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Malayan Law Journal Unreported/2011/Volume /SEAN O'CASEY A!!E"SON # C$AN $OON% O$ AN&
O"S ' (2011) MLJU *+ ' 2* January 2011
(2011) MLJU *+
SEAN O' CASEY PATTERSON v CHAN HOONG POH AND ORS
FEDERAL COURT (PUTRAJAYA)
ARIFIN ZAKARIA CJM, ZULKEFLI AHMAD MAKINUDIN FCJ, JAMES FOONG FCJ
- RAYUAN SIVIL NO 01-0!-"010
"# J$%&$'( "011
Y.N. Foo (Kiran Dhaliwal with her) (Y.N. Foo & Partners) for the Appellants
Sharmini Jayan (Ravihan!ran an! N" #h$n" Yee with her) Seah %alan Ravi & #o for the Respon!ents
JAMES FOONG, FCJ
JU&%EMEN! O, !$E COU"!
I%)'*+&,)-*%
.1/ !o -ully appre./ate t0e 1 2ue3t/on3 po3ed to u34 we 30all 3tart 5y 3tat/n6 t0e -a.t3 o- t0/3 .a3e7 8e 30all
de3.r/5e t0e part/e3 a3 t0ey were /n t0e .ourt o- -/r3t /n3tan.e7
0$,12'*&%+
."/ !0e pla/nt/-- /3 an Amer/.an ./t/9en7 :n &e.em5er 1;;<4 w0en 0e wa3 /n Malay3/a4 0e met t0e 13t
de-endant4 a Malay3/an o- C0/ne3e or/6/n7 !0ey 3tarted dat/n67 Somet/me /n Apr/l 1;;;4 t0e 13t de-endant
tra#elled to t0e Un/ted State3 o- Amer/.a to #/3/t t0e pla/nt/--7 !0ere at t0e 'L/ttle C0ur.0 o- t0e 8e3t'4 /n La3
Ve6a34 30e 6ot =marr/ed= to t0e pla/nt/--7 A-ter t0at4 t0e 13t de-endant returned to Malay3/a w0/le t0e pla/nt/--
rema/ned /n Amer/.a7
.!/ On 21 Mar.0 20004 t0e 13t de-endant 6a#e 5/rt0 to a 5oy /n >uala Lumpur7 S0e 6a#e 0/m an En6l/30
name -ollowed 5y t0e C0/ne3e name 5ut -or t0e 3a?e o- t0e .0/ld we 30all re-er 0/m a3 J7 !0e 13t de-endant
mu3t 0a#e /nd/.ated to t0e pla/nt/-- t0at J /3 0/3 3on -or 3oon a-ter 5/rt04 t0e pla/nt/-- tra#elled to Malay3/a to 5e
w/t0 t0e 13t de-endant and J7 $e e#en attended J'3 .0r/3ten/n6 .eremony7 Su53e2uently4 t0e pla/nt/-- .la/med
to 0a#e tra#elled to Malay3/a on a num5er o- o..a3/on3 to 3ee t0e 13t de-endant and J and at one t/me all
t0ree tra#elled to Man/la7 :n/t/ally4 a..ord/n6 to t0e pla/nt/--4 0e 0ad planned -or t0e 13t de-endant and J to l/#e
/n Amer/.a 5ut w0en /t 5e.ame apparent t0at t0e 13t de-endant wa3 relu.tant4 0e dropped t0e /dea7
Ne#ert0ele334 0e .ont/nued to 3end money to t0e 13t de-endant -or 0er3el- and J7
.3/ Somet/me /n Septem5er 20014 /ntend/n6 to 3et up a more 3tru.tured 4$-%)5%$%,5 3.0eme -or J4 t0e
pla/nt/-- en6a6ed t0e 3er#/.e3 o- a -/rm o- 3ol/./tor37 !0rou60 t0em4 0e d/3.o#ered t0at /n J'3 5/rt0 .ert/-/.ate
