To YB or not to YB

Surrendran has correctly highlighted the issue of honourifics amongst our elected representatives.

Yes, we refer to our elected representatives as YB: short for Yang Berhormat. The English equivalent would be The Honourable MP or representative of a given constituency.

These honourifics is in itself not wrong. It is a title of reference and respect for the people, not so much for the person.

What I find amusing and at times rather nonsensical how each of these representative would call each other YB in the Parliament. Yes, they all have the same name. It is not surprising that occasionally one would also forget the real given name of the person.

I would propose that the protocol in the House would be to refer to each other with the name of their constituency instead of YB.

The honourific YB is a formal salutation and restricted to use in formal events. In a formal event, the MC would refer to the elected representative as YB. Similarly, in dealings with government agencies, the YB is there as an elected representative and thus should be refered to as such. It is respecting the choice of the people more than just the person.

The elected representative should not and must not expect the constituents to refer to them as YB. However, in many instances it is the constituents themselves that uses the term as a form of social respect and there is nothing wrong with it.

The representative need not go around correcting his constituents. However the YB can sometimes remind his constituents to call him his name instead of YB.

If a representative is constantly on the ground and close to the constituents, it would be quite natural to be seen as a friend and be refered to as such, ie with his name.

Our elected representative should not feel overly egoistic and glow when refered to as YB by the man on the street. Many times, it is also meant to be a sarcastic term of reference for YB can also mean Yang Bodoh, Yang Biadap.

Thus lets not turn this matter into a storm in a tea cup. To YB or not to YB, let's just leave it to the individuals.

It is much more important that the elected representatives carry out the duties and serving the constituency.

By doing so than they deserve to be refered to as YB:  Yang Berkhidmat.