[Straits Times] POLICE have detained a businessman who purportedly installed himself as sultan of the southern Philippines province of Sulu."And what do you do for a living?"
The man, known as Datu Mohd Akjan Datu Ali Muhammad, was detained here on Sunday.
"I'm a sultan."
Akjan was produced before magistrate Noorhafizah Mohd Salim on Monday and remanded for seven days.
"You're a sultan?"
Magistrate Noorhafizah issued the remand order based on a request by investigating officer Asst Supt Azizul Mansor under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
"Yep. Wanted to be one since I was a kid..."
Police said Akjan was held to assist in investigations following a series of reports lodged against him in the wake of a ceremony at his Kampung Likas house here on Feb 2. He was reported to have been installed the 33rd sultan of Sulu in the presence of 60 people.
"... Then one day I enrolled in this correspondence couse, 'How to be a sultan.' Did all the lessons, got my diploma..."
Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib previously said police were investigating the matter under the Penal Code and the Internal Security Act. He also said Akjan could have committed an offence by having dual citizenship.
"Then came the big day! I hung out my shingle, hired some henchmen and a grand vizier, and I was a sultan! Been happy as a clam in chowder ever since!"