By WU VUIDE
PUTRAJAYA: Ministry of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport (Mindet) has finalised a collaboration with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) to strengthen intellectual property (IP) protection among entrepreneurs and communities in the state.
Its Minister, Datuk Ewon Benedick, said the collaboration is crucial to ensure IP registration becomes a key component in the development of the industrial and entrepreneurial sectors, including community-based social enterprises in Sabah.
“The collaboration will begin with Mindet officers and its agencies undergoing specialised training programmes at the Intellectual Property Academy, followed by awareness programmes on the importance of IP protection among Sabah entrepreneurs.
“The courses are important to enhance their understanding of the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO), enabling them to provide accurate advice to entrepreneurs on IP registration and protection.
“I will also look into the proposal to establish a dedicated IP unit within Mindet to help coordinate related initiatives,” he said.
Ewon said this after a meeting with Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali in Putrajaya.
Meanwhile, Ewon also visited the Intellectual Property Academy of MyIPO and held discussions with its director-general, Yusnieza Syarmila Yusoff, on the implementation of specialised training programmes for Mindet officers and its agencies.
He said every entrepreneurial product developed in Sabah—whether in industry and innovation, food and beverage or social enterprises—should include IP registration.
“This requires exposure and specialised training for ministry officers and agencies in Sabah, alongside awareness programmes involving entrepreneurs and the community.
“I appreciate MyIPO’s readiness and commitment in finalising this collaboration,” he said.
Based on a briefing by MyIPO, a total of 3,941 IP applications were received in Sabah from 2021 to March 2026, with 3,349 registrations recorded as of December 2025.
To date, 31 geographical indication products have been registered in Sabah, including Amplang, Tenom Coffee, Papar Belacan, Sabah Tea, Sandakan Piyutu and Kota Belud Liking. Of these, six are inactive as they have not been renewed.
Ewon (right), and Armizan (centre), during a meeting with an officer (left), at MyIPO office.
