Police have started investigations into the sale of medals, car stickers, and decals bearing the national coat of arms (Jata Negara) and other honorific titles issued by state rulers.
Following the outcry over a book banned for alleged misrepresentation of the Jata Negara, checks by Malaysiakini showed that there is a widespread sale of items bearing the national coat of arms on online shopping platforms.
The items include badges and car stickers bearing the Jata Negara, from as low as RM14 per piece. A metal badge goes for RM80 but was found to be sold at a 25 percent discount.
A report was lodged last week by a member of the public at the Kelana Jaya police station after he discovered the sale. Besides the Jata Negara, 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.
Malaysiakini has identified three online platforms which were facilitating the sale of those items. On being notified about the illegality, Shoppee Malaysia took immediate remedial measures to remove the items.
Its managing director Ian Ho said in a statement that, "Government-related items such as badges, insignia, or uniforms are included on Shopee’s 'Prohibited and Restricted Items'."
"We have removed the relevant listings and banned the sellers from our platform. We have also taken pre-emptive measures to blacklist any related keywords to intercept new attempts to sell such items on our platform."
On Lazada, over 20 separate listings were found on its platform including a Jata Negara metal card badge which retailed for RM80. It was on offer with a 25 percent discount. There was even a “VVIP” Jata Negara car sticker for RM14.
The platform also offered badges bearing the Darjah Indera Mahkota Pahang (D.I.M.P) title for RM988. There was also an instalment plan for six payments of RM164.67. The Sri Sultan Ahmad Shah Pahang (S.S.A.P) badge went for just RM688 and it came with an instalment plan too.
In a statement to Malaysiakini, Lazada said measures were taken to remove such items from being sold, as part of its commitment to being a safe and reliable e-commerce platform.
"The sale of products that violate the law is strictly prohibited on the Lazada platform. We have internal measures in place to identify and remove such product listings to ensure compliance," it said.
"Our team also works in close consultation with the MCMC and local authorities to make sure necessary actions are taken against uncooperative sellers.
"We are monitoring the situation closely, and have already taken the appropriate steps to remove and prevent potential listings like these on the platform," it added.
Meanwhile, similar items were offered for sale on Singapore-based online shopping platform Carousell.
The sale listings were dated over a year ago, and the seller's status was marked as "not responsive".
One of its posts for sale of a badge carrying a Kedah "Datukship" award came with this qualifier:
"Kindly PM me your number, we will respond to your enquiries via Whatsapp. We will explain/teach you how to properly use the emblems in Malaysia."
On a listing for an award from Johor, the post said (reproduced verbatim):
“Specifically awarded to foreigner. In fact this is the only plate which won't raise any suspicions of fake Datuk when placed on foreign cars. (Jack Chan was also awarded this plate)
SGD$800 Fixed Price, Used Authentic JPJ set, as good as new!
*Listed price for Car Emblems only! NO DATUKSHIP!
* This emblem is the best/a must-have for all Singaporeans who travel across to Johor frequently.
*Guarantee plus chop no polis will touch you! (sic)
The seller's page provided no contact details but claimed that the items sold were “JPJ Approved” and “Malaysia Polis Approved”. They were being sold at S$800 (RM2,450) each.
No further details were available on the seller who asked potential customers with enquiries regarding the “Malaysia/state D.I.MP Datuk car emblems” to leave their contact number.
The Emblems and Names Act 1963 prohibits the sale of any items bearing federal or state emblems without express permission from the government.
Section 3(1)(a) Act reads:
"(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any law for the time being in force, no person shall, except with the written permission of the Minister.
"(a) use any specified name or specified emblem, or any colourable imitation thereof, for the purpose of any trade, business, calling or profession."
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 which resembled the Jata Negara on its cover. - Mkini
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