JS Lim
Jie Sheng knows a little bit about a lot, and a lot about a little bit. He swings between making bad puns and looking overly serious at screens. People call him "ginseng" because he's healthy and bitter, not because they can't say his name properly.
Popular Articles
Some Malaysians book parking spaces by standing in them. But is it legal?
by JS Lim on 17 March 2018
It’s probably happened to you before. You’re circling in the parking lot looking for an open spot at the mall. You finally see one in the distance, and excitedly drive...
5 things that will happen in Malaysia when GST goes to 0%
by JS Lim on 22 May 2018
You’ve probably already heard about how fast the Pakatan Harapan government has delivered on its promise to ease the burden of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) off Malaysians....
Malaysia has a new Attorney General! ...But what does he do?
by JS Lim on 21 February 2018
When you report an incident to the Malaysian police, what they need to do (in summary) is gather information, then file an investigation report with the Public Prosecutor (PP)...
Recent Articles
Malaysia has a new Chief Justice… But what does he do?
by JS Lim on 16 July 2018
After the appointment of a new Attorney General - Tommy Thomas, Malaysia is also getting a new Chief Justice in Tan Sri Richard Melanjum, who will be Malaysia’s first...
What happens to your reward points when a company shuts down in Malaysia?
by JS Lim on 12 July 2018
Look inside your wallet and you’ll probably find some stamp cards from your favourite food and beverage outlets. Even if you don’t like keeping any of those, you’re still probably...
Will modifying your car affect the resale value? We look at 7 popular trade-in myths
by JS Lim on 10 July 2018
Ever heard a myth or two about selling used cars in Malaysia? “Repair and polish your car first to get a better price” “Cars with Wilayah plates sell for more”...
What’s the difference between theft and robbery in Malaysia?
by JS Lim on 03 July 2018
If someone broke into your house in the middle of the night and stole your TV, you might tell people that “A THIEF entered my house last night” or...
To get a divorce in Malaysia, you need to prove at least 1 of 4 things…
by JS Lim on 26 June 2018
This article is about civil marriages in Malaysia and does not include Islamic marriages. Click here for our article on divorce in Islamic marriages. So, you think you’ve...
Are part-time promoters protected by labour laws in Malaysia?
by JS Lim on 22 June 2018
If you’ve ever done part-time work before, you might have taken up a few positions where you promote products to the public, usually in a mall or at an event....
What's extradition, and is it hard to bring a Malaysian criminal back from overseas?
by JS Lim on 19 June 2018
You might remember one of Malaysia’s high profile extradition cases - the story of Muhammad Rizalman. He had entered a young woman’s bedroom with his pants and underwear down...
Have nightmares freelancing in Malaysia? Here’s how a contract can help you
by JS Lim on 15 June 2018
If you’ve ever been a freelancer, or know people who freelance, you’re probably familiar with the horror stories that can come out of it. The friend that was offered...
Can people legally use your photos without permission in Malaysia?
by JS Lim on 12 June 2018
Imagine yourself relaxing in your favourite room, laying back in a comfy chair with your smartphone, scrolling through social media. You’re a bit bored and you’re looking for something...
What type of protection do whistleblowers get in Malaysia?
by JS Lim on 08 June 2018
Imagine yourself being in a meeting with a client and your boss. You’ve just negotiated a project successfully, and you’re shaking hands with the client, but something bothers you -...
What can Malaysian authorities do against dirty restaurants besides closing them down?
by JS Lim on 06 June 2018
You’ve probably dined at an establishment that was a little unclean before. Whether it was finding a fly in your drink, or seeing a rat suddenly scurry across the floor,...
What items are duty-free at Malaysian customs, and what happens if you exceed the limit?
by JS Lim on 01 June 2018
Unless you’re a frequent traveller, you might have come back from a trip with a borderline amount of dutiable goods before (“dutiable” meaning you have to pay customs charges on...
5 things Malaysian employers pay on top of your monthly salary
by JS Lim on 30 May 2018
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to open your own business? This comes with the freedom to do what you want, the way you want to, but...
What is a Malaysian Commissioner for Oaths and what do they do?
by JS Lim on 25 May 2018
Have you ever seen these signs in shoplot areas saying “Commissioner for Oaths” (“Pesuruhjaya Sumpah”)? You’ve probably always wondered who these people are and what exactly do they do. Image...
What laws do you need to obey when cosplaying in Malaysia?
by JS Lim on 23 May 2018
With Animangaki-chan on 26th and 27th, and Animangaki set for mid August, anime fans are probably excited off their socks for the event. There are the games, anime, manga, merchandise, and...
