FAMA views seriously fraudulent sale of Harumanis

KANGAR: The Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) is ready to work with relevant agencies such as the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) to curb the fraudulent sale of Harumanis mangoes.

FAMA deputy director-general (Operations) Mohamad Mustahapa Awang said such cooperation was needed to ensure that legal action could be taken against sellers who were found to have deceived the public.

"Last year, we received several complaints from the public (about the fraudulent sale of Harumanis) and therefore we will continue to conduct monitoring this year," he told reporters here today.

Mohamad Mustahapa said through the cooperation, KPDNHEP would handle all consumer-related issues, while FAMA can take action against sellers under the Regulations of agricultural marketing agencies (grading, packaging, and labeling of agricultural products) 2008.

He said among the offences committed by Harumanis sellers was not stating the place of origin of the fruit.

"Failure to put the place of origin of an agricultural produce is an offence as it could lead to confusion among consumers.

"It is also an offence for any party to use the 'Perlis Harumanis' trademark when they are actually produced in other states because the name has been registered by with the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO)," he said.

For the record, the Perlis Harumanis mango (Clone MA 128) was registered as a Geographical Indicator on August 2, 2011.

--BERNAMA