Ministry in 'active discussions' with firm claiming Japan expo plagiarism
The Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry said it is currently conducting “active discussions” with a company that accused the ministry of plagiarising its design for Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan.
Last month, the ministry was slapped with a letter of demand seeking compensation and acknowledgement of the direct marketing company’s designs for the Malaysian pavilion at the international exposition.
The Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry said it is currently conducting “active discussions” with a company that accused the ministry of plagiarising its design for Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan.
Last month, the ministry was slapped with a letter of demand seeking compensation and acknowledgement of the direct marketing company’s designs for the Malaysian pavilion at the international exposition.
“To ensure this matter can be resolved amicably between both parties, the ministry is currently conducting active discussions with the company.
“This is important to ensure Malaysia’s participation in Expo 2025 Osaka, Japan, is not affected, and the momentum of achievements thus far can be maintained whilst all objectives of Malaysia's participation in the expo are met.
“The appointment and involvement of all stakeholders including consultants, contractors, and service providers for the development of the Malaysia Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Japan, have undergone established assessment and selection processes, in line with prevailing government procurement procedures,” Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz said in a written parliamentary statement to Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng.
Lim had asked the minister to state the status of investigations into the aforementioned allegations by the company.
Additionally, he also asked the minister to state the measures which the government will take to ensure such incidents do not recur in any government agency.
“Learning from this issue, the ministry will continue to refine internal guidelines based on requirements, particularly in strengthening oversight of all aspects of implementation partner selection, especially for high-impact projects involving the country’s image at the international level.
“The ministry remains committed to ensuring the implementation of programmes and projects involving national interests is conducted transparently, with accountability and integrity,” Zafrul added.
‘Ample time has been given’
The company, Current Media Group (CMG), instructed its counsel to issue the legal demand on July 17.
In a statement on July 18, CMG said it decided to pursue legal action against the ministry after exhausting all informal avenues for dialogue and giving the ministry ample time to act in good faith.
It claimed that the ministry had failed to sufficiently engage with them after CMG founder Fey Ilyas took to social media on April 25 to describe how the Malaysia Pavilion bears “clear similarities” to the proposal CMG developed and presented to the ministry long before the official tender process.
Fey previously posted on Instagram claiming his company had developed the “concept, theme, narrative and architectural direction” for the Malaysia pavilion at the Expo 2025 Osaka, which began on April 13.
He alleged that while the company had contributed to Malaysia’s exhibition at the global stage, CMG was neither paid nor given any acknowledgement for its work.
Fey further alleged that the company was instead advised to stay quiet, as they were told that speaking up might hurt their chances of getting more jobs in the future.
