PETALING JAYA: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living is committed to improving the public's understanding of intellectual property, said its deputy minister Fuziah Salleh (pix).

“We are committed to helping the community out there so that their creativity can be enhanced and expanded as well as help more entrepreneurs with innovation to protect their intellectual property,” she said.

Speaking to the media after launching the Intellectual Property National Day (HHIN) National Forum 2024 today, she said the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) received 246,178 intellectual property registrations until 2023.

Fuziah also said that 118 geographical indications (GIs) have been registered through intellectual property registration through cultural heritage and national treasures, with the majority from Sabah and Sarawak.

“In some states, their local enforcement needs to register the products, this is because it is a recognition that must be protected whereby the product will become a tourist attraction.

“GI is a sign that can be used on products to show that the products possess qualities and a reputation that are due to that origin,” she said.