5 things that will happen in Malaysia when GST goes to 0%
by JS Lim on 22 May 2018
You’ve probably already heard about how fast the Pakatan Harapan government has delivered on its promise to ease the burden of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) off Malaysians....
5 legal reasons you should never take part in a Sambung Bayar deal
by JS Lim on 17 May 2018
Buying a car is really expensive. But you’ve got more than just the initial price tag to consider, there’s still the hidden costs associated with owning a car. Not...
Here are some laws Pakatan Harapan promised to reform. But what’s wrong with them?
by JS Lim on 15 May 2018
It’s a historic moment in Malaysian politics with Pakatan Harapan ousting Barisan National for the first time in 61 years. With this new government coming to power (that a...
Sendirian Berhad companies exist today because this man won a lawsuit in 1893
by JS Lim on 11 May 2018
When you wake up in the morning, what products do you use? Chances are, some of those products were made or imported by a company formed in Malaysia bearing...
Bank Negara’s policy on FREE bank transfers is actually about...paying with QR codes?
by JS Lim on 03 May 2018
On 16 March 2018, Bank Negara announced their Interoperable Credit Transfer Framework (ICTF) policy that will take effect on 1 July 2018. The last big policy that Bank Negara...
Can you get in trouble for Instagramming the new Avengers movie in Malaysian cinemas?
by JS Lim on 30 April 2018
If you were born before streaming services like Netflix became main-stream (pun intended), you probably remember the times you could find pirated DVDs of movies being sold on the...
How well do you know Malaysia's Road Rules? Take our quiz and find out!
by JS Lim on 26 April 2018
Every driver knows the Road Rules of Malaysia, or do they…? Some of these rules are common sense, but some of these need you to know a little more than...
Can you legally stop someone from taking photos of you in Malaysia?
by JS Lim on 24 April 2018
You’re probably no stranger to people whipping out their phones to take a picture or video whenever something “interesting” happens in Malaysia. Whether it’s a case of road rage, an...
Can you get your bail money back after paying it to Malaysian courts?
by JS Lim on 20 April 2018
Imagine yourself getting arrested for a minor offence. You’re put into the lockup and within 24 hours, you’re brought before a judge for a hearing. After the hearing, he...
When can you perform a citizen's arrest in Malaysia, and how do you do it?
by JS Lim on 17 April 2018
Imagine yourself witnessing a snatch theft. They just made off with a lady’s handbag, and you’re right there next to her as it happens. In this situation, we usually...
Is it legal for Malaysian shops to charge you extra for paying by card?
by JS Lim on 02 April 2018
You’re out doing some shopping which you’ve been putting off for the longest time because of work. After your retail therapy lust is satisfied, you head over to the cashier but,...
If you find money on the street in Malaysia, can you legally keep it?
by JS Lim on 27 March 2018
Most of us have experienced finding some money while walking down the street. We pick it up, and look around to see if there’s anyone looking for something they’ve...
Ever lent a friend something but never got it back? Malaysia has a law for that
by JS Lim on 24 March 2018
Have you’ve ever had a friend borrow something from you, and then never return it? Hopefully, the thing went missing, and your friend didn’t sneakily sell it to someone...
If a worker hurts you by accident in Malaysia, do you sue him or his boss?
by JS Lim on 21 March 2018
There’s getting food poisoning, getting hit by a lorry, and in the feature image’s nightmare scenario – getting your car crushed by a pile driver. Being hurt by someone else’s carelessness is...
Some Malaysians book parking spaces by standing in them. But is it legal?
by JS Lim on 17 March 2018
It’s probably happened to you before. You’re circling in the parking lot looking for an open spot at the mall. You finally see one in the distance, and excitedly drive...
What’s the difference between murder and manslaughter in Malaysia?
by JS Lim on 14 March 2018
For most people, our only encounter with murder is through a TV show, or a video game. Those TV series usually make mention of a few kinds of fancy terms...
If I get into a car accident, can I go to the nearest Balai Polis instead of stopping?
by JS Lim on 13 March 2018
Sometimes, we hear tidbits of legal knowledge from friends and family such as “if you hit a car from behind it’s automatically your fault”, and “you can’t use a...
5 sources of income that are tax free in Malaysia
by JS Lim on 09 March 2018
There are only a few things that are certain in life, and one of them is taxes. While most of us don’t look forward to tax season (unless you’re...
5 common Malaysian tax offences you don’t want to accidentally commit
by JS Lim on 05 March 2018
There were news reports from 2017 that a lot of Malaysian celebrities were not paying their income taxes. This is despite them earning millions of ringgit, and the tax...
