It is time, perhaps now for all ordinary Malaysians to send a clear and distinct message to all the MPs and Assemlymen that they are just an employee of every ordinary Malaysian.
Not a dignitary.
By ceasing to address all of them as YB.
Why?
YB promotes an elitist mindset in all these politicians, who in actual fact are a servant of the public.
They did not do anything to earn and be called YB.
The moment the public starts and continued with the practice of addressing them as YB, it actually gave these MPs and Assemblymen an `elevated feeling’ which soon, will make them think they are above the ordinary rakyat, the people who put them there.
End this practice.
They are elected to be representative by the ordinary rakyat tasked with shaping policy and managing public funds.
Holding an MP or ADUN (State Assemblyman) position is a serious professional responsibility—not a lifestyle or status symbol.
Ordinary Malaysians needs to ground and constantly remind the MPs and Assemblymen that their actual duties are debating laws and carry out work for the people and not expecting royal-like treatment during grassroots events.
Becoming an MP or Assemblymen does not grant them entitlement to privileges.
Becoming an MP or Assemblymen mean they offer themselves, voluntarily, to serve ordinary Malaysians and not the other way.
In the US, the ordinary citizens do not use "Your Honorable" in calling out their elected representatives. They address elected officials by their earned titles (e.g., "Senator," "Congressman," or "Representative") or simply as "Mr./Ms." followed by their last name.
In the UK, Canada, Australia, and India, the title is used in official correspondence, but constituents speaking directly to their Member of Parliament (MP) typically use "Mr.", "Mrs.", or "Sir/Madam".
Discarding the practice of calling them YB helps dismantle the patronizing, "politicians voter subject" mentality.
It is also to bring these MPs and Assemblymen back to earth from their lofty perch that all of them have been occupying so comfortably all these years.
And have them start and behave really like a servant and NOT a master over the rakyat.
The ordinary rakyat are the true dignitaries and should be treated that way by all the MPs and Assemblymen.
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