KUALA LUMPUR – A businessman has been charged in the sessions court here with using a fake “Datuk Seri” title to seal a business deal two years ago.
Hazimi Abd Hamid was accused of using the fake title, which he claimed to have received from the Sultan of Pahang, in a letter of intent for a research project on ketum development.
The charge also states that he sent the letter to an individual on April 1, 2022, at a condominium in Mont Kiara, here.
It also states that Hazimi had used a fake identification card that included the “Datuk Seri” title, as well as other false items such as a letter confirming the title award and the title necklace (kalung gelaran datuk seri).
For this, the 54-year-old was charged under Section 3(1)(a) of the Pahang Emblems, Titles and Awards (Prevention of Improper Use) enactment of 2017, which carries a fine of between RM250,000 and RM500,000 or a one- to five-year jail term if found guilty.
He pleaded not guilty before judge Azrul Darus, who granted him RM30,000 bail and fixed February 5 for mention.
Deputy public prosecutor Muhammad Amir Hanif Ahijman initially asked the court to order RM80,000 in bail for the accused.
However, Hazimi’s lawyer, Datuk Hasnal Rezua Merican, pleaded for a lower amount of RM20,000 bail, seeing that the offence charge against the accused is a victimless offence. – January 5, 2023