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<h2>Dato&#8217; and Datuk: Which spelling is correct?</h2>
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<p><p><b>Actually, they&#8217;re both correct</b> but the difference between them lies in the context of their usage and the level of prestige associated with each respective title.</p>
<p>These are just two of the many honorary titles used in Malaysia.</p>
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<h2>What are honorary titles?</h2>
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<p><p>Honorary titles are a form of recognition and respect bestowed upon individuals for their notable contributions, achievements, or services to society.</p>
<p>Firstly, what you need to understand is there are <b>two types</b> of honorary titles — federal and state titles.</p>
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<h2>Federal titles are often considered higher in prestige due to the fact that they are bestowed by the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong (YDPA)</h2>
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<p>Recipients of federal awards are recognised for their contributions or achievements with a nationwide impact.</p>
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<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://www.parlimen.gov.my/pengurniaan_darjah_panglima_mahkota_wilayah_pmw_kepada_ketua_pentadbir_parlimen_malaysia.html?uweb=web&#038;lang=en" rel="noopener">Parliment of Malaysia</a></small>
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<h2>State titles are typically awarded by the respective heads of states, either by sultans or governors in states that don&#8217;t have rulers like Penang, Melaka, Sabah, and Sarawak</h2>
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<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/houseofpahang1/posts/istiadat-pengurniaan-darjah-darjah-kebesaran-dan-pingat-pingat-negeri-pahang-dar/1246754175809397/?locale=ms_MY" rel="noopener">House Of Pahang (Facebook)</a></small>
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<p>They are more localised in their recognition, focusing on contributions and services within the specific state where the title is conferred.﻿</p>
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<h2>Now, let&#8217;s delve into the differences between the perpetually confusing titles</h2>
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<h2>Dato&#8217; vs Datuk</h2>
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<p>Even though they&#8217;re pronounced similarly, <b>they are indeed different</b>. </p>
<p>Simply put, <b><i></i>Dato&#8217;<i></i></b> is awarded by one of the nine state rulers while <b><i></i>Datuk<i></i></b> is bestowed by the YDPA or governors in other states<b> (except Penang, which uses Dato&#8217; only)</b>, according to Penang Infrastructure and Transport Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari&#8217;s <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://zairilcom.wordpress.com/2012/11/13/whats-in-a-title/#_ftnref1">website</a>.</p>
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<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nst.com.my/sports/others/2021/02/662241/malaysias-nicol-david-named-greatest-athlete-all-time" rel="noopener">New Straits Times</a></small>
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<h2>Dato&#8217; Seri vs Datuk Seri</h2>
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<p><p><i></i><i><b></b></i><b>Dato&#8217; Seri</b><i><b></b></i> is the highest state award granted by one of the nine state rulers.&nbsp;</p>
<p>On the other hand,&nbsp;<i><b></b></i><b>Datuk Seri</b><i><b></b></i> is bestowed by the YDPA or governors.</p>
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<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2022/11/856466/pm-anwar-urged-convince-non-malays-accept-single-stream-education-system" rel="noopener">Bernama/New Straits Times</a></small>
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<h2>Then, what about Dato&#8217; Sri and Dato&#8217; Seri?</h2>
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<p><p>Well, it&#8217;s more of a spelling thing, and it depends on the state.</p>
<p>While&nbsp;<i><b></b></i><b>Dato&#8217; Sri</b><i><b></b></i> is only conferred by the Sultan of Pahang, the rulers of the other eight states award <i><b></b></i><b>Dato&#8217; Seri</b><i><b></b></i>.</p>
<p>And no, there isn&#8217;t such a thing as <i></i>Datuk Sri<i></i>.</p>
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<h2>How about Tun &#038; Tan Sri?</h2>
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<p><p>They are both federal titles, however, <i><b></b></i><b>Tun</b><i><b></b></i> is considered the most prestigious award in Malaysia. There may not be more than 35 living Malaysian <i></i>Tun<i></i>&nbsp;holders at any one time. A notable example would be <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://says.com/my/stories/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&amp;q=tun+dr+mahathir">Tun Dr Mathathir Mohammad</a>.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, <b><i></i>Tan Sri<i></i></b> ranks just below <i></i>Tun<i> </i>and shares equivalent rank with state titles<i> </i>Dato&#8217; Sri<i> </i>and<i> </i>Dato&#8217; Seri<i>. </i>For example, Michelle Yeoh, <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://says.com/my/entertainment/michelle-yeoh-first-malaysian-win-oscar-award" title="Link: https://says.com/my/entertainment/michelle-yeoh-first-malaysian-win-oscar-award">who won the Academy Award for Best Actress</a>, gained the title of Tan Sri in 2013.</p>
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<p class="img-caption">Tun Dr Mathathir Mohammad (left) &#038; Tan Sri Dato&#8217; Seri Michelle Yeoh (right)
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<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2023/02/1059842/kenapa-tun-m-hairan-kecewa-dan-sedih" rel="noopener">New Straits Times</a></small>
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<h2>Datukships can be bought, but some could be fake. Here&#8217;s how you can check online:</h2>
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<p>Officials are cautioning the public to be alert about the increasing number of fake &#8216;Datuks&#8217; who buy their titles online.</p>
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<h2>Did you hear that Michelle Yeoh will be getting her a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?</h2>
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<p>Well deserved.</p>
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How To Tell The Difference Between Dato', Datuk, Dato' Seri & Other Titles

How To Tell The Difference Between Dato’, Datuk, Dato’ Seri & Other Titles