Editing Datuk (section)

=== Title of honours ===
{{see also|List of Datuk titles}}
In [[Brunei]] and [[Malaysia]], Datuk or Dato is related to each country's [[order (decoration)|orders]] ({{lang|ms|darjah kebesaran}}). In general, it is a title or the prefix of a title given to a person upon being conferred with certain orders of honour. The power to bestow the order, thus the title, lies with the country's [[sovereign]] ([[Sultan of Brunei|Sultan]] in Brunei, and [[Yang Di-Pertuan Agong]] in Malaysia for federal orders) as well as the ceremonial leaders of the [[states of Malaysia]] for state orders.

The usage of the variant spelling "Datuk" and "Dato" is differentiated in the following manner: "Datuk" is conferred by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and [[Yang di-Pertua Negeri]], the non-hereditary Malaysian state leader which is nominated by the state legislature. Meanwhile, "Dato" is conferred by a [[Sultan]], the royal head of Brunei and some Malaysian states, as well as [[Yamtuan Besar]] which is the royal head of the Malaysian state of [[Negeri Sembilan]].

A woman conferred with the order in her own right may be given with the title in which the word "Datuk" or "Dato" is replaced with "Datin". Nevertheless, a woman may still be given the masculine form of the title.

The wife of a man conferred with Datuk or Dato is given the title "Datin". However, the husband of a woman who has been given such a title is not given any Datuk-related title.

Permission will not be given for a UK citizen to use any title associated with a foreign or Commonwealth award in the UK. Meaning that anyone with the title Datuk or Dato can not be referred to as "Sir" and can only be referred to by their given title.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rules governing the acceptance and wearing of foreign and Commonwealth orders, decorations and medals by citizens of the United Kingdom and her Overseas Territories |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-rules-on-the-acceptance-of-foreign-awards/rules-governing-the-acceptance-and-wearing-of-foreign-and-commonwealth-orders-decorations-and-medals-by-citizens-of-the-united-kingdom-and-her-overse |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref>

In 1808 a principal advisor of Sultan Tajuddin of Songkhla in present-day Thailand had an advisor/chancellor by name of Datuk Maharaja. This shows the early use of the title.<ref>"The Battle for Junk Ceylon" (present-day Phuket), C.Skinner, Dordrecht 1985, p.7</ref>