5 rights you didn’t know you had as an airline passenger in Malaysia
by JS Lim on 01 March 2018
Most Malaysians love to travel, but regardless of whether you’re a seasoned frequent traveller or one who still needs Google maps to find your boarding gate, there are two...
What can you do if no action was taken on your police report in Malaysia?
by JS Lim on 26 February 2018
Feature image for illustration purposes only. It’s from an incident in 2015 where two policemen who were found sleeping on the job. Read about the incident here. Imagine you’re driving to...
Malaysia has a new Attorney General! ...But what does he do?
by JS Lim on 21 February 2018
When you report an incident to the Malaysian police, what they need to do (in summary) is gather information, then file an investigation report with the Public Prosecutor (PP)...
Is it illegal to steal ideas in Malaysia? Here's 5 laws about copying that you didn’t know
by JS Lim on 30 January 2018
Imagine having a brilliant idea one day for a product, a book, or even a business. You’re beyond excited about it, so you share the idea with your friends over...
Is robbing graves a crime in Malaysia?
by JS Lim on 23 January 2018
As Malaysian, we’re part of a multicultural society of all sorts of cultures with many different roots. With great diversity, comes a great number of funeral rites. Some of us...
If you commit a crime in Malaysia, how can you get the judge to go easy on you?
by JS Lim on 09 January 2018
Imagine you’ve been summoned to court for a traffic offence, like driving in the emergency lane. You probably got issued a court summons instead of the fine you were expecting,...
If Ah Long ads are illegal in Malaysia, why do we keep seeing them?
by JS Lim on 02 January 2018
Walking down a Malaysian city street, you might find a lot of good food places, blazing heat, people of all races… and dodgy advertisements plastered over every conceivable public surface....
How effective are Malaysian anti-piracy laws? We asked a local game company
by JS Lim on 19 December 2017
You see the trailer for a game that looks really interesting and exciting. But knowing how overhyped the trailers can be, you can’t decide if you should get the game...
5 ways legal moneylenders in Malaysia are different from Ah Longs
by JS Lim on 14 December 2017
When we think of moneylenders, we probably think of Ah Longs. With their “Pinjaman Berlesen” ads stuck all over Malaysia’s streets, throwing red paint, harassment, and even violence. Failing to...
If you get an uninvited guest in Malaysia, can you call the police?
by JS Lim on 03 December 2017
Imagine that your major cultural celebration is coming soon. For weeks you’ve been planning a dinner party for your friends and family. Despite having to chase some forgetful contractors over...
In Malaysia, poking holes in your condom (or removing it) may be considered rape
by JS Lim on 30 November 2017
Most of us accept that using any form of threat or force to have sexual intercourse with another person is rape. Our law agrees with that view; the definition of...
Who do you sue when you get injured in a lift? A Malaysian taxi driver fell 5 floors to find out.
by JS Lim on 16 November 2017
Have you ever imagined the following scenarios happening in a mall: The ceiling suddenly collapsing on top of you Someone falling off an escalator Falling down a lift shaft that’s...
5 ways Muslims can get divorced in Malaysia
by JS Lim on 31 October 2017
Some of you already know that Muslims in Malaysia follow a different law from Non-Muslims when it comes to marriage. Islamic Family Law is provided under Islamic Family Law...
7 things people do at mamak shops you didn’t know were illegal
by JS Lim on 24 October 2017
Going to coffee shops is such a big part of Malaysian food culture that it might as well be called a national pastime. Whether it’s mamak shops, hawker centres,...
Can Malaysian employers stop their ex-staff from joining a competitor?
by JS Lim on 10 October 2017
Imagine you’re leaving your job to start your own company, or you’re joining a competitor to your current employer. You tender your resignation with the notice period, and on...
Is it legal to cycle on Malaysian highways?
by JS Lim on 29 September 2017
In early September 2017, there was an incident on the LATAR highway where 4 paralympian bikers training for the ASEAN Paralympic Games were injured in what looked like a hit-and-run. The driver who...
If you illegally drive on the emergency lane in Malaysia and get hit, who's wrong?
by JS Lim on 24 September 2017
You’re in the emergency lane of the highway one day. Suddenly, another car comes hurtling towards your vehicle and there’s a sickening crunch. Another car has just hit you...
A lawyer asked his client to google a legal term. He immediately regretted it
by JS Lim on 19 September 2017
If you’ve ever been bombarded with jargon you didn’t understand, you already know how it feels like to read a document chock full of legal terms. There are already the...
Are there laws that can stop North Korea from testing missiles?
by JS Lim on 15 September 2017
You’ve probably heard the news that North Korea fired a ballistic missile over Japan on 29 August 2017. Then, on 3 September they also successfully tested their most powerful...
