a day ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Fake Datuk titles: Undang Luak Johol sounds legal warning
KUALA LUMPUR: The office of the Johol ruling chief (Balai Undang Luak Johol) said today that three individuals were found misusing false Datukship titles, supported by forged documents and fake palace membership cards.
The administration confirmed that all credentials associated with them were fabricated and hold no legal standing.
"The conferment of state honours, orders, and medals can only be granted by the Yang dipertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, during His Majesty's official birthday celebration at Istana Besar Seri Menanti," it said in a letter seen by NST.
The office also said that state honours can only be conferred by Tuanku Muhriz during official ceremonies held at Istana Besar Seri Menanti.
It said it would pursue legal action against those found misusing its name, emblems, or titles without consent.
"Any event held outside the palace — be it in hotels or halls — is invalid," Datuk Lembaga Tiang Balai YM Datuk Raja Balang Hamzah Limin told reporters.
He added that since the appointment of the 15th Undang Luak (chieftan), Datuk Muhammad Abdullah, in 2016, no titles have been issued by the office.
"We do not issue terms like 'Putri' or 'royal adopted child' — even the Undang's own children do not use such titles," he said.
The Council of Federal Datuks (MDPM) and the Council of Datuk Dato' Malaysia (MDDM) said the misuse of royal titles is on the rise and poses a serious threat to the credibility of Malaysia's honours system.
MDDM legal advisor Datuk Rajpal Singh said the individuals violated multiple laws, including the Emblems and Names Act 1963, the Emblems and Uniforms Act 2017, and provisions of the Penal Code related to forgery.
MDPM president Datuk Alvin Tee said more such cases are likely, while MDDM president Datuk Samson Maman urged the National Registration Department to investigate possible misuse of government-issued IDs.
