i-Dato brought members, business founders and industry players together on Saturday, October 10, at the Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur Hotel for its 2026 Networking and Community Interaction Session.
Held from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM, the session offered a relaxed setting for participants to connect, build professional relationships and explore opportunities for collaboration. i-DATO founder Datuk Seri Sabaruddin also attended.
The annual gathering allows the i-DATO community to reunite and strengthen relationships built over time.
He urged the public to be cautious when dealing with people whose claims to titles have not been verified, particularly in business dealings or when meeting someone for the first time.
A convincing appearance—including having a personal bodyguard—could lead people to assume someone genuinely holds a Datuk or Datuk Seri title, he said.
“There are too many people calling themselves Datuk nowadays. I’ve met someone in their 20s who was already using the title. I once met a person with a Tan Sri business card who was younger than me,” Sabaruddin said at an i-Dato members’ networking event.
He said i-Dato was established in 2016 to bring together people who hold official Datuk, Datuk Seri and Tan Sri titles, while providing a platform for business networking.
One of the platform’s original aims was to encourage the government to establish ways for the public to distinguish genuine titleholders from people falsely claiming honours, he said.
Applicants seeking membership must undergo verification through official channels, including the istiadat.gov.my website and relevant state authorities.
“We verify applicants through the system, the official government website and the State Secretary’s office. They must have a valid membership number as a Datuk,” he said.
Sabaruddin also urged media organisations to verify a person’s title before reporting on it, particularly when the person is linked to an alleged offence. Incorrectly using a title, he said, could damage the reputation of the institution that awarded it and mislead readers.
“If someone is accused of wrongdoing, check their title status first. If the person is accused of impersonating a Datuk, say that—don’t make it appear that they genuinely hold the title,” he said. “Don’t tarnish the title.”
He warned that some websites resemble official portals and could confuse the public, adding that title claims should be checked through recognised channels.
i-Dato now has more than 1,000 members and provides a networking platform for people from various sectors to explore business opportunities, Sabaruddin said. Membership in the titled category is restricted to people with recognised honours, while others may join as honorary members.
Saturday's session is designed to help participants build business and corporate relationships within the community, strengthen existing networks, and connect with professionals across a range of industries.
It also offers an informal space to exchange ideas, share experiences, and explore fresh perspectives that can support the growth and development of each participant’s business.
