Recipients of fake awards, titles liable to be prosecuted

Individuals who accept and use fake awards, titles and medals are liable to be prosecuted, the Dewan Rakyat was told.

Through the Offences Related to Awards Bill 2016, a person is prohibited from accepting any unrecognised awards and using it in any form within the country or abroad.

Clause 3 of the bill proposes that individuals found guilty of the offence will face imprisonment of not more than three years.

The bill was tabled for the first reading by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Azalina Othman Said in the Dewan Rakyat today to establish an offence related to the conferment of awards and honorary titles.

The act was being established due to rampant occurrences of bogus conferment of titles and insignia by those with no constitutional authority.

The government had taken such measures to curb the activities in recognition of the sovereign privilege of the Yang di-Pertua Agong, Malay rulers or the Yang di-Pertuan Negeri.

The bill also included provisions for offences relating to attending, promoting or taking part in unauthorised award investitures which could incur a fine of not more than RM10,000 or imprisonment for not exceeding three years or both.

The bill also mentioned the provision for the offence of creating unrecognised medals which could incur a fine of not more than RM10,000 or jail or both upon conviction.

- Bernama