Johor to enforce new enactment on regalia from July 1

ISKANDAR PUTERI: Come July 1, those found using the Johor state and royal emblems, titles and awards without permission from the State Secretary’s office and the Johor Royal Department could be fined up to RM500,000 or jailed.

State Health, Environment, Education and Information Committee chairman Datuk Ayub Rahmat said prior permission must be obtained, as stated under the Johor Emblem, Titles and Awards (prevention and improper) Enactment.

The new regulation, passed in the state assembly on March 9, was to ensure that no one misused the state crests and logos.

The enactment came into effect on May 2, but the state had introduced a 60-day grace period to allow people a chance to adapt to the new rules, he added.

Enforcement would start from July 1, he said, adding that action would then be taken against those who use the emblems, crests and logos without approval from the two offices.

“Those who want to use the state crest will need to make an application at least two months earlier. Approval has to be obtained three months in advance for the usage of royal emblems, titles and awards.

“This will cover the printing, production, exhibition or display of the crests and emblems for trade, business, social and private use,” he told a press conference yesterday.

He said the 92 governmental agencies in the state were allowed to use the crests, emblems and logos.

Schools, non-governmental agencies and the private sector are urged to obtain prior approval.

Those found flouting the regulation can be fined between RM250,000 and RM500,000 or jailed between one and five years.

Ayub said the enactment also disallowed the use of titles and awards that had been stripped and revoked, or the use of items that carry the logos.

It is also an offence to attend events that confer unauthorised awards and titles, he said.

“Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar has decreed for the state crests, logos and royal emblems to be fully managed by the State Secretary and Johor Royal Department,” he added.

The enactment, he said, was to further prevent the abuses in the usage of these logos, titles and awards.

Visit www.johor.gov.my for information and obtain the application form under the SUK Johor Office (Management Service Department) section.