KUALA LUMPUR: The Council of Datuk-Datuk Malaysia (MDDM) has lodged a police report against a social media influencer over the alleged use of fake honorific titles.
MDDM president Datuk Samson David Maman said the matter came to the council’s attention last Monday (Nov 17) after several members contacted them to seek clarification.
“There is a very prominent influencer with a massive following. She initially used the title DPW (Datuk Panglima Wilayah), which does not exist.
“After we highlighted this, she changed it to PMW (Panglima Mahkota Wilayah), which is an official award,” he said when met outside the Ampang Jaya district police headquarters on Wednesday.
He added that the influencer had claimed the award was bestowed by a foundation in recognition of her charitable contributions.
“It is an offence for anyone to use such an award unless it has been properly conferred by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the Rulers or the state Governors.
“Any action that implies otherwise is not only unlawful but also an affront to Malaysia’s system of honour, our national institutions, and the dignity of our Royal Houses,” he said.
Samson said that following public scrutiny, the influencer further claimed that her award involved a royal princess and maintained that it was originally given in 2020.
“If this is indeed true, we believe she may be a victim of scammers and should come forward to identify those responsible in order to protect her own reputation,” he said.
He said the police report was lodged to “safeguard the integrity of the country’s honourific system”.
“Datukship titles cannot, and must not, be commercialised, misused or self-appointed under any circumstances,” he added.
