FAQ

1. What does “DATO” means?

Answer: Dato’ is the most common highly regarded title in Malaysia. The Dato’ (pronounced in similar manner to Datuk) may only be conferred by a hereditary royal ruler of one of the nine Malay states. There are also hereditary Dato’s from Negeri Sembilan, where titles are held for life by heads of certain families and passed on to their heirs. These are not conferred by the ruler, but passed on through the customary native laws. In other states, certain noble families also have hereditary titles and are addressed as Dato’. Foreigners may be awarded such titles in a supernumerary and honorary capacity and use the title locally.