But how can we be sure someone claiming to be Datuk really is one or just faking it to con people?

There arent't many avenues for this now, but soon there might be.

Special identification cards

A national body, registered under the Registrar of Societies (ROS) through the Home Ministry, will be set up to vet members, The Star reported.

The vetted members will be given a special card as proof that they really have been conferred the title.

Council of Federal Datuks of Malaysia (MDPM) president Datuk Awalan Abdul Aziz said that although Melaka, Sabah, Penang, Kedah and Kelantan has its own association, there was none on the federal level.

This new body will serve as an umbrella to the associaltions, Awalan said.

"What is crucial is the verification process, where those registered with the body will be considered legitimate titleholders," he was quoted as saying.

It is not yet clear when this will roll out, but we're glad that we can finally have a way to identify fake "Datuks".