LAM WEE SIN (L) (sebagai Pentadbir Bagi Harta Pusaka Lam Chen Khiong, Si Mati) 1. ) WAKIL DIRI / PENTADBIR / WARIS KEPADA PANG HIOK, SI MATI 2. ) PENTADBIR TANAH DAERAH KULAI

LAM WEE SIN (L) (sebagai Pentadbir Bagi Harta Pusaka Lam Chen Khiong, Si Mati) 1. ) WAKIL DIRI / PENTADBIR / WARIS KEPADA PANG HIOK, SI MATI 2. ) PENTADBIR TANAH DAERAH KULAI

The 1966 power of attorney is void: it contains no express irrevocability or evidential recitation of consideration and therefore, under s.5 of the Powers of Attorney Act 1949, was revoked on the donor's death; additionally the purported sale contravened the Land (Group Settlement Areas) Act's prohibition on alienation outside the statutory assignment process, rendering the purported transfer invalid. Consequently the Plaintiff, as administrator of the donor's estate, is the beneficial owner of the land in expectation of title, but the court cannot compel the Registrar to issue title because alienation and issuance of title fall within the State Authority's discretion under the GSAA. The...

Citation
JA-24NCvC-433-05/2023 (Mahkamah Tinggi)
Parties
Plaintiff (administrator of Estate of Lam Chen Khiong): Lam Wee Sin; 1st Defendant: Wakil diri / Pentadbir / Waris kepada Pang Hiok (deceased); 2nd Defendant: Pendaftar Hakmilik, Pejabat Tanah Daerah Kulai
Court
High Court
Jurisdiction
Malaysia
Judgment Date
4 April 2024
Case Number
JA-24NCvC-433-05/2023 (Mahkamah Tinggi)
Procedural Posture
Originating Summons / Judgment (grounds of Judgment)
Outcome
Court allowed declarations that the 1966 power of attorney is null and void and that the Plaintiff is the beneficial owner; court declared representatives of Pang Hiok have no beneficial rights; court dismissed Plaintiff's claim to compel the Registrar to register title and dismissed damages claim; parties to bear...
Legal Topics
Validity of Power of Attorney, Beneficial Ownership Under GSAA, Alienation and Assignment Under GSAA, Revocation of Power of Attorney on Death, Remedies and Damages
Source Language
Malay/English
Property Law Land Law Administrative Law Equity Civil Procedure Validity of Power of Attorney Beneficial Ownership Under GSAA Alienation and Assignment Under GSAA +2 more

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Parties

Lam Wee Sin

Plaintiff (administrator of Estate of Lam Chen Khiong)

Wakil diri / Pentadbir / Waris kepada Pang Hiok (deceased)

1st Defendant

Pendaftar Hakmilik, Pejabat Tanah Daerah Kulai

2nd Defendant

Procedural Posture

Originating Summons / Judgment (grounds of Judgment)

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the Power of Attorney dated 10.4.1966 is valid or void
  2. 2 Whether the Plaintiff is the beneficial owner of PTD 108227 (Lot 7216)
  3. 3 Whether the Registrar of Titles must register title in Plaintiff's name

Ratio Decidendi

The 1966 power of attorney is void: it contains no express irrevocability or evidential recitation of consideration and therefore, under s.5 of the Powers of Attorney Act 1949, was revoked on the donor's death; additionally the purported sale contravened the Land (Group Settlement Areas) Act's prohibition on alienation outside the statutory assignment process, rendering the purported transfer invalid. Consequently the Plaintiff, as administrator of the donor's estate, is the beneficial owner of the land in expectation of title, but the court cannot compel the Registrar to issue title because alienation and issuance of title fall within the State Authority's discretion under the GSAA. The...

Court Disposition

Court allowed declarations that the 1966 power of attorney is null and void and that the Plaintiff is the beneficial owner; court declared representatives of Pang Hiok have no beneficial rights; court dismissed Plaintiff's claim to compel the Registrar to register title and dismissed damages claim; parties to bear...

Orders

  • Declare the Power of Attorney dated 10.4.1966 null and void
  • Declare Plaintiff (administrator of Lam Chen Khiong) the beneficial owner of PTD 108227 (Lot 7216) in expectation of title pending state approval