ACTS TO CURB SELLING OF AWARDS, TITLES, TAKE EFFECT
The Emblems and Names (Amendment) Act imposes a fine of RM20,000 or imprisonment not exceeding three years or both to the offender, as compared to a fine of RM1,000 prior to the amendment.
This is to reflect the seriousness of the offence of improper use of emblems, names and pictorial representations.
Azalina expressed hope that the Acts would also tackle the problem of fraud involving the public.
She advised the public to protect themselves from scams by checking the list of Federal and state awards at www.istiadat.gov.my, which is the Federal protocol website.
The bills were approved in Dewan Rakyat on Nov 23 last year and by the Dewan Negara on Dec 20.
It had been reported that unscrupulous people had solicited and accepted bribes in exchange for titles conferred.
In April, a Tan Sri was detained after the Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar spilled the beans on him.
The businessman allegedly offered a RM2 million bribe to the sultan for the royal to recommend a person's name for a “Tan Sri” title.
It is learnt that The Tan Sri had charged up to RM5 million selling the “Tan Sri” title to rich individuals desperate for honorific titles, which are often regarded as a passport to a higher social standing.
He had also touted the “Datuk Seri” title for RM2 million and the “Datuk” title for RM1 million.