NEWS: Need for online records to prove authenticity of Datukships

PETALING JAYA: Records of state titles such as Datukships should be made accessible online so that the public can verify the authenticity of the holders’ claims.

This can help reduce the number of bogus Datuks who erode the integrity of the holders of genuine titles.

National Council of Justices of Peace secretary-general Datuk M. Ramalin-gam said the recipients must be fully documented with their full names, IC numbers, current profession and the states the awards were from.

“There will be less instances of fake title-holders. Bogus Datuks must be brought to book or the integrity of the titles will be diluted,” he said.

Currently, individual state secretariats keep their own records of the titles awarded by the respective state palaces, with Selangor being the only state that allows the public to check the list of recipients online.

Selangor State Secretary Datuk Ramli Mahmud said a list made public would reduce the likelihood of impersonation taking place.

“We cannot tell other states what to do. But we have taken the lead by having a website to list the recipients of the titles in Selangor,” he said.

Transparency International Malaysia president Datuk Paul Low said the selection criteria should be made tighter so that the awards remain meaningful and noteworthy.

“These titles should not be awarded to people simply for doing their jobs. Only those who have sacrificed their time and resources to society should be considered,” he said.

Low said that while an official website with a list was a good idea, it would be better to tackle the selection process of candidates.

Malacca Council of Datuks vice-president Datuk Tan Cheng Swee said any national online directory would have to follow the protocols of the various state palaces because not all Datukships were the same and some were no longer in use.

However, its chairman Tan Sri Ahmad Nordin Md Amin said an individual’s title was a personal matter and should be kept confidential.

“But if we receive a report that a person has falsely claimed that he is a Datuk, then I can refer to the list and report the matter to police for action,” he said.