Shah Rukh Khan to be Datuk on Dec 6

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is set to be conferred the Malaysian title of ‘Datuk’, akin to the British knighthood, on Dec 6 and he is expected to receive the honour in traditional Malaysian attire. The traditional Malaysian black costume with a waistband, a songkok and a black cap is the official attire to receive the award from the Malaccan royal chief, Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob.

The actor will receive his Darjah Mulia Seri Melaka award at a ceremony at 10 a m at Dewan Seri Negri, Ayer Keroh, in the presence of 1,000 invited guests, The Star newspaper said on Tuesday. The actor, who was to have received the award on Saturday, had to reschedule his trip due to his tight working schedule. He is scheduled to be in Malaysia for three days.

State Secretary Omar Kaseh confirmed that Shah Rukh would be in Malacca for a day.

The actor is immensely popular among Malaysians and had shot the film one 2 ka 4 and a song sequence from his blockbuster Don in Malacca.

His being conferred the Datukship had stirred up much controversy with many questioning whether he really deserves it. Critics had asked what Shah Rukh had done for Malaysia to deserve a Datukship. They also took up cudgels on behalf of local artistes.

Malaccan authorities, however, say Shah Rukh’s shoot in Malaysia had benefitted the country immensely, giving it global publicity without any money being spent. Indian films are popular in Malaysia that has an estimated 2.6 million ethnic Indians.

SRK's Datuk title kicks up row in Malaysia

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan may be hugely popular in Malaysia but his being conferred the title of 'Datuk', akin to the British knighthood, has stirred up a controversy with many questioning whether he really deserves it. "Politicians, professionals and the man on the street are hotly questioning the wisdom of the move," The Star newspaper said.

Adverse comments include one that says "he hardly knows where Malacca is" and "what has he done to promote Malacca in his songs and movies?". "SMSs received by The Star also hit out at the move, demanding that such awards be given to local artistes," the paper said.

Shah Rukh did not attend the ceremony on Saturday at which the Sultan of Malacca, Yang di Pertua Negri Tun Mohammed Khalil Yakoub, conferred the title on a number of dignitaries on his 70th birthday. Former Malaysian finance minister Daim Zainuddin, who had suggested to Yakoub that Khan be given the title, said the move was a way to promote Malacca.

Defending his recommendation, Zainuddin pointed out that Shah Rukh had shot the movie One 2 Ka 4 at the Famosa Resort in Alor Gajah in 2001. "This resulted in many people visiting Malacca. The award was given in recognition of this," said Malacca Chief Minister Mohammed Ali Rustam.

Shah Rukh was given the Darjah Mulia Seri Melaka (DMSM), which carries the title Datuk that can be used by the recipient as a prefix to the name. The recipient's wife can also call herself 'Datin'. Although a fan of the Indian actor, businesswoman Fatimah Tahir said she was "stunned" to hear that he was being conferred Datukship.

"I thought the award is given to those who have contributed to Malacca's development. I wonder whether Shah Rukh knows where Malacca is," Tahir, 40, was quoted as saying. "I am happy for him but does he even know he is getting the award?" asked lawyer Nizam Bashir.Lim Kit Siang, advisor of the opposition Democratic Action Party (DAP), also pitched for the local artistes, three of whom got a lower honour that does not carry any title.

Lim's take was that if Khan deserved to be a Datuk, so did Hollywood stars Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta-Jones, who shot the movie Entrapment in the country 1999.