Do I need a lawyer to buy property in Malaysia?

For most property purchases in Malaysia the sale and purchase agreement, the transfer (Memorandum of Transfer) and any loan documents are drawn up by an advocate & solicitor. A conveyancing lawyer checks that the title is clean, protects your deposit and handles stamping and registration at the land office. Our firm handles conveyancing and real estate work in Petaling Jaya and across Selangor.

What are my rights if I'm dismissed without notice?

An employee dismissed without just cause or excuse can file a representation for reinstatement with the Industrial Relations Department, generally within 60 days of the dismissal, under section 20 of the Industrial Relations Act 1967. A dismissal that ignores the notice period in your contract can also be pursued as wrongful dismissal in the civil courts. The right remedy depends on your contract and the facts, so it is worth getting advice early.

What should a tenancy agreement include?

Malaysia has no single tenancy statute, so the written agreement itself governs the relationship. A sound tenancy agreement names the parties and the property, and sets out the rent and deposit, the term and any renewal, each side's obligations for repairs and utilities, and the grounds for termination. It should be stamped at LHDN (the Inland Revenue Board) so it is admissible in court.

How do I register a company in Malaysia?

Companies are registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) under the Companies Act 2016. A private limited company (Sdn Bhd) can be incorporated through SSM's MyCoID portal, with at least one director ordinarily resident in Malaysia and a company secretary appointed within 30 days of incorporation. We can advise on the structure, the shareholders' agreement and your ongoing compliance obligations.

What is the difference between an advocate and a solicitor in Malaysia?

In Peninsular Malaysia the legal profession is fused: a qualified lawyer is admitted as an “Advocate & Solicitor” under the Legal Profession Act 1976 and may both advise clients and represent them in court. So the same lawyer can draft your documents and appear on your behalf, unlike jurisdictions that split the two roles.

Can I get legal help without visiting the office first?

Up to a point. Consultations with a partner are held in person at our Petaling Jaya office, Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm, so you will need to come in for advice on your own matter. This site also has an AI assistant that can give you a plain-language explanation of your situation beforehand, but it gives general information only and is not a substitute for that advice.

Preface

Thoughts and Reminiscence of a Retired Judge

Dato' Haji Akhtar bin Tahir · Retired Judge of the High Court of Malaya · Senior Partner · 11 September 2026

Why a judge stays silent on the bench, and what he is free to say once he leaves it.

I am a retired High Court Judge, and now I would like to share my thoughts, both legal and personal. These are strictly my own thoughts, gathered through my personal life as well as my professional life. My reflections are not meant to offend or defame anyone, or any institution.

It is my hope that my thoughts and reminiscence might bring about reform or change. If they do, then well and good. If not, they will remain purely my thoughts and reminiscences.

I was born and bred in Malaysia, although my ancestors are from elsewhere. My thoughts and reminiscence are therefore purely Malaysian, coming from Malaysian experience.

Being a Judge, I could not have shared these thoughts earlier, lest they raise the perception that I had prejudged certain issues. This is something a Judge is not encouraged to do. A Judge can share his thoughts only through his judgment, and even then only so far as the evidence adduced in court allows.

My writing style is my own and does not necessarily follow any format. I am going to write as things come to mind.

The views above are the author’s own and are general commentary, not legal advice. For advice on a specific matter, book a consultation.