A police report has been lodged against a senior figure of a prominent property development company over claims that the individual had been awarded the title ‘Tan Sri’.
Muhammad Iqbal Zahanuddin, private secretary to the Pahang Sultan, lodged the report in Kuantan on April 7 after receiving a poster featuring the individual and a claim that the person had been awarded the Panglima Setia Mahkota (PSM) by Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, during his tenure as Malaysia’s 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
The PSM is a Federal award that carries the title ‘Tan Sri’. It is limited to 1,000 recipients, excluding foreigners who receive it as an honorary award.
Al-Sultan Abdullah, the Pahang Ruler, was installed as Malaysia’s King on July 30, 2019. His reign ended on Jan 30, 2024.
In the police report which was sighted by Twentytwo13, Muhammad Iqbal claimed the Ceremonial and International Conference Secretariat Division (BIUPA) had confirmed that the individual in question had not been awarded the title. He added that Al-Sultan Abdullah had denied conferring the award on the individual.
“The act is a serious fraud that can affect the credibility of the royal institution and confuse the public. It also has the potential to be used for personal or commercial gain, which is unlawful,” the report stated.
“The person in question has uploaded announcements of receiving the title and uses the title on social media,” it added.
Officials from the Pahang palace confirmed a police report has been lodged.
Checks by Twentytwo13 revealed that the individual’s name was not listed on BIUPA’s website. However, the person is referred to as ‘Tan Sri’ on the property developer’s official website.
Twentytwo13 has reached out to the individual’s office and is awaiting a response over the matter.
