Matdura S.
Very aunty-social.
Popular Articles
In Malaysia, you CAN get fired for leaving your company's WhatsApp group. Here's why
by Matdura S. on 25 May 2019
WhatsApp is probably the most common, effective way to communicate these days. Because, who even SMS-es anymore, right? But sometimes, having too many conversations or WhatsApp groups can affect your quality of...
A non-Muslim woman sued a Muslim woman for ruining her marriage. The court disagreed
by Matdura S. on 14 July 2020
This article discusses civil marriages and does not include laws on Islamic marriages. Click here for our article on divorce in Islamic marriages. Getting a divorce can be pretty ugly. It might sometimes involve...
Malaysian women CAN sue their husband's mistress for ruining the marriage
by Matdura S. on 08 August 2019
This article is about civil marriages in Malaysia and does not include Islamic marriages. Click here for our article on divorce in Islamic marriages. Imagine this: You come home after a tiring...
Recent Articles
In Malaysia, can you sue the carpark management if your car is broken into?
by Matdura S. on 05 November 2020
Imagine this: You head to the nearest shopping mall to do some quick grocery shopping. You finally find a parking space far across the mall’s entrance and park there immediately. ...
In Malaysia, can your boss deduct your salary AFTER he overpaid you?
by Matdura S. on 27 October 2020
NOTE: This article applies to employees governed under the Employment Act (EA) with a monthly salary not exceeding RM2,000. “Non-EA Employees” will be governed by the terms of their contract of employment. So...
Is drunk driving a bigger crime than driving under drugs in Malaysia? We investigate
by Matdura S. on 19 October 2020
Recently, a Malaysian woman who was under the influence of drugs crashed into a navy officer’s car—killing him on the spot. The video of the crash made its rounds on...
Sexual harassment is NOT a crime in Malaysia...but this can change soon
by Matdura S. on 12 October 2020
Recently, a local Telegram group was brought to attention as over 40,000 members in the group were allegedly spreading pictures of women without their consent as well as sharing child porn. The group’s existence came to...
Malaysia is changing its laws to stop new company monopolies
by Matdura S. on 06 October 2020
Imagine this: You’ve subscribed to a local TV provider for almost 8 years now. Every year, you realize that the subscription price keeps increasing. You try and look for other options, but there’s nothing else...
Can your boss ignore your resignation letter in Malaysia?
by Matdura S. on 28 September 2020
If you’re currently considering to leave your company or you’ve already been offered a position at a different company, your first step will be to tender your resignation. The process is pretty simple: All you have...
Thinking of becoming a politician in Malaysia? Here's 2 steps you should take
by Matdura S. on 21 September 2020
Recently, Syed Saddiq applied to register his new party MUDA, and many netizens (even the ones young at heart) were curious on how to become a part of it: Shortly...
Some states require pet licenses in Malaysia. Here's how to get one
by Matdura S. on 14 September 2020
The last thing any pet owner wants is for their furry friend to be taken away from them...for good. Now you might have heard cases of enforcement authorities taking pets away...
Is it legal to put a GPS tracker on someone in Malaysia?
by Matdura S. on 09 September 2020
Imagine this: You’re cleaning your car one day and you find this tiny device in your backseat. You’ve never seen it before, and it definitely doesn’t look like a part...
A Malaysian man owes the bank RM70,000 after being scammed by a property agent
by Matdura S. on 02 September 2020
You’ve come a long way in life—and finally make enough money to afford a house in the big city. After months of searching, you finally got hold of a property agent who...
In Malaysia, can your boss fire you AFTER you give your resignation letter?
by Matdura S. on 27 August 2020
It’s pretty common to hear stories about employees leaving companies. Now it’s not always due to a bad experience with the company. Some employees might be seeking a different environment or...
Here's what Malaysian condo owners should know before renovating their unit
by Matdura S. on 21 August 2020
So you finally bought your first house—a condo unit in the heart of the city. You have so many plans on how you want to furnish, paint and revamp it according...