Are ambulances allowed to beat red traffic lights in Malaysia?
by JS Lim on 14 September 2017
Some of our readers have asked us whether ambulances can beat traffic lights in an emergency. One reader brought an incident that happened in Penang to our attention....
Can the MCMC legally block websites in malaysia?
by JS Lim on 09 September 2017
So the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) made big headlines in our local news as well as gaming sites on 9 September 2017. The fighting game “Fight of...
In Malaysia, can I stop airplanes from flying over my property?
by JS Lim on 07 September 2017
This article only applies to the law of Peninsular Malaysia. Sabah and Sarawak have their own Land Codes and as such, the law might be different. There’s an old...
These 2 Malaysian laws have been protecting our National Flag and Anthem for 54 years
by JS Lim on 29 August 2017
You know it’s Malaysia’s National Day when you start seeing the Jalur Gemilang being flown just about everywhere from on our cars to outside our houses, and it’s a time...
There's no law against upskirt recording in Malaysia. So what can we do?
by JS Lim on 24 August 2017
Time to time, we hear about a case of hidden spy cameras, or a peeping tom who “entered the wrong bathroom”, or even creepy guys taking upskirt videos of women....
Here’s why Malaysian pharmacies might refuse to sell you certain medicines
by JS Lim on 21 August 2017
This article was written with assistance from the Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society and All Day Pharmacy. How many of you have ever been to a pharmacy where you asked for antibiotics,...
In Malaysia, you can be arrested for a crime even if you don’t actually do it
by JS Lim on 21 August 2017
It’s a crime to rob banks, bribe the police, and even commit suicide. If you wanted to commit a crime but didn’t do it in the end, everything is still...
5 common sales tactics used in Malaysia that are actually illegal
by JS Lim on 11 August 2017
Way too many scammers have been using underhanded methods to cheat consumers, one of the most famous being “private message me for price”. A lot of honest sellers use it...
In Malaysia, shaming someone on social media could land you in jail
by JS Lim on 08 August 2017
You’re out for lunch. You’ve just finished your usual meal and are walking to your car. Then you see this. Image from ohmymedia The double parker didn’t leave a phone...
Is DBKL allowed to detain homeless people because of the SEA games?
by JS Lim on 03 August 2017
There’s been recent news about the homeless being rounded up by DBKL to “clean up the streets of KL” ahead of the Sea Games this 19 August. But are the...
What (legal) powers do security guards in Malaysia have?
by JS Lim on 31 July 2017
Guarded neighbourhoods and high-rise buildings have become commonplace in Malaysia. But we sometimes still get annoyed by the inconvenience of having to register at the guardhouse every time we go...
If you spread rumors about 1MDB, you may actually hurt the investigation. Here's why
by JS Lim on 27 July 2017
We have freedom of speech in Malaysia, but that freedom to express and discuss is not absolute. On 24 July 2017, the Dewan Rakyat became chaotic after a motion to...
If you get arrested by the PDRM, does that mean you're guilty?
by JS Lim on 25 July 2017
The Myth If the police arrest you, it means that you’re guilty of a crime.
How do I use the Malaysian PDPA to stop telemarketers from calling me?
by JS Lim on 19 July 2017
You’re going through your day, working on that upcoming project your boss has high hopes on you for. It’s almost noon and you’re almost finished with that little bit more...
These 5 laws from Malaysia's new Animal Welfare Act will make life better for animals
by JS Lim on 18 July 2017
[This article discusses specific sections of the new law. For the legal background, click here for a separate article] Back in 2015, the Malaysian Animal Welfare Act 2015 was passed...
5 Malaysian marriage laws you (probably) didn't know about
by JS Lim on 13 July 2017
Marriage seems straightforward. In civil law, minus the ceremony of your religion or custom, all you need in law is a valid registration with the Registrar of Marriages and adhere...
Who pays if my car is damaged or stolen when I use valet parking?
by JS Lim on 10 July 2017
When using valet parking, do we ever take pause and think: we are handing over our car keys to a complete stranger, who then returns our car keys to whomever...
If my art or music gets stolen, can Malaysian copyright law protect me?
by JS Lim on 04 July 2017
If you’re a designer you may have heard of the Dentsu Utama disqualification from the Malaysia 4As advertising awards early last year. Two winning entries were found by Malaysia...
Can I sue someone who promised to marry me (but doesn't) in Malaysia?
by JS Lim on 25 May 2017
You’re engaged to the love of your life. The wedding ceremony is set, invitations have been sent, and you’ve even paid the down payment for your new home. But one...