PETALING JAYA: A consumer group have raised alarm over companies allegedly using the “Asean” name to sell costly “Asean Record” recognitions to Malaysian businesses.
Peninsular Malaysia Consumer Association (PPSM) president Sharif Ahmad said the association had received multiple complaints from businesses approached by private entities offering “ASEAN Record” recognitions for substantial fees, costing up to RM30,000.
He said the practice raised serious concerns because the Association of Southeast Asian Nations is an intergovernmental organisation representing member states, not a commercial body.
“Asean does not permit the use of its name for commercial purposes or for the issuance of profit-driven certificates and records by private entities,” he said.
Sharif added that PPSM obtained a clarification letter from the Asean secretariat stating that it neither authorised, endorsed nor partnered with organisers promoting and selling purported “Asean-certified” records to Malaysian businesses.
According to a letter from the Asean secretary-general dated March 2026 to PPSM, any event, certificate, plaque, logo usage or claims presented by the organiser were “not recognised by Asean and do not originate from the Asean secretariat or any official Asean institution”.
“The Asean name and emblem are protected identifiers.
“We are gravely concerned that unscrupulous parties are exploiting these identifiers to create a false appearance of official endorsement and to solicit payments from businesses,” it stated.
The secretariat also advised businesses and members of the public not to make payments to organisations claiming to offer Asean-linked recognitions without verifying the claims through official Asean channels.
Sharif warned that SMEs were particularly vulnerable as many smaller businesses may believe such recognitions carry official regional backing that could boost credibility and marketing value.
“Businesses should not feel pressured into paying large sums for questionable recognitions.
“If an offer appears unofficial or involves payments to individuals or private companies claiming to represent Asean, it should be treated with caution and independently verified,” Sharif said.
PPSM said it is compiling complaints received before referring verified cases to enforcement authorities for further investigation.
The association also urged businesses to request written documentation, keep receipts and communication records, and verify any Asean-related claims directly with the Asean secretariat before making payments.
However, documents showed that the Asean secretariat had previously granted approval in December 2023 for the company to use the name “Asean” for “Asean Records Sdn Bhd”, subject to strict conditions.
The authorisation letter stated clearly that the approval did not allow the company to claim to be an agent, partner or representative of Asean, nor create the impression of official endorsement by the regional bloc.
The letter also stressed that Asean would not be liable for any business activities carried out by the company.
