PUTRAJAYA: The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry made 1,160 seizures of counterfeit goods worth an estimated RM94.7mil from 2019 until May this year.
Deputy Minister Datuk Rosol Wahid (pic) said the seizures were made during 14,187 inspections across the country to stamp out the production of fake goods and pirated items under the Trade Descriptions (Amendment) Act 2019 following complaints from consumers and trademark owners.
“This is to ensure the sustainability of the domestic trade ecosystem by stamping out the unfair practices against producers of the genuine products and consumers.
“We don’t want consumers to be cheated by buying counterfeit products at the same prices as genuine items,” he told reporters after launching the MyOri SmartSecure application and Kepenggunaan Pintar (Smart Consumption) programme.
The Trade Descriptions Act 2019 provides for a fine of up to RM15,000 for each fake item on the first charge and RM30,000 for each item on the second charge, and so on.
On the MyOri SmartSecure application, developed by two local companies, Rosol said the use of the Internet of Things (IoT) to tackle counterfeit goods would raise efficiency in protecting the interests of the product manufacturers and consumers.
The MyOri SmartSecure application can be downloaded for free via Google Play and Apple App Store to scan the MyOri sticker on the product to be bought.
The sticker is only found on the product packaging if its manufacturer has registered with MyOri Services Sdn Bhd. — Bernama