The Kedah Royal Family Members Association (PKDK) confirmed that one of its members was involved in the case where 13 people were detained by the police last Oct 23 for allegedly impersonating members of the Kedah royal family.

PKDK president Tengku Zainol Rashid Tengku Yahya said the association was, however, not involved in the function which was organised by a non-governmental organisation at a hotel in Penang.

He said he was aware of the raid conducted by the police at the hotel because Penang police chief Abdul Rahim Hanafi had contacted him earlier to verify certain information.

“I support the action taken by the police to prevent quarters from using the association’s name or the ‘YTM’ (Yang Teramat Mulia) title to cheat the people, including to raise funds,” he told a media conference at his office in Alor Setar today.

In the raid on Oct 23, police detained 13 people on suspicion of impersonating the Kedah royal family members. However, only 11 of them were remanded to facilitate police investigations, with nine of them released two days later.

The other two are being held for further investigation into the function, purportedly organised by Pertubuhan Amal Kebajikan Islamiah Malaysia DiRaja (PAKIM DiRaja).

Tengku Zainol Rashid said PKDK, with about 900 members, had suspended the membership of four people for misconduct.

“"PKDK is only raising funds for the People’s Disaster Fund which will only be until this December.

“The public can call me at 013-4535959 or 04-7712750 (office) for verification should they be approached by suspicious characters,” he added.

He said PKDK did not issue membership cards and the verification card for the use of the YTM title by eligible royal family members was issued only by the Sultan’s Office.

- Bernama