0e /3 not named t0e -at0er7 :n3tead4 /t wa3 =En6el5ertu3 Anton/ou3 Mar/u3 Van $oe?= @=Aart=B7 r/or to t0/34
t0e pla/nt/-- .la/med t0at t0e 13t de-endant 0ad /n-ormed and 30own to 0/m a .opy o- J'3 5/rt0 .ert/-/.ate l/3t/n6
0/3 name a3 t0e -at0er o- t0/3 .0/ld7 $e later d/3.o#ered t0at t0/3 do.ument wa3 tampered w/t0 to ma?e /t
appear t0at 0e wa3 t0e -at0er7 80y t0/3 wa3 done w/ll 3oon 5e.ome apparent a3 t0e 3a6a un-old37
.6/ 80en t0e pla/nt/-- real/9ed t0/34 0e 3e.ured a pro-/l/n6 te3t -or J and 0/m3el-7 :t .on-/rmed t0at 0e /3 t0e
natural -at0er o- J7 Aut t0/n63 d/d not 3top t0ere7 :n t0e .our3e o- t0/34 0e d/3.o#ered t0at J wa3 adopted 5y
t0e 2nd and Crd de-endant3 on 1< ,e5ruary 2001 and t0ey 0a#e 3u53e2uently .on#erted 0/m /nto t0e :3lam/.
-a/t07 J'3 name wa3 .0an6ed to an :3lam/. name7
.7/ !0e 2nd de-endant /3 t0e 3/3ter o- t0e 13t de-endant7 S0e 0a3 .on#erted to t0e :3lam/. -a/t0 w0en 30e
marr/ed t0e Crd de-endant4 a Mu3l/m7 :n/t/ally4 t0e 2nd de-endant 0ad a33/3ted t0e 13t de-endant /n loo?/n6
a-ter J w0en t0e latter went to wor?7 E#entually4 a..ord/n6 to t0e 2nd and Crd de-endant34 J wa3 le-t to t0e/r
C
.are and ult/mately4 t0e 13t de-endant .on3ented to t0e/r adopt/on o- J7 !0/34 0owe#er4 wa3 den/ed 5y t0e 13t
de-endant w0o /n3/3ted t0at at no t/me 0ad 30e rel/n2u/30ed .u3tody o- J to t0e 2nd and Crd de-endant3
t0ou60 30e adm/tted4 eD.ept w0en 30e wa3 at wor?7 A3 to t0e adopt/on4 30e ma/nta/ned t0at 30e 0a3 ne#er
.on3ented to /t nor to t0e .on#er3/on o- J to t0e :3lam/. -a/t0 and t0e .0an6e o- 0/3 name7
.#/ Enra6ed 5y t0/34 5ot0 t0e pla/nt/-- and t0e 13t de-endant too? out or/6/nat/n6 3ummon3e3 a6a/n3t t0e 2nd4
Crd4 1t0 and Et0 de-endant37 :n t0e pla/nt/--'3 appl/.at/on4 0e re2ue3ted t0atF
1) 0e 5e de.lared t0e 5/olo6/.al -at0er o- JG
1) t0e 1t0 and Et0 de-endant3 @w0o are t0e "e6/3trar o- A/rt03 and &eat03 and "e6/3trar o-
Adopt/on3 re3pe.t/#elyB re.t/-y t0e/r re3pe.t/#e re6/3ter3 to name 0/m a3 t0e -at0erG
1) t0e 1t0 de-endant rename J to 0/3 or/6/nal nameG
1) t0e adopt/on o- J 5y t0e 2nd and Crd de-endant3 5e de.lared null and #o/dG
1) 0e 5e 6ranted 3ole .u3tody and 6uard/an30/p o- JG
1) 0e .on#er3/on o- J to t0e :3lam/. -a/t0 5e de.lared null and #o/dG
