KELANTAN ruler Sultan Muhammad V has officially withdrawn the Setia Mahkota Kelantan title conferred upon former Corporate Communications Department (J-Kom) director-general Mohammad Agus Yusoff. This revelation was confirmed by Kelantan state secretary Datuk Nazran Muhammad.
“It is as gazetted,” he replied briefly in a text message to Malaysiakini.
According to the government gazette dated Dec 28 last year, the revoking took effect on Dec 2, 2023. However, no specific reason was provided for the withdrawal.
The Setia Mahkota Kelantan title which carries the honorific “Datuk” was awarded to Agus in 2011. Subsequently in 2012, he received the Darjah Indera Mahkota Pahang, also carrying the title “Datuk”.
Agus, formerly an academician who transitioned to a government role, faced controversy previously for allegedly engaging in a lewd conversation with J-Kom staffer Abdul Wahab Abd Kader Jailani.
Moreover, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Razarudin Husain has confirmed an ongoing police investigation into the matter.
The investigation falls under Section 354 of the Penal Code for outraging modesty and Section 377D for the offence of committing an indecent act.
On Jan 16, Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Shuhaily Mohd Zain revealed that the investigation paper regarding the alleged sexual harassment had been submitted to the Attorney-General’s Chambers on Dec 18.
Furthermore, Wahab claimed that Agus sexually harassed him at a hotel in Bintulu, Sarawak, on Oct 21, 2023, but Agus countered that the three-minute-long video allegedly showing the lewd conversation was doctored and pointed to one “Mr H” as the purported mastermind.
While Agus can no longer use the “Datuk” title in Kelantan, he retains the title in other states, such as the Indera Mahkota Pahang title. – Jan 19, 2023
Main photo credit: Free Malaysia Today
