KOTA TINGGI, Oct 10 — A 50-year-old unemployed man was sentenced to two years of prison by the Sessions Court here today after he pleaded guilty to using a false “Datuk Seri” title five years ago.
Imran Tolot made the guilty confession as soon as the charge was read out by the court interpreter in front of Judge Hayda Faridzal Abu Hasan.
According to the charge, the father of three used the Datuk Seri title from Pahang without receiving any award that carries the said title from the state for business purposes without written permission from His Majesty the Sultan of Pahang.
The offence took place on April 19, 2018 at about 11am at Hotel Amansari Bandar Penawar near here.
For that, the accused was charged under Section 3(1)(c) of the Pahang Emblems, Titles and Awards (Prevention of Improper Use) Enactment 2017 which can be punished under Section 3(3) of the same enactment read together with Section 17 of the Offences Relating to Awards Act 2017.
Those found guilty can be punished with a fine between RM250,000 and RM500,000 or imprisonment for up to five years or both.
The prosecution was represented by Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhammad Irsyad Mardi, while the accused was unrepresented.
Imran pleaded with the court for a minimum sentence as he has three children who are still schooling, in addition to suffering from diabetes and a condition with his nerves.
He appealed to the court not to impose a fine as he did not have any money due to being unemployed in addition to requesting for a minimum prison sentence.
Muhammad Irsyad said the offence committed by the accused by misusing the fake title has tarnished the good name of the Pahang royal institution and if not prevented the same offence may be repeated by others.
Hayda Faridzal then sentenced Imran to two years imprisonment starting from the date of his arrest.
Meanwhile, Kota Tinggi police deputy chief Deputy Superintendent Nik Azaham Nik Aziz said the man was arrested last Wednesday after he was believed to be involved in a non-existent contract to supply food at the Petronas Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development (RAPID) project in Pengerang.
“Investigations revealed that the victims were required to make a RM100,000 payment in order to secure the contract to supply food.
“While deceiving the victim, the suspect introduced himself as a 'Datuk Seri' to convince his victims that the food contract could bring good returns,” he said in a statement today.
Nik Azaham said police confiscated a Pahang royalty member loyalty card in the name of the suspect, a mobile phone and some documents during the arrest.
He said checks showed that the suspect was not bestowed any “Datuk Seri” title by any state royal institution.
“The police would like to advise the public to always be vigilant before accepting any business offers that promise good profits and also dealing with unknown individuals with a title or award,” he said.
The public may check a person’s title or award authenticity at the official government portal at www.istiadat.gov.my.
