, Ethisphere listed Barack Obama as the 33rd most influential.”
Wow! Congratulations. The fourth most influential person on earth. Even Barrack Obama managed a 33rd. As listed by Ethisphere. I am sure the good Datuk Sri deserves his listing.
But, Ethis who?
My good friend, Kris of Kris’ Musings did some sleuthing. He found this article about Ethisphere. Go and read it. Made interesting reading.
Among others:
