KUALA LUMPUR, Feb. 25 -- The government is stepping up efforts to safeguard the Musang King durian brand and protect Malaysia's ownership of the prized variety.

Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said Putrajaya is aware of allegations that durians from Thailand and Vietnam are being misidentified and marketed as Musang King.

"Malaysia has already secured geographical indication (GI) registration for Musang King, giving the country exclusive rights to the name.

"We have registered the GI for Musang King, which belongs to Malaysia. Other countries cannot name their durians Musang King even if the shape is almost similar," Mohamad told Parliament today during the Minister's Question Time.

He was responding to ...