Jail, fine for abusing emblems
ISKANDAR PUTERI: Those guilty of using the Johor royal emblems or other royal symbols without permission may face a jail term of up to five years or fine up to RM500,000 under the recently gazetted Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Enactment 2017.
Johor Health, Environment, Education and Information Committee chairman Datuk Ayub Rahmat said using royal emblems without permission would become an offence when the enactment came into effect from July 1.
He said the enactment, which saw amendments being made to a previouslyenforced state enactment, would protect the good name of the Johor royal institution and end the use of fake royal emblems.
“Those using fake Johor royal emblems, titles and ranks could be fined between RM250,000 and RM500,000 or be punishable by imprisonment of between one and five years, upon conviction.
“The enactment provides stricter punishments to people who misuse state emblems, titles and awards conferred by the sultan of Johor, except in cases where they obtained written consent from the ruler.
“It includes using emblems, titles and awards or even its replicas for personal, work-related or commercial use, including showcasing or pasting emblems, titles and awards or its replicas on any vehicle,” Ayub said yesterday.
The enactment was passed at the state assembly on March 9 and was gazetted on March 16. A Johor government circular was later issued, which stated that the enactment would take effect on May 2.
Ayub said the state government gave a 60-day cooling off period until July 1 to allow for individuals who had been using used the royal emblems and symbols to obtain permission from the Johor Royal Department.
Ayub said the same enactment contained clauses that made it mandatory to obtain permission from the State Secretary’s Office to use the Johor state coat of arms symbol.
Those convicted of misusing the state coat of arms could be fined between RM100,000 to RM250,000 or jailed between one to three years.
Ayub said the enactment contained punishment for people who use revoked titles or awards, and attended unauthorised investiture ceremonies or those who produced and were in possession of equipment that made unrecognised emblems.
Those convicted of these offences could be fined between RM100,000 and RM250,000 or jailed between one and three years.