Can Malaysian courts charge a person TWICE for the same crime?
by Matdura S. on 14 August 2020
Malaysians are no strangers to hearing news about politicians being arrested or charged with crimes. In the past 2 weeks alone, we’ve seen the former Prime Minister Najib Razak and...
If your friends ditch you after eating in an 'atas' restaurant, do you pay the bill?
by Matdura S. on 09 August 2020
Imagine this: You get a phone call one morning from your long-lost high school friend—asking if you were free to meet up with some other friends. You realise it’s been so long since...
Can your boss fire you if you choose to work from home during the RMCO?
by Matdura S. on 04 August 2020
Okay before we dive into the answer, we’re actually curious to know whether Malaysians prefer going back to work post-MCO or have you blended in to this new WFH lifestyle? Loading… As...
What is considered an 'illegal gathering' under the RMCO?
by Matdura S. on 29 July 2020
News on the former PM made the headlines on Tuesday, when he was found guilty for all 7 counts involving SRC International, a subsidiary of 1MDB. Now, Najib’s case isn’t the...
Here's 4 things MACC does besides investigating corruption
by Matdura S. on 24 July 2020
If you haven’t already heard the news recently, Lim Guan Eng was called in by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). They’re investigating a corruption issue involving the RM6.3 billion undersea tunnel project...
In Malaysia, are illegitimate children allowed to inherit their parent's property?
by Matdura S. on 20 July 2020
If you’ve been an avid AskLegal reader, you might have come across our article on how a 6 year-old boy sued the Malaysian government, because he was considered an illegitimate child. Now...
A non-Muslim woman sued a Muslim woman for ruining her marriage. The court disagreed
by Matdura S. on 14 July 2020
This article discusses civil marriages and does not include laws on Islamic marriages. Click here for our article on divorce in Islamic marriages. Getting a divorce can be pretty ugly. It might sometimes involve...
There's a law to prevent prison deaths in Malaysia...but why isn't it enforced yet?
by Matdura S. on 07 July 2020
Prison deaths are now trending on social media, after the news about a man who had died in prison reached the public. If you’re not familiar with this story, let us shed some light on...
Malaysian employers can fire you even if they can't prove ALL your misconduct. Here's how
by Matdura S. on 26 June 2020
Imagine this scenario: You’ve been working in the same company for more than 15 years now. You’ve been getting promotions year after year, until you finally reached the top of the hierarchy...
There was no control on maintenance fee rates at Msian condos, until this 2019 court case
by Matdura S. on 16 June 2020
If you’re ballin’ and can afford a condo unit—or you’ve been a tenant at more than one condo—you might have noticed how condos vary from each other in terms of facilities...and obviously...
5 important tax exemptions you can get via the PENJANA plan
by Matdura S. on 11 June 2020
This recovery phase we’re in isn’t just for COVID-19, but also the Malaysian economy. Many Malaysians lost their jobs during this period as companies are finding it hard to sustain employees. We’ve...
The Malaysian government CAN legally take your land and property...under 3 conditions
by Matdura S. on 04 June 2020
Note: Different laws apply for East Malaysia. In Sabah, the subject is governed by the Land Acquisition Ordinance Cap 68 and in Sarawak, Part 4 of the Sarawak Land Code (Cap...
MACC can now fine the company AND employer for corruption...even if an employee did it
by Matdura S. on 28 May 2020
Malaysians have been embracing so many new changes in 2020. Some don’t even need an introduction like...COVID-19. But let’s put this viral infection aside for now, as we’ll be seeing change on how Malaysian companies...
Can LHDN force your family members to pay YOUR tax...if you die?
by Matdura S. on 18 May 2020
Perhaps the age old saying “Nothing is certain except death and taxes” might be true after all. So, if you ever thought death would finally release someone from all monetary commitments, we...
Malaysia introduced 4 apps during MCO, but how safe is your data when you use it?
by Matdura S. on 11 May 2020
As we enter new phases of the MCO/CMCO every other week, it’s been tough for some of us to keep up with all the updates that follow through. There have been...
Malaysian parents can now take their children for vaccine shots during MCO
by Matdura S. on 30 April 2020
Most Malaysians have most likely adapted to staying at home now, since the MCO has been in effect for more than a month. This new reality we’re facing thankfully comes...