1) t0e Crd and 1t0 de-endant3 to del/#er J to 0/mG and
1) 0e 5e allowed to ta?e J out o- Hur/3d/.t/on7
.8/ !0e 1 de-endant on t0e ot0er 0and .la/med almo3t /dent/.al prayer3 re6ard/n6 adopt/on and .on#er3/on
5ut demanded .u3tody4 .are and .ontrol o- J 5e 6ranted to 0er /n3tead7
.9/ !0e 2nd and Crd de-endant3 .0allen6ed t0e re2ue3t3 o- 5ot0 t0e pla/nt/-- and t0e 13t de-endant4 w0/le t0e
1t0 and Et0 de-endant3 ma/nta/ned t0at t0e adopt/on and .on#er3/on were a..ord/n6 to pro.edure7
.10/ Now let u3 return to un-old t0e my3tery 3urround/n6 3ome o- t0e 13t de-endant'3 a.t/on3 t0at led to t0/3
.ompl/.at/on7 A..ord/n6 to t0e 13t de-endant 0er3el-4 w0en 30e met t0e pla/nt/-- 30e wa3 marr/ed to a
Malay3/an ?nown a3 Jo0n >un6 -rom Sarawa? w/t0 w0om 30e 0ad a dau60ter7 !0e marr/a6e d/d not wor? out
and w0/le wa/t/n6 -or 0er d/#or.e to .ome t0rou604 30e met Aart4 a &ut.0 nat/onal7 S0e 0ad a 3on 5y 0/m
w0om 30e named 87 Aut /n3tead o- putt/n6 Aart a3 t0e -at0er o- 8 /n 8'3 5/rt0 .ert/-/.ate4 30e named Jo0n
>un6 /n3tead7 80/le l/#/n6 w/t0 Aart 30e 0ad an a--a/r w/t0 t0e pla/nt/-- re3ult/n6 /n t0e 5/rt0 o- J7 And 0ere
a6a/n4 /n3tead o- l/3t/n6 t0e pla/nt/-- a3 t0e -at0er4 30e named Aart a3 t0e -at0er /n J'3 5/rt0 .ert/-/.ate7 !0e 13t
de-endant adm/tted tra#ell/n6 to Amer/.a and underwent a 3o .alled marr/a6e .eremony /n La3 Ve6a3 w/t0
t0e pla/nt/--7 S0e d/3m/33ed t0/3 a3 a real marr/a6e7 A..ord/n6 to 0er4 /t wa3 more o- a pled6e o- lo#e /n an
/n-ormal 3ett/n6 to a prelude -or a -ormal wedd/n6 /n Malay3/a /n t0e -uture7
.11/ A3 to w0y 30e 0a3 named Aart a3 J'3 -at0er /n J'3 5/rt0 .ert/-/.ate4 t0e 13t de-endant .la/med t0at /t wa3
done at t0e re2ue3t o- Aart7 At t0at t/me4 30e wa3 0a#/n6 a d/--/.ult relat/on30/p w/t0 Aart and t0ere wa3 a
tu33le w/t0 0/m o#er t0e .u3tody o- 87 !o pa./-y Aart4 30e a..eded to Aart'3 re2ue3t t0at 0e 5e named -at0er
/n J'3 5/rt0 .ert/-/.ate a3 an /nd/.at/on t0at 30e would marry 0/m7 8e -/nd t0/3 lo6/. rat0er 3tran6e 5ut t0en4 /n
0uman /nter.our3e4 3tran6e t0/n63 w0/.0 de-y all lo6/. do 0appen7 E#entually4 t0e relat/on30/p w/t0 Aart d/d
not wor? out and 8 -ollowed Aart w0/le t0e 13t de-endant too? J away7Ju3t to .omplete t0/3 part o- t0e 3a6a4
Aart al3o 0ad a paternal te3t done on 8 w0/.0 .on-/rmed t0at 8 wa3 0/3 .0/ld7 !0/3 .ame a5out t0rou60 a
