Businessman held for allegedly cheating man over fake Datukship offer

A MAN in his 40s who styled himself as a Datuk was arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for allegedly defrauding another individual by promising to secure a state honour from Pahang in return for a payment.

According to sources, the suspect was detained around noon on Monday after presenting himself at the MACC office in Sabah to provide a statement.

Preliminary investigations revealed that in 2023, the suspect allegedly offered to help the complainant obtain a Datukship from Pahang, despite having no authority or legitimate means to do so. He is said to have dishonestly persuaded the individual to transfer approximately RM6,000, purportedly for the purchase of ceremonial regalia linked to the title conferment.

Confirming the arrest, Sabah MACC director Datuk S Karunanithy said the suspect was later released after posting RM5,000 of a RM10,000 bail amount set against him.

“The suspect will be charged at the Kota Kinabalu Special Corruption Court this Thursday under Section 16(a)(A) of the MACC Act 2009,” he said. - July 21, 2025