KUALA LUMPUR: The Sultan of Selangor has revoked the titles awarded to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor after they were recently found guilty of graft.
Selangor State Secretary Datuk Haris Kasim said the revocation, which took effect today, was made by Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah after consultation with the Selangor Royal Council.
"Najib was charged at the High Court over several charges involving abusing of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering funds of SRC International.
"On Aug 23, the Federal Court upheld the conviction and sentence against him that had been decided by the High Court.
"As such, his Keahlian Darjah Kebesaran Seri Paduka Mahkota Selangor (SPMS) First Class which carries the title 'Datuk Seri' and Darjah Kebesaran Dato' Paduka Mahkota Selangor (DPMS) Second Class which carries the title 'Datuk' have been revoked and cancelled effective today," he said in a statement.
On Rosmah, Haris said, as she was found guilty of three charges involving soliciting and accepting bribes on Sept 1, her Darjah Seri Paduka Mahkota Selangor (SPMS) First Class which carries the "Datin Paduka Seri" title had been revoked and cancelled.
Najib was conferred with the SPMS in 2004 and DPMS in 1992. Rosmah was conferred the SPMS in 2005. In Selangor, women conferred the SPMS use the "Datin Paduka Seri" title instead of "Datuk Seri".
In the same statement, Haris announced the revocation of the datukship of former Rural and Regional Development Ministry secretary-general Mohd Arif Ab Rahman, who was bestowed with the Darjah Kesetiaan Setia – Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah (SIS) Third Class which carries the title "Datuk" in 2003 and Darjah Kebesaran Ahli Mahkota Selangor (AMS) Fourth Class in 2001.
"The High Court had upheld his conviction and sentence on a corruption charge, as such, his title has been revoked and cancelled," he said.
He added that the power of suspension is vested in His Majesty's authority under the Selangor State Constitution 1959, Titles and Honours statute, and the convention adopted in Selangor.