5 regulations Malaysian companies DON'T have to follow during the MCO
by Matdura S. on 23 April 2020
As we approach the end of Phase 3 of the MCO—and begin Phase 4, some of us might be anticipating to get back to our daily routine—while others might have...
Can Malaysian authorities force you to get tested for viral infections?
by Matdura S. on 09 April 2020
The Health Director-General, Datuk Dr Noor Hisham made a statement lately on the increase in testing for COVID-19, across the country. The test for the virus initally started with 3,000...
5 new updates Malaysians must take note during Phase 2 of the MCO
by Matdura S. on 06 April 2020
Malaysians have been receiving numerous texts from the National Security Council (MKN), to know that what was initially supposed to be a two-week Movement Control Order is now being carried out for an entire month. Now this writer may or...
Here's what you can do if someone isn't revealing they're COVID-19 positive in Malaysia
by Matdura S. on 27 March 2020
COVID-19 has claimed 24 lives and infected 2,301 so far. With this worrying rise in the number of cases, we’re also facing another problem: Patients are not revealing about being in contact with someone who has tested...
What can you do if your wedding was canceled due to the Movement Order in Malaysia?
by Matdura S. on 23 March 2020
With the increase of Covid-19 cases, the CMCO (Controlled Movement Control Order) has recently been implemented in Klang Valley. This followed the CMCO placed on the whole of Sabah. Now...
3 things Malaysian workers must know if they're working during the movement order
by Matdura S. on 18 March 2020
With the sudden spike in the number of Malaysians down with COVID-19, the government announced the Restrictive Movement Order yesterday. The Order essentially acts to control and curb the rise in...
In Malaysia, you can be fined AND jailed for not carrying your MyKad at all times
by Matdura S. on 17 March 2020
You’re late for work...again. You somehow manage to get ready in 15 minutes. You’ve taken your laptop, your bag and even packed yourself a sandwich. Now it might feel like...
Here's how Malaysian employers might break the law during the COVID-19 outbreak
by Matdura S. on 12 March 2020
At the time of writing, there are approximately 129 reported cases of the COVID-19 (a.k.a coronavirus) outbreak in Malaysia. As the second wave of this global pandemic hits us, several companies...
In Msia children CAN be sent to jail, but only for certain crimes. Here's what they are
by Matdura S. on 06 March 2020
When you think of serious crimes, you’d normally imagine a man (or woman) committing the crime—regardless of how small or big it is. Very rarely would we consider that a...
Are statutory declarations from UMNO MPs enough to remove our Prime Minister?
by Matdura S. on 26 February 2020
Our political scene always seems to have new drama brewing – recently, Mahiaddin Yassin has declared that he is still our Prime Minister in a press conference last Wednesday, in response...
Abortions have always been legal in Malaysia BUT only for 2 reasons
by Matdura S. on 23 February 2020
*Note: This article was updated on 28 June 2022. Just recently, the United States has overturned a law – Roe v Wade – which meant that abortions aren’t a protected right anymore there....
In Malaysia, you can be fired AND jailed for submitting fake MCs. Here's how
by Matdura S. on 21 February 2020
It’s finally Friday! But you’ve literally no motivation to get out of bed today. You think about the amount of paperwork you have to settle at work—which makes it worse for...
Can Malaysian companies change your job description...after you sign the contract?
by Matdura S. on 09 February 2020
[Klik sini untuk versi Bahasa Malaysia] Imagine this: You finally landed a job as a sales executive at a local company. Everything has been going great for almost 6 months—you have...
In Malaysia, you can charge a man for rape, but NOT a woman. Here's why
by Matdura S. on 01 February 2020
Generally for rape cases, most of us would imagine a man committing the crime towards a woman. And this is mostly true as the victim is normally a woman and the perpetrator is a man. However,...
M'sia abolished the Fake News law in 2019, so how did a man get arrested for it?
by Matdura S. on 30 January 2020
At the time of writing, there are 7 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Malaysia. With the recent outbreak of this virus across the globe, there are many different news sources...