le6al pro.e33 /n3t/tuted 5y Aart a6a/n3t t0e 13t de-endant and 5y .o/n./den.e Aart'3 3ol/./tor3 were t0e 3ame
a3 t0o3e en6a6ed 5y t0e pla/nt/--7 And w0en note3 were eD.0an6ed /n t0e3e two .a3e34 t0e pla/nt/-- 5e.ame
a.2ua/nted w/t0 t0e /nt/mate deta/l3 o- w0at tran3p/red 5e0/nd 0/3 5a.?4 3o to 3pea?7 !0/3 .au3ed 0/m to
a..u3e t0e 13t de-endant o- de.ept/on and 5e/n6 un-/t to 0a#e .u3tody o- J7"e6ard/n6 t0e -al3/-/.at/on o- J'3
5/rt0 .ert/-/.ate to 5ear t0e pla/nt/--3 name a3 t0e -at0er4 t0e 1 de-endant eDpla/ned t0at t0/3 wa3 done -or t0e
purpo3e o- J'3 adm/33/on to an /nternat/onal 3.0ool7
.1"/ :n t0e $/60 Court4 t0e 13t de-endant e#entually a6reed not to .onte3t a6a/n3t t0e pla/nt/-- -or t0e .u3tody
o- J7 :n3tead4 30e Ho/ned t0e pla/nt/-- /n .0allen6/n6 t0e 2nd and Crd de-endant34 a3 well a3 t0e Crd4 1t0 and
Et0 de-endant3 o#er t0e adopt/on and .on#er3/on o- J7
.1!/ 8e now turn to t0e #er3/on pro--ered 5y t0e 2nd and Crd de-endant37 A3/de -rom t0e/r /n3/3ten.e t0at t0e
13t de-endant 0ad le-t J to t0e/r .are w0/le t0e 13t de-endant wa3 5u3y w/t0 0er wor? and 3o./al a.t/#/t/e34
t0ey .la/med t0at t0e 13t de-endant 0ad .on3ented /n wr/t/n6 to t0e/r adopt/on o- J7 !0/3 wa3 /n a 3tatutory
de.larat/on 3/6ned 5y t0e 13t de-endant7 !0/3 do.ument wa3 tendered a3 an eD0/5/t and /3 -ound at pa6e <<1
1
o- #olume C part A o- t0e Appeal "e.ord7 !0e t/tle o- t0/3 do.ument de.lare3F
=SU"A! >E:I:NAN EN%AN%>A!AN A>UAN AE">ANUN=
@!ran3latedF Statutory &e.larat/on @Letter -or erm/33/on to AdoptB
.13/ Aelow are part/.ular3 3u.0 a3 t0e name o- t0e 13t de-endant and 0er addre337 !0e 3ame 6oe3 -or J and
t0e 2nd and Crd de-endant37 Aart'3 name appear3 a3 -at0er 5ut 0/3 w0erea5out3 /3 3tated a3 =!:&A> AOLE$
&l $UAUN%:= @!ran3latedF .annot 5e .onta.tedB7 !0/3 de.larat/on 0a3 a 3/6nature at t0e 5ottom le-t and t0e
r/60t and t0en -urt0er down /3 a 3/6nature o- t0e Comm/33/oner -or Oat0 and 0/3 3tamp 5ear/n6 0/3 name and
addre337
.16/ :n t0/3 3tatutory de.larat/on4 t0e 13t de-endant 0a3 a--/rmed t0at 30e .on3ented to t0e adopt/on o- J 5y
t0e 2nd and Crd de-endant37
.17/ !0e 13t de-endant 0a3 #e0emently den/ed t0at 30e 3/6ned t0/3 de.larat/on and a33erted t0at t0e -/r3t
