Just call me Mr CM

Most people, especially politicians and senior government officials with the titles 'Tun', 'Tan Sri', Datuk Seri', 'Datuk' and others usually love protocols, and would hate those who don't address them by their 'gelaran'.

In official functions, its normal for the emcee and speakers to take longer time in their introduction speech, thus dragging the event into 'extra time'.

However, Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem chose to be a little different, and I believe many would respect and appreciate him for that.

KUCHING: Breaking away from protocol, Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem said he was more than willing to be addressed as just CM or even Adenan instead of the long list of titles that preceded his name.
Speaking at the winding up debate at the state legislative assembly, he explained, “It is very tedious for (one) speaker after another to address me Yang Amat Berhomat Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr Haji Adenan Satem at official functions.
“Just call me CM, cukuplah. So please call me CM or Adenan, though the protocol people may not like that.”
He also said “beloved” was a term of endearment that only his wife and family used when referring to him.
Amid peals of laughter from state lawmakers and the press, the CM said, “Calling me ‘beloved’ is reserved for my wife, children and grandchildren. I feel embarrassed to be called beloved.”
He was referring to his deputy, Alfred Jabu Numpang who often addressed him as “beloved chief minister”.
Adenan also touched on the subject of congratulatory messages placed in newspapers and appealed to the business community, members of the public and political parties to refrain from doing so on the occasion of his birthday or anniversary as CM.
“Please spend the money on charities,” Malay Mail Online quoted him as saying.

When Tun Dr Mahathir was prime minister, it was a habit for me to address him as 'Mr Prime Minister' during press conference, and he sometimes smile at me as a sign of 'approval', instead of 'Datuk Seri' as practiced by other journalists (till the present time).

Maybe I was enticed at how foreign journalists address their leaders as 'Mr President' and 'Mr Prime Minister'. And what's wrong with that?

While we do observe some protocols, I think Adenan's approach could win him and the state government more support.

I LIKE! I LIKE! I LIKE!