The public is forbidden from using any specified emblem, specified name or its imitations for the purpose of any trade, business, calling or profession, said Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador.
In a conversation with selected media organisations at his office in Bukit Aman yesterday, Abdul Hamid confirmed police had acted on a July 1 report highlighting the sale of medals, car stickers, and decals bearing the Jata Negara and other honorific titles issued by state rulers, on various e-commerce platforms.
"The public is cautioned against producing any specified emblems for the purpose of trade or having in their possession any specified emblems to be sold.
"Those found guilty can be punished by up to three years imprisonment or fine not exceeding RM20,000, or both," he said in a prepared statement initially intended for distribution at his press conference earlier yesterday.
According to the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1963, the specified emblems include orders, insignias, medals, badges and decorations instituted by statutes of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Other specified emblems forbidden for public use include those of Interpol and Bank Negara.
Malaysiakini's checks earlier this week found the items available for purchase online include badges and car stickers bearing the Jata Negara, from as low as RM14 per piece.
Besides the national coat of arms, there were scores of other items related to government enforcement agencies - from the Prisons Department to the Immigration Department, People's Volunteer Corps' (Rela), and the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
On being notified about the illegality, at least two of the online platforms - Shopee Malaysia and Lazada - took immediate remedial measures to remove some of the items.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) deputy director Mior Faridalathrash Wahid had previously warned against the misuse of national symbols in relation to a probe on the book "Rebirth: Reformasi, Resistance" which featured an image that resembled the Jata Negara on its cover. - Mkini
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