Can you get fired for taking emergency leave in Malaysia?
by Matdura S. on 13 January 2020
You wake up to some bad news on a Monday morning: Your uncle passed away. You also realise that today’s the day you need to submit your work report to your...
Can you get fined for smoking at a roadside food stall in Malaysia?
by Matdura S. on 07 January 2020
The grace period on the smoking ban is over. Malaysians are now getting fined for smoking in eateries—where in just the first two days of 2020, over RM170,000 worth of fines were handed...
Here's 5 Malaysian laws you didn't know have started in 2020
by Matdura S. on 06 January 2020
So it might have already dawned upon Malaysians, that we’re not going to see flying cars this year. But this doesn’t mean change isn’t set to come. We actually came across some fresh new laws and amended...
Malaysian parents can be sued for refusing to vaccinate their children. Here's why
by Matdura S. on 29 December 2019
[Note: This article was originally written in December 2019.] With the end of 2020 coming near, at least we have one good news: Pfizer announced that they have found a Covid-19...
Malaysians CAN now be fired for "blue-ticking" company WhatsApp messages
by Matdura S. on 25 December 2019
In the midst of writing this article, our writer isn’t sure if WhatsApp helps companies connect better or...creates more lawsuits. Previously, we wrote about how a Malaysian employee got fired for...
Why is the statutory declaration (SD) on Najib and Anwar taken so seriously?
by Matdura S. on 19 December 2019
If you’re reading this right now, then you’re probably no stranger to the recent accusation made against Najib Razak, in relation to the murder of Mongolian model Altantuya, that was made...
In Malaysia, you CAN get fired for bad performance at work. Here's why
by Matdura S. on 15 December 2019
You’ve been working in the same company for almost 5 years now. It’s practically your comfort zone, and you’ve never faced any serious problems at work...until today. You arrive at work...
Can Malaysian employers force you to sign a contract on the spot?
by Matdura S. on 07 November 2019
So you’ve finally landed a job after months of looking for one—and you’re expected to start work tomorrow. Maybe it’s your lucky stars, or the company is just really desperate to hire someone....
Can you sue Malaysian developers if your condo looks different from the show unit?
by Matdura S. on 25 October 2019
Remember the guy who spray-painted and hammer-smashed his own apartment in KLCC, when the unit he got was allegedly nowhere near as promised in the marketing material? This story entails a similar situation—but this time instead of...
Can Malaysian universities take disciplinary action on students who protest?
by Matdura S. on 22 October 2019
Recently, a University Malaya graduate did a solo demonstration demanding the resignation of the university’s vice-chancellor. Wong Yan Ke reportedly carried a placard on stage during the convocation ceremony—bearing the words “Undur...
Grab may be fined RM87 million for 'industry monopoly'. Here's what they (allegedly) did
by Matdura S. on 07 October 2019
Grab recently came into the spotlight when the Malaysian Competition Commission (MyCC) announced that the company is now an anti-competitor in the e-hailing industry. MyCC also proposed to fine Grab for RM86.8mil, with a daily...
How do Malaysian courts decide which parent gets child custody after a divorce?
by Matdura S. on 03 October 2019
Note: The information in this article applies to civil marriages and not Islamic marriages. Click here for our article on divorce in Islamic marriages. So you’re married to the love of your life. The...
5 things Malaysian workers need to know before striking against their company
by Matdura S. on 02 October 2019
Note: This article was originally published in September 2019, and updated on 5 August 2022. Grab and Foodpanda recently came to light as the employees — particularly the riders — decided to...
Here are your rights as a migrant worker in Malaysia
by Matdura S. on 26 September 2019
If you are stopped by any Malaysian Enforcement Authority, there are certain rules and regulations that you and the authorities must follow. Here’s a guide on what to do during arrest and detention,...
Can Malaysian companies fire you for misbehaving after office hours?
by Matdura S. on 24 September 2019
Most of us believe this: what we do outside of work is our business, not our company’s business. We just have to be responsible from the time we clock in...
