Pahang regent Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah today decreed that candidates who will be receiving titles from the state must now undergo vetting by the MACC and police.

Tengku Abdullah said this will become a standard operating procedure (SOP) that must be complied with before he consents to any candidates receiving titles from the state.

"Those who have been proposed to receive the awards must abide by the SOP. I will not grant the award as long as the candidate has not been vetted.

"I will also create a code of ethics that must be abided by award recipients, therefore, there is no need for me to remind that they, as recipients, must watch their behaviour," he was quoted as saying by Berita Harian.

Tengku Abdullah made the decree after handing out awards, some of which carried the titles of "Datuk" and "Datuk Seri", in conjunction with the sultan's birthday.

Tengku Abdullah, who is also the Pahang crown prince, is acting as regent while his father is recuperating from poor health.

He reminded recipients to ensure their conduct is appropriate, adding that he welcomed that they return the awards if they were unable to do so.