KUALA LUMPUR: The Council of Datuk Dato' Malaysia (MDDM) receives an average of 30 complaints over individuals using fake honorary titles each month.
As such, it wants the government to review the penalties under the Offences Relating to Awards Act 2017, better known as Act 787, which it believes are insufficient to serve as a deterrent.
MDDM secretary-general Datuk Samson David Maman said the council receives such complaints almost daily via email, calls and text messages.
"We get reports almost every day from people seeking help on this. We guide them on what needs to be done.
"The complainant has to make a police report," he said at a press conference following the MDDM's forum, 'Act 787 Forum, Preserving The Sanctity of Awards' today.
He said once a report is lodged, MDDM will assist by providing necessary support.
MDDM president Datuk Awalan Abdul Aziz said in most cases, fake honorary titles are used for ill-intentioned purposes.
He said MDDM, earlier this year, had submitted a proposal to the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reforms), as well as to the Attorney-General's Chambers to amend Act 787.
He said they had proposed a review of the Act to empower it by strengthening certain clauses, especially regarding its coverage to ensure it extends throughout the country.
"Although we already have Act 787, we must also urge the states to adopt or implement specific elements to support the enforcement and execution of the Act," Awalan said.
Awalan said in terms of strengthening the Act, MDDM is looking at the investigative powers granted to the police.
"Currently, the Act is somewhat unclear on the police's authority to conduct investigations and take necessary action.
"Additionally, we have noted that certain offences under this Act carry relatively low fines or penalties. To create a deterrent, we must increase the penalties, including heavier fines, imprisonment and other forms of punishment.
"We must ensure that these penalties are sufficient to instil fear and discourage individuals from misusing unrecognised and fake titles," he said.
The use of titles and honours in Malaysia is governed by two Acts, namely Act 787 and the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1963, also known as Act 414.
Under Act 787, those found guilty of using unrecognised awards face a fine of RM20,000 or imprisonment not exceeding three years or both.
Those soliciting the awards or trying to sell fake awards will face up to 20 years in jail.
Those falsely claiming to be conferred a title by the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong can be sentenced to up to three years upon conviction.
Meanwhile, in the forum, Inspector-General of Police Secretariat (Legal) head Senior Assistant Commissioner Abd Rahman Atan said 13 cases involving Act 787 and Act 414 were investigated by the Criminal Investigation Department between 2022 and 2024.
He said in the same period, 49 cases were investigated by the Commercial Crime Investigation Department for offences under Act 787 that also involved other elements, such as fraud using honorary titles.