t/me 30e 5e.ame aware o- t0/3 wa3 w0en 30e re.e/#ed a .all -rom an o--/.er o- t0e Et0 de-endant t0at t0e
pla/nt/-- wa3 attempt/n6 to .an.el J'3 adopt/on7
H-2: C*&')
.1#/ :n t0e $/60 Court4 5ot0 t0e pla/nt/--'3 appl/.at/on and t0at o- t0e 13t de-endant were 0eard to6et0er7
"e6retta5ly4 all part/e3 a6reed t0at t0e3e appl/.at/on3 5e tr/ed on a--/da#/t e#/den.e w0en /t wa3 o5#/ou34
-rom t0e .ontent3 o- t0e do.ument3 -/led4 t0ere were 3er/ou3 d/3pute a3 to -a.t37 Ae-ore u3 now4 t0e pla/nt/-- /3
.ontend/n6 t0at t0e learned $/60 Court Jud6e 0a3 erred /n ma?/n6 a -/nd/n6 5a3ed on .ontent/ou3 -a.t3
a33erted /n t0e a--/da#/t37 8e 30all deal w/t0 t0/3 later7
.18/ A-ter del/5erat/on4 t0e $/60 Court allowed t0e pla/nt/--3 13t and 2nd prayerF a de.larat/on t0at 0e /3 t0e
natural -at0er o- J and t0at t0e 5/rt0 .ert/-/.ate o- J 5e re.t/-/ed to re-le.t t0/37 !0e re3t were d/3m/33ed7
.19/ A3 re6ard3 to t0e 13t de-endant'3 appl/.at/on4 /t wa3 d/3m/33ed7
."0/ !0e rea3on3 6/#en 5y t0e $/60 Court .an 5e 3ummar/3ed a3 -ollow3F
2) !0e &NA te3t po3/t/#ely .on-/rmed t0e pla/nt/-- a3 t0e natural -at0er o- J7 !0e 13t de-endant
0er3el- 0a3 al3o adm/tted t0/37 ,urt0er4 Aart4 /n 0/3 3tatutory de.larat/on4 0a3 a.?nowled6ed t0at
0e /3 not t0e natural -at0er o- J7 On top o- t0/34 t0e 2nd and Crd de-endant3 do not d/3pute t0/3
-a.t7
2) A3 to t0e pla/nt/--3 .ontent/on t0at t0e "e6/3trat/on o- Adopt/on3 A.t 1;E2 @A.t 2ECB doe3 not
apply to Mu3l/m34 t0ere /3 no eDpre33 pro#/3/on t0ere/n to de.lare t0/37 !0u34 t0e 2nd and Crd
de-endant3 were ent/tled to re6/3ter t0e adopt/on o- J under t0/3 A.t7
2) A3 t0e 1 de-endant /3 not a trut0-ul w/tne334 t0ere /3 =l/ttle or no we/60t to 5e atta.0ed to= t0e
.la/m 5y t0e 13t de-endant t0at 30e d/d not .on3ent to t0/3 adopt/on 5y t0e 2nd and Crd
de-endant3 =e3pe./ally /n t0e l/60t o- ot0er e#/den.e a3 to 0er .ondu.t=7
2) !0e pla/nt/--3 .on3ent to t0e re6/3trat/on o- t0e adopt/on o- J /3 unne.e33ary 3/n.e t0e
%uard/an30/p o- :n-ant A.t4 1;+1 @%:AB t0ou60 5e3tow/n6 upon t0e pla/nt/--4 a3 t0e -at0er o- t0e
.0/ld4 e2ual r/60t a3 t0at o- t0e mot0er4 /3 not appl/.a5le to an /lle6/t/mate .0/ld l/?e J7
2) !0e 2nd and Crd de-endant3 0a#/n6 -ul-/lled all t0e .ond/t/on3 and re2u/rement3 under 37 + o-
A.t 2EC were 2ual/-/ed to apply -or t0e re6/3trat/on o- t0e adopt/on o- J7
