KUANTAN: An associate member of an anti-crime watchdog, who is sought by the police, had allegedly posed as a "Datuk" to secure a higher position in the association.
Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman said today that the individual, in his late 40s, had been fraudulently using a "Datuk" title for more than a year.
"A national crime prevention organisation where the individual serves as an associate member had lodged a report last week.
"Checks with the Pahang State Secretary's office revealed that the individual has never been conferred the 'Darjah Indera Mahkota Pahang (DIMP)', which carries the title 'Datuk'.
"Police were informed that the individual had used the 'Datuk' title to influence other members to appoint him to a higher position within the association.
"The individual has no other criminal records," he told reporters at the state police headquarters here.
Yahaya said the individual was still in the country and police were tracking his whereabouts.
He said those found fraudulently using any award of the state could be charged under Section 3(1)(a) of the Pahang Emblems, Titles and Awards (Prevention of Improper Use) Enactment 2017.
They face a fine of between RM250,000 and RM500,000, or a jail term of not less than a year and not more than five years, or both upon conviction.
On Aug 30, Yahaya said police were tracking down the individual after the association lodged a police report and provided several documents relating to the matter.