KUALA LUMPUR — 17 May 2026 — ASEAN Records Sdn Bhd (ASEAN Records), an independent regional record certification platform, has formally reaffirmed its lawful status and operational legitimacy following a series of false public allegations and the circulation of a forged document involving the organisation earlier this month.
The company stated that it remains a fully incorporated Malaysian entity operating with formal approvals at both regional and national levels, while emphasising that the allegations made against it are “false, unsubstantiated and contradicted by official written confirmations from the relevant authorities.”
Two-Tier Approval Confirms Legal Standing
ASEAN Records confirmed that its use of the name “ASEAN” has been formally authorised through two independent approvals:
- Regional approval from the ASEAN Secretariat under Reference CCAD/LSAD/UNA/2023/Vol.1/014, dated 1 December 2023, signed by H.E. Tran Duc Binh, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Community and Corporate Affairs.
- Ministerial approval from the Government of Malaysia under Section 27(3) of the Companies Act 2016, Reference P/S/2023/A/004396, dated 14 November 2023, permitting the use of the gazetted word “ASEAN” in the company’s corporate name.
According to ASEAN Records, both approvals remain valid and in full force.
“Our two-tier approval reflects the lawful and transparent basis on which we operate. The accusations against ASEAN Records are wholly false and unsubstantiated,” said Gillian Ooi, Managing Director & Chief Adjudicator at ASEAN Records.
ASEAN Secretariat Confirms Forged Letter
A central issue in the recent controversy involves a letter dated 27 March 2026, bearing reference APSC/PSD/PRM/2026/98, which was publicly circulated by third parties and purportedly signed by H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN.
ASEAN Records stated that following formal correspondence with the ASEAN Secretariat’s Legal Services and Agreements Directorate on 14 May 2026, the Secretariat confirmed in writing that:
- The letter in question was forged
- The Secretariat never issued such a document
- No correspondence had been made with third parties in Malaysia regarding ASEAN Records
The company described this confirmation as a decisive clarification of the matter.
“The facts are documented. The ASEAN Secretariat has confirmed in writing that the 27 March 2026 letter is a forgery. We will take the necessary legal action to protect the legitimate interests of our company, our record holders and the integrity of the ASEAN name we are approved to use,” Gillian added.
Questions Raised Over “PPSM” Entity
ASEAN Records also addressed statements issued by an entity identifying itself as “Persatuan Pengguna Semenanjung Malaysia” (PPSM).
According to the company, a formal registrar search conducted with the Registrar of Societies Malaysia (Jabatan Pendaftaran Pertubuhan Malaysia) confirmed in writing on 13 May 2026 that PPSM is not registered as a society in Malaysia under reference JPPM.WKL.600.2/1/1 JLD.13 (18).
The company further stated that:
- The PPSM Facebook page appeared to have been created only recently in May 2026
- The page categorised itself as a “Non-Governmental Organisation” despite the absence of official registration
ASEAN Records said this raises “serious concerns” regarding the entity’s legal standing and credibility.
Police Reports Filed, Investigations Ongoing
In response to the alleged forgery and related statements, ASEAN Records confirmed that:
- Police reports were lodged at Balai Polis Kepong on 11 May 2026 and IPD Cheras on 15 May 2026
- The matter is currently under investigation by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM)
The company stated that it is fully cooperating with the relevant authorities.
Clarifying ASEAN Records’ Position
ASEAN Records reiterated that it operates as an independent regional record certification platform, and not as:
- An organ of the ASEAN Secretariat
- An ASEAN governmental agency
- A representative body acting on behalf of ASEAN
The company stated that this position has been consistently communicated across all official materials, ceremonies and public communications since its launch.
Protecting Record Holders and Public Confidence
Speaking on behalf of the organisation, Eldrick Koh, Managing Director & Co-Chief Adjudicator, reaffirmed the validity of all recognitions issued by ASEAN Records.
“To every record holder, every partner and every Malaysian who has stood by us — your records remain valid, your achievements remain real. We will defend the truth through every proper channel.”
Since its launch on 14 November 2024, ASEAN Records has:
- Issued more than 250 ASEAN-level record certifications
- Organised nine Gather of Achievers ceremonies with over 1,500 attendees collectively
- Conducted record witnessing sessions attended by senior public officials, including the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, Cabinet Ministers and state dignitaries
Call for Responsible Verification
ASEAN Records urged members of the public, business entities and media organisations to rely on verified and official sources before drawing conclusions or disseminating information.
The company also encouraged any parties who may have acted on incomplete information to review and correct inaccurate material in light of the official confirmations now available.
Looking Ahead
ASEAN Records stated that it remains committed to:
- Upholding transparency and lawful operations
- Protecting the integrity of its certifications and brand
- Supporting record holders and regional achievers across ASEAN
The company added that all statements issued are based on documents currently in its possession and written confirmations received from relevant authorities, while reserving all legal rights available under Malaysian law.
Further details on the official documents and clarification have also been made available through ASIA Records’ related coverage of the matter.