2) !0e Et0 de-endant wa3 duty 5ound to a..ept t0e 3tatutory de.larat/on o- t0e 13t de-endant
.on3ent/n6 to t0e adopt/on o- J 5y t0e 2nd and Crd de-endant3 =e3pe./ally w0en t0e would 5e
adopt/#e mot0er /3 t0e 3/3ter o- t0e .0/ld'3 natural mot0er7=
C*&') *; A<<5$=
."1/ &/33at/3-/ed w/t0 t0e de./3/on o- t0e $/60 Court4 5ot0 t0e pla/nt/-- and t0e 13t de-endant appealed to t0e
Court o- Appeal7 !0e Court o- Appeal not only d/3m/33ed t0e3e appeal3 5ut al3o re#er3ed t0e order o- t0e
E
$/60 Court 6rant/n6 t0e pla/nt/--3 2nd prayerF t0at t0e 5/rt0 .ert/-/.ate o- J to 5e re.t/-/ed7 !0e pla/nt/--3 13t
prayer wa3 ma/nta/ned 5y t0e Court o- Appeal7
.""/ !0e rea3on3 6/#en 5y t0e Court o- Appeal wereF
3) !0e purported marr/a6e 5etween t0e pla/nt/-- and t0e 13t de-endant /n La3 Ve6a3 /3 #o/d 3/n.e
t0e 13t de-endant4 at t0at mater/al t/me4 wa3 3t/ll marr/ed to Jo0n >un67
3) A.t 2EC appl/e3 to Mu3l/m37
3) !0e -/nd/n6 5y t0e $/60 Court t0at t0e 13t de-endant 0ad 6/#en 0er .on3ent to 2nd and Crd
de-endant3 to adopt J 30ould not 5e d/3tur5ed7
3) A3 t0e pla/nt/-- wa3 not l/3ted a3 t0e natural -at0er o- J at t0e t/me w0en t0e appl/.at/on -or
adopt/on wa3 made4 0/3 .on3ent wa3 not rele#ant7
3) !0e E de-endant 0ad eDer./3ed 0/3 d/3.ret/on /n d/3pen3/n6 w/t0 t0e .on3ent and pre3en.e o-
any parent dur/n6 t0e adopt/on pro.eed/n6 o- J7 !0ou60 Aart wa3 named a3 J'3 -at0er4 0e wa3
not .onta.ta5le7 And t0/3 wa3 de.lared /n t0e 13t de-endant'3 3tatutory de.larat/on7
3) !0e 6rant/n6 o- any ot0er prayer3 re2ue3ted 5y t0e pla/nt/--=would not 5e /n t0e 5e3t /ntere3t o-
t0e .0/ld .on.erned7=
&5>)-*%> <*>5+
."!/ !0e -ollow/n6 were t0e 2ue3t/on3 po3ed to t0/3 CourtF
1) = 80et0er t0e appellant -at0er'3 @pla/nt/--B .on3ent 30ould 5e o5ta/ned -or t0e re6/3trat/on o- adopt/on o-
0/3 3on under t0e "e6/3trat/on o- Adopt/on3 A.t 1;E27
1) 27 80et0er 37 + o- t0e "e6/3trat/on o- Adopt/on3 A.t 1;E2 30ould 5e read 3u.0 t0at w0ere t0ere are
two parent3 l/#/n64 5ot0 parent3' .on3ent 30ould 5e 3ou60t -or t0e re6/3trat/on o- adopt/on o- a .0/ld
under t0e "e6/3trat/on o- Adopt/on3 A.t 1;E27
1) C7 :n d/3pen3/n6 w/t0 .on3ent o- any parent to t0e re6/3trat/on o- t0e adopt/on under t0e "e6/3trat/on o-
t0e Adopt/on A.t 1;E24 t0e wel-are pr/n./ple w0/.0 t0e "e6/3trar mu3t apply /n eDer./3/n6 0/3 d/3.ret/on
