Sultan Ibrahim: Johor awards cannot be bought

JOHOR BARU: Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has reminded outof-state people against being cheated by individuals who claim that the state’s awards can be bought.

He said the state honours were valuable and no one could nominate a name except with his personal consent.

“But, if there are people who are willing to be cheated, it’s up to them. Don’t blame me.”

Sultan Ibrahim said the awards were conferred based on an individual’s merit and loyalty to the ruler and the state government.

He hoped the Johor Emblems, Titles and Awards (Prevention of Improper Use) Enactment 2017, which was approved at the Johor State Legislative Assembly recently, would be implemented immediately.

He said this was to curb the abuse of the state emblem by irresponsible groups to deceive people.

The sultan hoped that with the existence of the regulation, there would no longer be any case of cheating involving the awards.

He said the emblem was a symbol of the state’s sovereignty, which must be protected, not abused and sold, at will.

The sultan said anyone making, selling, using or displaying prohibited symbols, such as the Johor coat of arms or the crown, would be penalised or fined a minimum of RM250,000, or face a year’s jail.

“For individuals using titles or awards that they are not entitled to or had been revoked, they will face a minimum fine of RM100,000 or a year’s jail.”

On another issue, Sultan Ibrahim called on the media to be more responsible in conveying news.

He said news should be based on facts, instead of rumours or viral stories.

He made the call because the media, at times, liked to exaggerate sensational stories or pit one leader against another to attract readers’ attention for profit.

“This only creates confusion or hatred among the people, which will lead to disunity.” Bernama