Investment, trade and industry minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz says his ministry is in discussions with a company that claims the ministry failed to recognise or compensate it after using its designs for the Malaysian pavilion at the ongoing Osaka World Expo in Japan.
Tengku Zafrul said all consultants, contractors, and service providers involved in the development of the pavilion went through the prescribed evaluation and selection processes, which were in line with the government’s procurement procedures.
“To ensure this issue is resolved amicably between both parties, the ministry is currently engaging in active discussions with the company,” he said in a written parliamentary reply.
“This is crucial to ensure that Malaysia’s participation in the Osaka World Expo is not affected and that all of its objectives are achieved.
“Learning from this issue, the ministry will continue to enhance its internal guidelines as needed, particularly by strengthening oversight over all aspects of partner selection – especially for high-impact projects involving the nation’s image on the international stage.”
He added that his ministry remains committed to ensuring that the implementation of programmes and projects involving national interests is carried out in a transparent and accountable manner.
Earlier this month, a direct marketing company issued the ministry a letter of demand seeking compensation for the use of the firm’s designs for the Malaysian pavilion at the Osaka World Expo, which is taking place over six months from April 13 to Oct 13.
Current Media Group said it decided to issue the letter of demand after exhausting all informal avenues for dialogue and giving the ministry “ample time to act in good faith”.