Is it illegal to be part of a boycott in Malaysia?
by Matdura S. on 12 September 2019
There have been recent calls for the boycott of non-Muslim products in Malaysia, and to prioritize Muslim-made products. A proposal was made by the Islamic Consumers Association of Malaysia for halal certificates to be issued in...
5 steps to take when you want to sue your condo developer in Malaysia
by Matdura S. on 03 September 2019
Disclaimer: The laws stipulated in this article may not be applicable to East Malaysia. You can’t fix everything in life. There are some situations that require professional advice or services....
Can Malaysian companies force you to take annual leave?
by Matdura S. on 22 August 2019
So it’s CNY end of this week. Because of the MCO, you can’t balik kampung this year. So you decide not to take any additional leave and save them for another...
Malaysian women CAN sue their husband's mistress for ruining the marriage
by Matdura S. on 08 August 2019
This article is about civil marriages in Malaysia and does not include Islamic marriages. Click here for our article on divorce in Islamic marriages. Imagine this: You come home after a tiring...
Your Majlis Perbandaran can fine you for turning your house into an Airbnb
by Matdura S. on 02 August 2019
You might have heard of Airbnb or even tried it before. Airbnb is basically a site where people can list down their homes, and potential “lodgers” can book the property according to...
You can't fine a cat owner in Malaysia because...there are no laws against cats
by Matdura S. on 26 July 2019
There are basically two common types of animals that are kept as pets – dogs and cats. However, there are more than just 2 types of laws that we have here in...
5 changes Undi18 will bring to Malaysia (other than lowering the voting age)
by Matdura S. on 18 July 2019
For most of us, 21 is considered the age that signifies “maturity”. To mark our first step into adulthood, some of us would opt to take on bigger responsibilities in life...
Does Malaysian law allow your ex-company to sue you AFTER you resign?
by Matdura S. on 05 July 2019
During your childhood, if you broke something and didn’t want your parents to find out, your first move would have been to just try and hide the mess – or run away from...
Can the PDRM check your phone...without a valid reason?
by Matdura S. on 02 July 2019
It’s pretty common for the PDRM to set roadblocks and this is normally done due to several reasons – such as when there is an operation to prevent traffic offences (like...
In Malaysia, you CAN get fired for leaving your company's WhatsApp group. Here's why
by Matdura S. on 25 May 2019
WhatsApp is probably the most common, effective way to communicate these days. Because, who even SMS-es anymore, right? But sometimes, having too many conversations or WhatsApp groups can affect your quality of...
Singapore's Fake News law is 553% longer than Malaysia's. What are the differences?
by Matdura S. on 15 May 2019
Recently, Singapore passed the Anti-Fake News law which has garnered quite a bit of global attention...but not in a good way. It has been predicted that this will further lower Singapore’s already low...
If you can't smoke in a plane, why do AirAsia flights still have ashtrays?
by Matdura S. on 08 May 2019
If you’re a frequent flyer, occasional flyer – or even if you’ve never been on flight before, you’d probably still be familiar with some of the basic rules to follow when boarding a plane....
5 things you need to know about Malaysia's first female Chief Justice
by Matdura S. on 03 May 2019
For the first time in the history of Malaysia’s judiciary, a female Chief Justice was appointed – making her the top judge in the country. Datuk Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat is the 16th Chief Justice of Malaysia, after the retirement...
Can Malaysia create a law to make movie spoilers illegal?
by Matdura S. on 30 April 2019
There are basically two things you can spoil for people right now. Number one, the final season of Game of Thrones was released yesterday and two, the Avengers: Endgame is screening in cinemas. If...
Here's why China won't allow Malaysia to back out from the ECRL agreement
by Matdura S. on 26 April 2019
There are quite a number of hot topics being talked about in Malaysia at the moment. Some of you might be hyped about the release of Avengers: Endgame *no spoilers please* while the...
Here's JPN's guidelines to prevent people from giving weird names for their children
by Matdura S. on 21 April 2019
Note: This article was originally published in 2020. [Klik sini untuk versi BM] Can you imagine being called Durian or Rambutan as your official name?? A sibling duo from Kedah were named...