under t0e pro#/3o to 37 + o- t0e "e6/3trat/on o- Adopt/on A.t 1;E2 /3 t0e wel-are o- t0e .0/ld /n adopt/on
.a3e3 and not .u3tody .a3e37
1) 80et0er t0e r/60t3 o- t0e appellant @pla/nt/--B4 t0e 5/olo6/.al -at0er4 rema/n and are not eDt/n6u/30ed
de3p/te t0e re6/3trat/on o- t0e adopt/on o- t0e .0/ld=7
&5>)-*%> 1? @:5):5' ):5 $<<5==$%) ;$):5''> (<=$-%)-;;>) ,*%>5%) >:*&=+ A5 *A)$-%5+ )* ):5 '52->)'$)-*%
*; $+*<)-*% *; :-> >*% &%+5' ):5 R52->)'$)-*% *; A+*<)-*%> A,) 196"B
."3/ M/33 ,oo4 .oun3el -or t0e pla/nt/--4 ar6ued t0at t0e pla/nt/--3 .on3ent 30ould 0a#e 5een 3ou60t 5e-ore t0e
Et0 de-endant appro#e3 t0e re6/3trat/on o- J'3 adopt/on7 S0e po/nted out t0at under t0e %uard/an30/p o-
:n-ant3 A.t 1;+1 @=%:A=B4 @w0/.0 .ame /nto e--e.t on 1 O.to5er 1;;;B4 t0e -at0er and mot0er 0a#e t0e 3ame
r/60t3 and aut0or/ty o#er t0e .0/ld7 !0/3 /3 .on-erred 5y 37 E @1B o- %:A w0/.0 3ay3F
=:n relat/on to t0e .u3tody or up5r/n6/n6 o- an /n-ant or t0e adm/n/3trat/on o- any property 5elon6/n6 to or 0eld /n tru3t -or
an /n-ant or t0e appl/.at/on o- t0e /n.ome o- any 3u.0 property4 a mot0er 30all 0a#e t0e 3ame r/60t3 and aut0or/ty a3 t0e
law =a3 t0e law allow3 to a -at0er4 and t0e r/60t3 and aut0or/ty o- mot0er and -at0er 30all 5e e2ual7= @r/or to 1 O.to5er
1;;;4 3u.0 r/60t3 and aut0or/ty were only a..orded to t0e mot0erB7
."6/ 80en 3u.0 r/60t3 and aut0or/ty are .on-erred upon t0e pla/nt/-- a3 t0e natural -at0er o- J4 t0en a..ord/n6
to M/33 ,oo t0e pla/nt/--3 .on3ent 30ould 5e 3ou60t7 S/n.e t0/3 ne#er too? pla.e4 J'3 adopt/on /3 /n#al/d7
."7/ Mr7 "a#/4 .oun3el -or t0e 2nd and Crd de-endant34 0owe#er ar6ued t0at %:A doe3 not apply to an
/lle6/t/mate .0/ld7 And t0/3 .an 5e -ound /n 37 1 @CB o- t0e %:A a3 well a3 /n a num5er o- de./ded aut0or/t/e37
."#/ S7 1 @CBo- t0e %:A read3F
=Not0/n6 /n t0/3 A.t 30all apply /n any State to per3on3 pro-e33/n6 t0e rel/6/on o- :3lam unt/l t0/3 A.t 0a3 5een adopted
+
5y a law made 5y t0e Le6/3lature o- t0at StateG and any 3u.0 law may pro#/de t0atF'
1a) Not0/n6 /n t0/3 A.t w0/.0 /3 .ontrary to t0e rel/6/on o- :3lam or t0e .u3tom o- t0e Malay3 30all apply to
any per3on under t0e a6e o- e/60teen year3 w0o pro-e33e3 t0e rel/6/on o- :3lam and w0o3e -at0er
