by SHAFIQUL ALIFF / pic TMR FILE

THE state of Penang has revoked former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Razak’s (picture) Datuk Seri Utama title effective today.

State Government Deputy Secretary (Development) Datuk Zakuan Zakaria said the cancellation had been approved by Penang Yang di-Pertua Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak.

“This is according to Articles 6 and 8 of the Penang State Constitution, as well as Regulation 18 of the 2011 State Statute,” he said in a statement today.

Najib was awarded the First Class Membership of the State Attorney’s Office (DUPN) which carried the title of Datuk Seri Utama in 2009.

On Aug 23, the Federal Court upheld Najib’s conviction and sentence against him that had been previously decided by the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

He was sentenced to 12 years in prison and fined RM210 million after being found guilty of seven counts of breach of trust, abuse of position and money laundering of RM42 million in funds belonging to SRC International Sdn Bhd.

“Based on the conviction and sentence that has been passed on him, his membership as the incumbent of DUPN which carries the title of Datuk Seri Utama is cancelled and abolished with effect from Sept 15,” Zakuan said. 

Previously, the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah revoked the titles of Datuk and Datuk Seri bestowed on Najib in 1992 and 2004, effective Sept 12.

For the record, Najib had nine titles from Selangor, Pahang, Perak, Melaka, Kedah, Penang, Perlis, Sabah and Sarawak.