Businessman charged with using fake Pahang Datuk Seri title

KUALA LUMPUR: A health product businessman pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here on Friday (Jan 5) to a charge of using a fake Datuk Seri title, two years ago.

Hazimi Abd Hamid, 54, was accused of issuing a "Letter of Intent for Research Collaboration on a Project on Ketum Product Development" to Azizul Aznan Ab Azid, 44, for business purposes by using the title of Datuk Seri and posing as a recipient of the S.S.A.P award from the Sultan of Pahang with a fake accompanying letter of award, identification card, and emblems.

He was alleged to have committed the offence at a condominium in Mont Kiara here on April 1, 2022.

He was charged under Section 3(1)(a) of the Pahang Emblems, Titles, and Awards (Prevention of Improper Use) (Enactment 18) 2017, which is punishable by a fine of between RM250,000 and RM500,000 or imprisonment of between one year and five years or both, upon conviction.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhammad Amir Hannif Ahijman offered bail at RM80,000 with one surety.

However, Hazimi's lawyer Datuk Hasnal Rezua Merican appealed for a lesser sum on the basis that his client had four children and did not pose a flight risk.

Judge Azrul Darus set bail at RM30,000 with one surety and fixed Feb 5 for the case mention.- Bernama