How is a normal Malaysian court different from a tribunal court?
by Matdura S. on 17 April 2019
Disagreements happen all the time. It can be over something as trivial as who does laundry for the week, or things can turn ugly real quick where sometimes, a minor disagreement can lead...
Are android boxes illegal in Malaysia? Here's what MCMC had to say
by Matdura S. on 14 April 2019
*Article originally written in April 2019, and updated in May 2021. Smart Android TV Box, Videocon, XiaoMi MiBox, i-Boite etc etc. An Android box goes by many names, and you might have one...
Here's 5 common tax filing mistakes made by Malaysian taxpayers
by Matdura S. on 11 April 2019
It’s that time of the year again where most Malaysians will be rushing to complete their income tax claims from the previous year. This can be a rather daunting experience for...
Can your Majlis Perbandaran stop people from putting annoying flyers on your car?
by Matdura S. on 09 April 2019
So you decide to make a quick visit to the bank to withdraw money. It starts raining, so you rush back to your car and turn on the engine. As...
Can two companies register similar names in Malaysia?
by Matdura S. on 03 April 2019
So you decided to open up a cafe in your local town. You found the perfect location in a busy area, hired a couple of baristas and of course – you gave a...
5 Malaysian court cases that got postponed...for the weirdest reasons
by Matdura S. on 24 March 2019
Recently, the news about a Malaysian lawyer who fractured his wrist while playing with his pet dog went viral on social media. Due to the accident, the lawyer had to postpone the...
How to legally disown a family member in Malaysia...with just 2 steps
by Matdura S. on 19 March 2019
Recently, a famous Malaysian politician/lawyer permanently disowned his son and granddaughter by publishing it in a newspaper article. We received many questions with regard to this including whether it is legal to do so. The main question would be, why do...
Are Muslim tourists bound to khalwat rules in Malaysia?
by Matdura S. on 13 March 2019
For most tourists who come into Malaysia, sharing an accommodation is quite a common thing to do as it doesn’t make sense to rent two rooms when you can share...
6 things you didn't know are illegal to take out of Malaysia
by Matdura S. on 07 March 2019
This article talks about commercial export of goods – But let’s imagine this scenario, where you’re a local student leaving Malaysia to study abroad. You’re so worried you’ll miss Malaysia that you made sure...
We asked PDRM if they're arresting everyone with a gang tattoo. Here's what they said
by Matdura S. on 26 February 2019
Last year, PDRM made a statement that people who have certain tattoos will be arrested—as it might represent illegal gangs in the country. Not just that, there’ll be a punishment of up to 3 years in prison,...
Can Malaysian websites sue for plagiarism? We find out after our article was "stolen"
by Matdura S. on 20 February 2019
Recently, local media site World of Buzz found itself in a world of buzz when the Malaysia subreddit placed a one-month ban on all WOB content after deciding that they...
Bolehkah anda menghalang jalan dengan khemah kenduri di kawasan perumahan?
by Matdura S. on 11 February 2019
Sebagai rakyat Malaysia, ramai daripada kita sudah pasti pernah menghadiri rumah terbuka yang dianjurkan oleh jiran-jiran kita, terutamanya semasa musim perayaan. Biasanya, sebuah khemah akan didirikan di hadapan rumah untuk majlis perkahwinan, upacara pengebumian dan apa-apa...
Is it illegal to block your neighbourhood road with a kenduri tent?
by Matdura S. on 04 February 2019
As Malaysians, most of us have attended our neighbours’ rumah terbuka during festive seasons. Tents are also pitched during weddings or funerals –basically any kind of function which is held...
If a Malaysian court asks you to show up as a witness, can you say no?
by Matdura S. on 28 January 2019
So you’ve received an official letter from the court, stating that you have been summoned to be a witness in court because your colleague has been fired recently. (Disclaimer: This is...
90% of Malaysians don't sign this important contract before they get married.
by Matdura S. on 16 January 2019
Alright, just to be completely clear, this article is about prenuptial agreements which are not required for marriage, and the 90% mentioned in the title may not be entirely...
