Council hands list of fake datuks to cops

MDDM president Datuk Awalan Abdul Aziz.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Council of Dato and Datuk Malaysia (MDDM) has handed details of individuals using fake titles and awards to the police.

Offenders face possible action under the Awards Act 2017 (Act 787) for using fake or unrecognised titles and awards to organise events and activities.

MDDM president Datuk Awalan Abdul Aziz said the council met with Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain at Bukit Aman recently.

ALSO READ: Council working to weed out fake Datuks

"We hope the police will support the move to ensure stricter... action in ensuring Act 787 is fully enforced nationwide," he said, adding that he was pleased with the meeting.

He said the list was compiled from various police reports lodged against suspects using fake titles.

Awalan said the council, which was registered in May last year, hoped to work with enforcement authorities to weed out those using fake titles to mislead the public.

ALSO READ: Govt to come down hard on fake datuks, says Wan Junaidi

"It is a serious offence as it amounts to cheating as well as an affront to our Rulers.

"The MDDM has received a lot of information from the public since its inception.

"Please continue to inform us and we will lodge police reports after we have conducted our own investigation.

"Some of these (offenders) have become very open and brazen. We hope they will cease their actions before the council and the authorities act against them," he said.

If found guilty, offenders under the Act face up to 20 years' jail and a fine of up to RM500,000.

The council delegation to Bukit Aman included vice-presidents Datuk Iskandar Abdul Malek and Datuk Seri Mohd Amim A Wahab, secretary-general Datuk Samson Maman, treasurer Datuk Michael Kang and exco member Datuk Abdul Razak Dawood.