Dato or Datuk is not akin to Sir, Dato is a herititary title, a knighthood is conferred. The ABC should probably have gone on to refer to him as Haji Ibrahim Abdul Rahman.

Dato' is the most common title awarded in Malaysia. The wife of a Dato' is a Datin, except in Terengganu where they are known as To' Puan (not to be confused with Toh Puan, the wife of a non-hereditary Tun).

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. The wife of a hereditary Dato' is addressed by courtesy as To' Puan.

In other states, certain noble families also have hereditary titles and are addressed as Dato'. For example, the current Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato' Sri Najib Tun Razak, is hereditary Orang Kaya Indera Shahbandar of Pahang. He would have been addressed as Dato' even if he had not been conferred a Dato' Sri (SSAP)^[9] state award of Pahang.

Foreigners may be awarded such titles in a supernumerary and honorary capacity and use the title locally.

Malaysians can also purchase this title if they wish to be one of the Dato's.

-- Edited by Baz421 on Thursday 3rd of April 2014 11:27:15 PM