Businessman fined RM200,000 for using fake Datuk title

JOHOR BARU: A 41-year-old businessman was fined RM200,000 by the Sessions Court here for using a fake Datuk title from Pahang.

Mohammad Shaiful Nizam Abu pleaded guilty to two counts of the offence, committed at a wellness centre of a resort in Senai, Kulai on Jan 27, 2021.

He was initially charged on April 28, 2022 where he pleaded not guilty to using a fake Datukship from Pahang without consent from the Sultan of Pahang and for displaying the state's royal emblem on his vehicle without written permission.

On Thursday (June 27), he pleaded guilty to alternative charges.

In the first alternative charge, Mohammad Shaiful Nizam admitted to fraudulently using a letter of endorsement for recipients of a degree, medal or award from Pahang Darul Makmur, believed to be a fake document, at the wellness centre at 11.30am on Jan 27, 2021.

The accused also admitted to the second alternative charge of displaying the Darjah Indera Mahkota Negeri Pahang emblem on his vehicle at the same time and place, which was also believed to be fake.

Both offences were framed under Section 471 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 465 of the same law, which provides an imprisonment of up to two years, a fine, or both upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutor Nurul Syafiqah Sha’ari asked for a heavier punishment as the incident had embarrassed the Pahang royal institution.

She also said that Mohammad Shaiful Nizam was arrested on the same day he was found to have used a document, emblem and name cards bearing the fake Datukship title.

"This is a serious offence and many people could have been deceived by him. He has made a mockery of the Pahang Sultan's award," she added.

Sessions Court judge Datuk Che Wan Zaidi Che Wan Ibrahim ordered Mohammad Shaiful Nizam to pay a fine of RM100,000 for each of the charges.

He paid the fine.

Mohammad Shaiful Nizam was represented by lawyer Jihad Syahida Nadia Zakaria and Abd Rahim Ali.