PETALING JAYA: The Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI) has launched an internal investigation following allegations that it used a company’s designs for the Malaysian pavilion at the Osaka World Expo in Japan without payment or credit.
In a statement today, the ministry said it views the accusation seriously and reserves all its legal rights regarding the matter.
“The ministry remains committed to the highest standards of integrity and compliance in all its dealings. We will take legal action if and when necessary,” it said.
The allegation surfaced after an Instagram user, @feythehuman, claimed that his company had been engaged by the ministry in 2022 to develop the pavilion’s concept, theme, and architectural direction. According to him, a proposal was presented to key stakeholders, including the Minister, Tengku Zafrul Aziz, and the company was repeatedly assured that it would be formally appointed to the project.
However, the user alleged that in January 2023, the company was informed that the appointment would not proceed as the ministry intended to open the project for tender.
Despite this, he claimed that the current pavilion concept, theme, narrative, and architectural direction mirror the work his company had developed, and that these were used without acknowledgment or compensation.
He also alleged that for the past two years, the company had been given the “runaround” in its efforts to seek recognition and fair payment.
According to Expo 2025 organisers, the Malaysian pavilion features a bamboo façade interwoven with a ribbon-like pattern inspired by the traditional songket fabric.–FMT
