A businessman was charged in the Sessions Court here today with four counts of cheating by posing as the 'Sultan of Melaka', three years ago.

Noor Jan Shah, 58, from Taman Seri Gombak, Selangor, however, pleaded not guilty and claimed trial after all charges were read to him before Judge Ahmad Sazali Omar.

He was alleged to have duped four people, namely Zaamat Md Idris, Mokhtar Md Yusof, Ahmad Zainudin Abdul Hamid and Hazizi Ikhwan Zaamat, into believing that he was the 'Sultan of Melaka' by holding a customary ceremony in which he was conferred with the letter of appointment as the 'Melaka Sultan'.

All the offences were allegedly committed at the A'Famosa Resort Melaka near here, at 10 pm on Dec 28, 2013.

Each charge under Section 419 of the Penal Code carries a maximum jail term of seven years, or fine, or both, if convicted.

The court allowed Noor Jan bail of RM8,000 in one surety for each charge and set Dec 21 for remention.

Deputy public prosecutor Lee Chee Thim prosecuted, while the accused was represented by counsel Surjan Singh Sidhu. -- BERNAMA