KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 3 (Bernama) -- The Council of Datuk Dato' Malaysia (MDDM) announced today that it has recently received complaints about three individuals, including a woman, using fake “Tan Sri” titles.
MDDM secretary-general, Datuk Samson David Maman, confirmed the matter, adding that all three individuals are Malaysians.
“We received complaints through emails, phone calls, text messages, and photos,” he said during a press conference after attending the Forum on Act 787 – Preserving the Dignity of Honorary Titles, here today.
He added that the council deals with an average of 30 cases each month involving fraudulent honorary titles such as 'Datuk', 'Datuk Seri', and 'Tan Sri'.
“Almost every day, I receive reports from people asking for help. We guide them on what to do, and one of the steps is to file a police report as the complainant,” he said.
"If you don’t want to file a report, then don’t come to us, because we can’t take action on your behalf. However, we will fully support you once you make the report," said Samson.
Meanwhile, Bernama Chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, who is also a former vice president of MDDM, urged the public to file formal police reports to facilitate investigations into the misuse of honorary titles.
“We hope that the police and the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) will prioritise and expedite such cases as a lesson to the culprits. These awards are conferred by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultans, and rulers. We must protect these titles and ensure that no one abuses or scams the system," he said.
In his speech, MDDM president Datuk Awalan Abdul Aziz said the council has submitted a proposal for improvements and amendments to Act 787 to the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Legal and Institutional Reform) and the Attorney-General, aimed at enhancing the effectiveness and enforcement of the Act.
"Among the proposals is to increase fines and penalties for certain offences under the Act as a deterrent against the misuse of honorary titles. This would also enable specific legal cases to be escalated to higher courts,” he said.
-- BERNAMA
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