ALOR SETAR Nov 19, (Bernama): Police have arrested a total of 19 individuals believed to be involved in a syndicate using and selling unrecognised state awards and titles.
Kedah police chief Kamarul Zaman Mamat said the suspects, all locals aged between 30 and 63, were detained at several locations in the state and in several other states.https://e33af4579088e9999ebbe16397cbc8b6.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
He said that the Kedah state secretary’s office lodged a complaint on Oct 5 on irresponsible individuals using the titles.
“Acting on the report, Kedah police conducted an operation and arrested 19 local men and women from various backgrounds,” he said in a statement here today.
Following the arrests, police confiscated accessories, documents and equipment used by the syndicate, including fake “Jemaah Dato’-Dato’ Negeri Kedah” membership cards and the state coat of arms.
Kamarul Zaman said the investigation found that the members of the syndicate, which had been active since 2015, approached individuals identified as elite and wealthy businessmen.
He said they offered the Kedah titles by asking for a payment believed to range from RM25,000 to RM103,000.
He said the case was being investigated under Section 13 of the Offences Relating to Awards Act 2017 (Act 787) and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588).
“People are advised not to fall victim to syndicates like this. If anyone receives an award without recognition, they can check with the Kedah state government through official channels,” he said.
– BERNAMA
