MATTA Takes Action Against MATA For Trademark Infringement

Kuala Lumpur, 4 January 2020 – The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) wishes to advise its members and the general public that it has issued a letter of demand through it's lawyers to the Persatuan Agensi Pelancong Malaysia (Malaysia Association Tour Agency) ["MATA"].

The new association ["MATA"] which, in its name, indicates that it is an association for tour agencies welcomes membership from any individual aged 18 and above who are involved in the tourism sector.

In its letter of demand MATTA has cited trademark infringement, misrepresentation and the deliberate passing off of MATTA's name and goodwill by the newly-registered MATA.

MATTA's solicitors have demanded that MATA cease and desist using the infringing mark and infringing name and have demanded a public apology to be published in leading national newspapers failing which MATTA will instruct it's solicitors without any further delay to commence legal proceedings.

Confusion in the marketplace which has resulted in complaints being made to MATTA has also caused inaccurate reporting in the media whereby in a recent article in The Star the name of the President of MATA was wrongly acknowledged as the President of MATTA instead.

According to Registrar of Society (ROS) records, five (5) of the founding and current office bearers of the newly-registered MATA are also the current office bearers of Persatuan Agensi Pelancongan Umrah & Haji (PAPUH). Out of the five, two are also current office bearers in the Majilis Pelancongan Malaysia (Malaysia Tourism Council).

On 11 September 2014 MATTA held an Extraordinary General Meeting which voted overwhelmingly to expel all five of the aforementioned office bearers for causing moral and material damage to the association (MATTA).

MATTA is also seeking an explanation from the ROS on how the registration of MATA could have been allowed by the ROS and has also instructed it's solicitors to look into this issue.

MATTA which turns 45 years old next year boasts a membership of more than 3,600 member companies that are travel agencies and tour operators licensed by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia.


NIGEL WONG
Honorary Secretary General
MATTA
Term 2019 – 2021