GEORGE TOWN: A man believed to have masqueraded as a member of a royal family was among 13 people arrested at an investiture ceremony of a non-governmental organisation.

The suspect, 46, was apparently the guest-of-honour at the event which was held at a hotel here.

He was said to have arrived at the hotel in a BMW which did not have number plates but yellow plates with an emblem in the centre.

The others detained were members of the entourage' accompanying him and organisers of the event.

The ceremony was held to swear in council members of a community and welfare-based organisation . It was attended by more than 120 people, including some entertainment outlet operators.

Police rushed to the scene to conduct checks when they got wind of the event yesterday.

The raid lasted nearly two hours from 4pm following which police detained the 13 suspects, all men aged between 38 and 61, to facilitate investigation.

Police also seized several sashes used in the investiture of the council members, the BMW and some documents.

Penang police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Abd Rahim Hanafi said police were investigating the Malay-based NGO for “having dealings” with local Chinese who run entertainment outlets here.

He said the case was being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and under Section 419 of the Penal Code for cheating by impersonation.

Abd Rahim said police were also probing whether one of the suspects had indeed masqueraded as a member of the royal family of a state.

“We are investigating the case under Section 108 of the Road Transport Act. The emblem and the number plates fitted to the car are not supposed to be there.

“We have found out that the car belongs to a local Chinese,” he told a press conference at the George Town police district headquarte rs.

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