Why was a businessman fined RM20,000 for misusing royal titles?

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Businessman Fined RM20,000 for Misusing Kelantanese Royal Title and Emblem

A businessman, Tengku Iskandar Tengku Ahmad, was fined a total of RM20,000, with the alternative of three months' imprisonment, after being found guilty of four charges related to the misuse of the Kelantanese Royal title and the Kerabat Diraja Long Yunus emblem. The offences involved using the royal title without consent and improperly utilising the emblem in official documentation and conferment of titles.
Misuse of Royal Title "Yang Maha Mulia"

Tengku Iskandar was convicted on two counts of using the title "Yang Maha Mulia" without the Sultan of Kelantan's permission. These instances occurred when he signed a letter of attorney and a purported Royal letter of authority. The letter of authority was specifically used to confer an honourific title to another businessman, Kok Wai Peng, without the requisite written consent from the Sultan. Each of these offences, prosecuted under Section 3(1)(a) of the Kelantan Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Enactment 1977, carried a fine of RM1,000 or six months' imprisonment.
Improper Use of Kerabat Diraja Long Yunus Emblem

Furthermore, Tengku Iskandar was found guilty on two counts of misusing the Kerabat Diraja Long Yunus emblem. In one instance, he represented the association to sign a letter of authority, bearing the emblem as its letterhead, to permit an individual to manage a Mercedes-Benz vehicle. In another instance, he used the emblem on a Royal letter of authority to confer the title ‘Seri Panglima Perkasa’ with ‘Dato’ Seri Diraja’ to Kok Wai Peng. These actions were particularly egregious as the Long Yunus Association had been de-registered by the Registrar of Societies in Kelantan on February 11, 2011, rendering any official representation or use of its emblem improper.
Dates and Locations of Offences

The offences were committed on two separate occasions. One set of misuses of the emblem and title occurred on August 31, 2014, at DU Tyre Sdn in Damansara Utama. The other instances took place between August 7, 2013, at Istana Dusun Green in Pasir Mas, Kelantan. The prosecution highlighted the seriousness of these acts, arguing for the maximum sentence due to the offences directly impacting the Royal Household.
Sentencing and Defence Arguments

The Sessions Court imposed fines totalling RM9,000 for each of the two counts of misusing the emblem, with an alternative of one-year imprisonment for each. This falls under Section 48(1) of the Societies Act 1966, which permits a fine of up to RM15,000 or up to five years' jail, or both. While the prosecution sought the maximum penalty due to the nature of the offences against the Royal Household, the defence pleaded for a lighter sentence, citing the accused's lack of fixed income. Ultimately, the court ordered a total fine of RM20,000.

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Why was a businessman fined RM20,000 for misusing royal titles?

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