KUALA LUMPUR: Investigations are being carried out on several personalities, including high profile businessmen who falsely use Datuk titles.

       The newly set up Council of Dato and Datuk Malaysia (MDDM) has started checking on these fake "Datuks" following complaints from the public.

       Its secretary-general Datuk Samson Maman said MDDM has detected several discrepancies as these businessmen's names were not in any official registrars although they brazenly claimed they were Datuks.

       He said it was also an offence for anyone to put crests and stickers of foreign Datuk councils on cars, as they were not recognised.

       Samson said that in one case, the businessman had suddenly removed his Datuk title from his Facebook account after being approached.

       “But the media has referred to him as a Datuk for years,” he said and this figure also personally used the title on his promotional materials.

       MDDM president Datuk Awalan Abdul Aziz said it was an offence for anyone to claim to bear these titles under Act 787 2017 when they were not, adding it included those who received them from foreign countries which are not recognised in Malaysia under the Act.

       “We will be submitting our reports to the relevant authorities including the police,” he said.

       Awalan said the MDDM would be working with the media to weed out these Datuk and Dato imposters.

       “We take these very seriously, as these titles are accorded by the Malay Rulers and are our nation's honorifics.

       “Those who violate the laws and continue to violate them must be prepared to face the consequences of their actions,” he said.