Johor Sultan withdraws 'Datuk' title of former UPEN Director

The Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Ismail Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, has withdrawn an award carrying the title 'Datuk' and a medal bestowed on former Johor State Economic Planning Unit director Hamsan Saringat.

The secretary of the Johor Council of the Royal Court, Datuk Abdul Rahim Ramli, said the Darjah Mahkota Johor Yang Amat Mulia Pangkat Kedua Datuk Paduka Mahkota Johor (DPMJ) and the Pingat Ibrahim Sultan Pangkat Kedua (PIS II) had been withdrawn with immediate effect.

"Hamsan bin Saringat cannot use the title 'Datuk'," he said in a statement issued Friday.

Abdul Rahim said the sultan had made the decision in accordance with Clause 7(2)(f) of the State Constitution 1895 and Clause 13 of the Rules and Regulations for Darjah Mahkota Johor Yang Amat Mulia.

Hamsan was awarded the DPMJ in 2005.