MELAKA: State police have completed their investigations into 30 individuals for using fake honorary titles conferred by unrecognised sultanates locally as well as from neighbouring countries.

       A source told The Star that these individuals had claimed they were influential in society by convincing others to use their bogus titles that included “Datuk”, “Datuk Seri” and “Datuk Panglima’’.

       Investigations into the fake honorary titles that started last year found that a majority of these individuals were businessmen and contractors.

       The bogus honorary titles were used to solicit business or seek favours from the authorities as well as to deceive the public.

       The source also revealed that some of them received fake honorary titles from unrecognised sultanates in Indonesia and the Philippines, and also unknown “local monarchs”.

       It is learnt that the Melaka Commercial Crime Investigation Department has managed to cripple an illegal organisation known as the “Congregation of Datuks” (GDMM).

       GDMM has been active since 2020 and was led by a 43-year-old from Bangi, Selangor.

       The illegal organisation held an “investiture” ceremony at a leading hotel here on behalf of “Sultan Kerajaan Indragiri’’ in August 2020 which saw some 120 people being “conferred” honorary titles.

       When contacted, state department chief Supt E. Sundra Rajan said police had completed their probe into those using and selling fake honorary titles, and had crippled the operation.

       He said investigations were done meticulously as Melaka police were the first contingent to apply the Offences Relating to Awards 2017 (Act 787) to act against bogus “Datuks”.

       Under Act 787, those caught using fake honorific titles and official insignias face a jail term of up to five years, a fine of RM250,000, or both, upon conviction.

       Supt Sundra said recommendations were made for all the 30 individuals involved to face charges.

       “We expect them to be produced in courts to be charged soon,” he said.

       On GDMM, Supt Sundra said action was initiated after the recipients of the fake honorary titles attended the investiture ceremony in 2020 with attire which resembled that used in official ceremonies.

       He said police had also confiscated various paraphernalia relating to the fake Datukships, including certificates.

       “We are still in the midst of tracking down remaining members of GDMM who had obtained honorary titles through illegal means,” he added.

       He said GDMM was registered under the Companies Commission of Malaysia and its sole intention seemed to have been to profit from the sale of fake honorary titles.