Tengku Iskandar Tengku Ahmad, 71, made the plea after the charges were read out to him before Judge Mohd Kamil Nizam.

He was charged with using the title “Yang Maha Mulia” without the consent of the Sultan of Kelantan on a letter of attorney dated Aug 31, 2014, that he signed using the name “Yang Maha Mulia Tengku Iskandar Tengku Ahmad Panglima Raja”.

The offence was allegedly committed at DU Tyre Sdn Bhd, No 27, Jalan SS21/1A, Damansara Utama here, at 3pm on Aug 31, 2014.

The charge, under Section 3 (1)(a) of the Kelantan Enactment, Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use), provides a fine of up to RM1,000, if found guilty.

On the second count, Tengku Iskandar was charged with acting on behalf of “Kerabat Diraja Long Yunus” by signing the letter of attorney, which had the letterhead of the “Pertubuhan Kerabat Diraja Long Yunus” as a document to allow his driver, Chai Kok Leong, 51, to handle his Mercedes Benz car at the same time and place.

The charge, under Section 48(1) of the Societies Act 1966, carries an imprisonment for up to five years, or fine, or both, if found guilty.

Deputy public prosecutor Awang Armadajaya Awang Mahmud offered bail of RM5,000 with one surety, but Tengku Iskandar’s lawyer, Joshua Sambanthan, said his client had ties with the Kelantan royalty and was involved in charity work.

Sambanthan also requested the court to stop the media from covering the case so as not to affect the coronation ceremony of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V, who is also the Kelantan Sultan, this Monday.

However, the court dismissed the request and fixed bail at RM4,000 in one surety.

The court also fixed July 24 for mention.