Kuala Lumpur: The Malaysian Ministry of Investment, Commerce and Industry (MITI) Survey on complaints alleging that it had “stolen” the concept of a creative agency for the Malaysia Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka without credit or compensation.
In a brief statement on Saturday (April 26), Miti said that she was aware of allegations that were widely shared online following a viral Instagram publication by user Fey Ilyas.
“Miti is currently undertaking an in -depth investigation to bring together and verify all the relevant facts concerning the allegation made by an individual on social networks,” said the ministry quoted by the Malaysian local media.
“We take this question very seriously and reserve all our legal rights. Miti remains attached to the highest standards of integrity and compliance in all its transactions. We will take the necessary legal action if and if necessary,” he added.
However, the declaration did not appoint the individual or the agency involved.
The affirmations surfaced after Fey accused the ministry of having used the concept, the theme, narrative and architecture of his company for the Malaysia Pavilion “without recognition or compensation”.
According to Fey, the ministry had hired its creative consulting firm, Current Media Group (CMG), in 2022 as creative consultants to develop the concept of Malaysia's participation in Expo 2025.
Expo 2025 is a major global exhibition to present the achievements of nations. This year's exhibition takes place in Osaka, Japan, for six months from April 13 to 13.
Fey also claimed that his team had helped obtain approvals, had called on world class partners and had shaped the basics of the presence of Malaysia at the Global Expo.
“As a small business, even receiving an appropriate reception acknowledgment for a project of this scale would have helped us to build our reputation and open doors to new opportunities,” Fey wrote on Instagram.
On Saturday, the post collected more than 24,100 likes and more than 6,000 republished.
Fey also said that he had met the Minister of Commerce Tengku Zaprul Abdul Aziz to directly raise the issue. Fey also alleged that his agency had been “notified to remain silent” or to lose future opportunities.
