Many turn to using dubious titles

PETALING JAYA: Eight individuals, including personalities from the corporate and entertainment industries, had police reports lodged against them for allegedly using unrecognised and dubious titles.The Council of Dato and Datuk Malaysia (MDDM) secretary-general Datuk Samson Maman said nine reports were lodged, eight against the individuals for misusing Datuk, Datuk Seri and Tan Sri titles, and one collective report in general.

“These individuals even include the titles in their designations when appearing on televised talk shows.

“Based on our information and checks, their honorifics are actually fake,” he told reporters at the Puchong Jaya police station yesterday.

Samson said there were also business and prominent NGO personalities using unrecognised and dubious titles.

He said some individuals also included their “titles” in the records of the Companies Commission of Malaysia and the Registrar of Societies (ROS) to enhance their corporate status.

“What is the purpose of doing this when your name as per the identity card should suffice?” he said, adding that MDDM was also looking to enhance and review the Offences Relating to Awards Act (Act 787).

“We will tentatively hand over our proposals (to the respective authorities) later this week.”

He also said the Instagram profile @checkmytitle that highlighted those using fake honorifics included prominent Malaysian personalities.

Samson said the public should always double-check the official government portal at www.istiadat.gov.my to verify the authenticity of someone’s title.

“MDDM is not an enforcement body, but we want to create awareness that it is an offence for anyone to claim to be a Datuk, Datuk Seri or Tan Sri,” he said.

He warned people against buying the titles from certain parties.

“Only the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultans and governors are authorised to bestow such titles on deserving individuals.

“Malaysians need to uphold our nation’s honorifics as bestowed by royalty and state governors,” Samson said.

MDDM exco member Datuk Seri Michael Chong, who was also present, said the issue of people using unrecognised honorifics had been ongoing for a long time.

“The situation has now become serious with these fake Datuks arrested for scamming and cheating others,” said Chong, who is also the MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head.

He added that the cost of buying dubious titles ranged between RM60,000 and RM120,000.

“Based on the complaints received, we learnt that a Datuk title costs about RM60,000 and about RM100,000 for a Datuk Seri title.

“The complainants who came to us were even told they could pay in instalments,” he said.

Chong also said that they were made aware of a case in which the entire family had fake “Datukships”, with the youngest being in his twenties.

According to MDDM auditor Datuk Ashfar Ali, the dubious “Datuks” used the titles for business transactions such as multilevel marketing, selling housing schemes and others.

“Some want the title to uplift their social status or to be recognised by others,” he said.

Also present were MDDM exco members Datuk Abdul Razak Dawood, Datuk Josephine Anne and council member Datuk Tiong Yap Choon.