Perlis in the process of making Harumanis a trademark

KANGAR, Aug 13 -- The Perlis government is currently in the process of making ‘Harumanis’ its trademark to prevent the name of the mango which is synonymous with the state being used by other parties, the Perlis State Assembly was told today.

State Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Committee chairman Nurulhisham Yaakob said currently the harumanis produced by the state uses the name ‘Mango Harumanis Perlis’ to distinguish it from mangoes from other places.

Harumanis is a mango variety, hence any party can use it on their products, however, action can be taken in accordance with the Geographical Indications Act 2000 if they use the name ‘Mangga Harumanis Perlis’, he said.

He was responding to a question from Asrul Nizan Abd Jalil (PH-Sena) who wanted to know the state government's efforts in ensuring harumanis mangoes remain an exclusive product of Perlis.

Commenting further, Nurulhisham said the name ‘Mangga Harumanis Perlis’ (Perlis Harumanis mango) has been registered with the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia by the Perlis Agriculture Department under the Geographical Indications Act 2000 (Geographical Indications Regulations 2001).

The use of the name is effective from Aug 2, 2011 and will expire on Aug 2, 2021, he said, adding that the registration certificate is a guarantee for the quality of Perlis harumanis mangoes which cannot be matched with mangoes produced elsewhere.  

-- BERNAMA