KUCHING: DAP Sri Aman yesterday submitted the name of ‘Encik’ Awang anak Raweng GC for consideration for a Datukship to be conferred to him during Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s Birthday this coming September. He has been nominated by the party to be included in the King’s Birthday Honours List.
Awang Raweng is the only Sarawakian and sole Malaysian to have been awarded Britain’s second highest bravery award, the George Cross, and since the formation of the Federation of Malaysia in September 1963, he has been regularly invited to attend the biennial Victoria Cross and George Cross Veterans Day gathering at Buckingham Palace in London.
It must be noted that he has been promised many times of a Datukship by the Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders but it has never materialised due to reasons unknown. Awang Raweng admits that he is also ignored in all State and Federal functions. For a fact, the practice in any Commonwealth country, the George Cross holder is honoured and revered, but alas in Malaysia, our Dayak hero is ignored.
How the State civil service and the BN leaders can be so ignorant on this manner of protocol is astounding, said a spokesman of the party yesterday when calling on Awang at his residence in Sri Aman.
“I would like for this Pakatan Harapan Government to take this opportunity to right the wrongs and show the way forward, by recognising and honouring our Dayak hero. We from DAP Sri Aman wish that this honour can be bestowed to him while he is still alive.
“A recommendation for Datukship title from His Majesty the Agong is a fair acknowledgement for his sacrifice for the his country, due recognition for his gallantry and a deserving title so he will forever be remembered throughout the Commonwealth, thus revered as a Dayak Hero, his place in (Bujang Berani) history finally respected. “I have written a letter to the Deputy Minister of Defence Liew Chin Tong and the State DAP Chairman Chong Chieng Jen on this matter,” said Leon Jimat Donald, DAP Sarawak Vice Chairman.
