Seremban: A 50-year-old man appeared in the Magistrate's Court today, charged with using a fake 'Datuk' title from Negeri Sembilan. Ahmad Zailani Ali entered a plea of not guilty before Magistrate Nurul Saqinah Rosli.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zailani was accused of possessing three business cards bearing the fraudulent title "Datuk" within a car parked at the Seremban Gateway carpark around 11:30 am on November 25. The charge is filed under Section 3(1)(a) of the Emblems, Awards and Titles (Negeri Sembilan) Enactment 2017. If convicted, he could face a fine of up to RM500,000, a prison sentence not exceeding five years, or both.

The court set bail at RM3,000 with one surety, scheduling December 15 for the next mention, which will include the submission of documents and the appointment of a legal representative. Deputy Public Prosecutor Nik Nur 'Aqilah Syarfa Nik Zaidi is leading the prosecution, while lawyer Muhammad Adam Hassan from the National Legal Aid Foundation (YBGK) is representing the accused.