On Oct. 30, Johor police busted a syndicate for selling fake Datuk titles.

According to Johor Chief of Police Mohd Khalil Kader Mohd, victims would pay between RM180,000 (S$58,000) and RM280,000 (S$91,000) to get their fake titles.

He also said:

“I like to remind the public that it is not easy to be bestowed with a Datukship, as it is not something that money can buy.”

The literal translation of Datuk is grandfather, or an informal way of addressing a male elder.

But in Malaysia it's also an honorific title, roughly equivalent to a knighthood in the U.K. Both the federal government and the local state government have the authority to confer titles onto deserving citizens.

Here's a quick guide to these somewhat confusing titles across the causeway:

Tun

This is the highest title in Malaysia, awarded only by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or the Head of State, but it has existed in Malaysian society for hundreds of years.

Former Prime Ministers of Malaysia often receive this title upon leaving office, like Abdullah Badawi and Mahathir Mohamad.

Tan Sri

This is the second-highest title, also awarded by the federal government. Famous recipients include the amazing Michelle Yeoh.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="393"] Gif from My Media Forum.[/caption]

Datuk

This is the next federal title down the line, which has been around since 1965. The wife of a Datuk is called a Datin, while a woman who's received the title in her own right is called a Datin Paduka.

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A link to the past

However those are just the federal titles awarded by the national government of Malaysia. At the state level, more titles can be awarded. These include the Datuk Seri, the Dato' Sri, the Dato', the Dato Paduka and the Justice of Peace.

And just to make things even more confusing, the governors of Melaka, Penang and Sabah can also award the state title of Datuk, which is different from the federal title of Datuk. 

Titles hold special significance in Malaysian society, as they have existed in some form or fashion since before the era of colonialism. Even while Malaysia was governed by the British, the title system came to represent a link to Malaysia's history.

According to Johan Jaaffar, a columnist for The Star and a title-holder himself:

"In fact, the colonial administrators encouraged it. As the istana (court) tradition dictates, within the monarchy there is a pronounced political structure. There are dignitaries in the form of court officials, most of whom were orang bergelar (literally men with titles). We are merely inheriting the feudal system that has been conferring titles since the old days."

When everyone's special, no one will be

However, you're forgiven if you find the whole system a bit confusing. Some Malaysians have expressed similar views, feeling that such awards and titles are handed out far too easily.

Sultan Ibrahim of Johor has also talked about being stricter with conferring titles:

"I am aware the people are saying that if you throw a stone, you will hit a Datuk but I can add this — if you throw a stone now, it will hit a Datuk; it will then rebound and hit another Datuk. That is the situation now and we cannot deny this talk."

At least with the recent police bust, fewer people will be walking around with fake Datuk titles in Johor.

It might not be a bad thing that we do not have a similar system in Singapore, where titles are given out liberally. Imagine getting a title for saving someone's life, or developing a new scientific breakthrough, or leading Team Singapore to the World Cup (Or even just leading Team Singapore to a single victory).

It might just make our society even more divided than it already is. We'll just have to show that we're better than others the old-fashioned way -- by buying big cars and condos and club memberships.

Top photo from Getty Images.