Photo shows the Kuching Court Complex. — Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING (May 19): A 49-year-old man was charged in the Magistrate’s Court here yesterday with using a fake ‘Dato’ title.
No plea was recorded from Riben Rinah, who was represented by lawyers Bartholomew Lopez and Wejok Tomik.
Kuching Lower Court assistant registrar Sataia Kombi, who presided over the case as magistrate, set June 21 for re-mention and allowed the accused to be released on bail of RM1,500 with two local sureties.
Riben is accused of using the fake ‘Dato’ title as well as the honorific title of an unrecognised foreign award.
He allegedly committed the offence in August 2019 at a company located at Jalan Tun Abdul Rahman Yaakub here.
It is understood that the complainant in this case, who knows the accused, had lodged a police report after discovering there were no records of the accused being a recipient of the award or title.
The complainant was said to have emailed the Prime Minister’s Department and the Chief Minister’s Department for confirmation of the ‘Dato’ title used by the accused but found no record.
The accused was charged under Section 12(2) of the Offences Relating to Awards Act 2017 which provides for imprisonment not exceeding three years, upon conviction.
The prosecution was conducted by prosecuting officer ASP Rogayah Rosli.