National Body Mooted To Weed Out Fake Datukships
Real Datuks will be given a special card to prove their legitimacy.
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The Council of Federal Datuks in Malaysia wants to set up a national body to determine those who actually have the title and weed out the fakes.
Based on reports from The Star, the body will be registered with the Registrar of Societies (ROS) through the Home Ministry.
The Council’s President Datuk Awalan Abdul Aziz, said to the media that the request was made by Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.
Legitimate titleholders will be given a special card by the new body who would also serve as an umbrella for states which do not have a representative body.
Only Melaka, Sabah, Penang, Kedah and Kelantan have their own associations. This [national body] will help attract legitimate Datuks at the federal and state levels to register as a member. What is crucial is the verification process, where those registered with the body will be considered legitimate titleholders.
The Council of Federal Datuks of Malaysia (MDPM) President Datuk Awalan Abdul Aziz via The Star
Under the Emblems and Names (Amendment) Act, imposters can face a fine of RM20,000 or jail time of not exceeding three years or both, while those guilty of forging fake awards will look at 20 years in jail under the Awards Act 2017.
READ MORE: How To Differentiate A Datuk From A Dato’? We Explain All The Titles
Datukship a click away
In a separate report by The Star, it seems that some individuals have been purchasing the “Datuk” title online with groups offering fake titles online via social media platforms and e-commerce platforms.
They quoted MDPM’s Exco Member Datuk Samson David Maman who said a complaint was received on Sunday in which an “association” was offering online services for members to obtain watikah (credentials), medals, car emblems and other paraphernalia of a particular state for a fee.
It was reported that the association was charging members RM80,000 for a “Datukship” and RM120,000 for a “Datuk Seri” title.
Those who were scammed by fake Datuks were advised by the Council to lodge a police report.
Meanwhile, its Vice-President Datuk Abdul Razak Dawood said that there’s a trend looming among some youths who are willing to pay dubious sources just to get hands on a title which is mainly used for business purposes and instant recognition.
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