pro-e33e3 or pro-e33ed at t0e date o- 0/3 deat0 t0at rel/6/on or4 /n t0e .a3e o- an /lle6/t/mate .0/ld4
w0o3e mot0er 3o pro-e33e3 or pro-e33ed t0at rel/6/on7=
."8/ !0e /33ue 0ere /3 not rel/6/on a3 5ot0 t0e pla/nt/-- and t0e 13t de-endant are non Mu3l/m37 !0e .ontent/on
/3 t0e le6/t/ma.y o- JF /- J /3 /lle6/t/mate4 would %:A .on-er upon t0e pla/nt/-- a parental r/60t o#er J and4 /- 3o4
w0et0er t0e pla/nt/--3 .on3ent wa3 re2u/red -or t0e purpo3e o- J'3 adopt/on7
."9/ ) :t /3 not /n d/3pute t0at J /3 /lle6/t/mate7 80en 0e wa3 5orn4 5ot0 t0e pla/nt/-- and 13t de-endant were not
marr/ed to ea.0 ot0er7 :t wa3 de./ded /n "e %alasin"am & Paravathy4 :n-ant3 Kannamah v Palani @1;*0B 2
MLJ *E4 t0at t0e .ourt 0a3 no Hur/3d/.t/on to enterta/n an appl/.at/on 5y t0e natural mot0er -or t0e .u3tody o-
0er /lle6/t/mate .0/ld under %:A7 !0e rea3on wa3 t0ere 5e/n6 no pro#/3/on under t0/3 A.t to pro#/de -or an
/lle6/t/mate .0/ld4 and t0/3 =propo3/t/on /3 -ort/-/ed 5y t0e re3pondent'3 ar6ument3 on t0e .orre.t .on3tru.t/on
o- t0e word3 =-at0er= and =mot0er= /n 3e.t/on3 E and +7 ,urt0ermore4 adopt/n6 t0e approa.0 ta?en 5y
V/3.ount S/mond3 /n &alloway v &alloway /t /3 3a-er to 3ay t0at =/n-ant= mean3 le6/t/mate /n-ant unle33 t0ere
/3 3ome repu6nan.y or /n.on3/3ten.y and not merely 3ome #/olat/on o- a moral o5l/6at/on or o- a pro5a5le
/ntent/on re3ult/n6 -rom 3o /nterpret/n6 t0e word7 A..ord/n6ly4 3/n.e none o- t0e word3 =-at0er= or =mot0er= or
=/n-ant= .an 5e .on3trued to mean /lle6/t/mate /n-ant or t0e .-e -a.to parent3 o- -==52-)-4$)5 ,:-=+'5%, /t mu3t
5e .on.luded t0at t0e A.t doe3 not apply to =-==52-)-4$)5 ,:-=+'5%=7
.!0/ !0/3 propo3/t/on wa3 -ollowed /n ' v ( @1;;CB 1 MLJ 1+<4 a de./3/on o- t0e $/60 Court w0ere S0an?ar J
@a3 0e t0en wa3B 3a/dF
=O- .our3e /n a .a3e w0ere /lle6/t/ma.y /3 .lear4 and t0ere ne#er wa3 any 2ue3t/on o- a marr/a6e e/t0er de -a.to or
deHure7 : would re3pe.t-ully a6ree w/t0 t0e .ourt /n "e %alasin"am an! Paravathy4 5ut only to t0e eDtent t0at t0e natural
mot0er o- an /lle6/t/mate .0/ld /3 t0e per3on /n w0om t0e parental r/60t3 and dut/e3 w/ll #e3t eD.lu3/#ely4 /n t0e a53en.e
o- a .ourt order7=
.!1/ :n anot0er $/60 Court .a3e o-)ow Pa* +o$n" v 'an Ko* Keon" @1;;<B 1 CLJ Supp CE*4 A9/9 J @a3 0e
t0en wa3B #/ewed /t /n t0/3 mannerF
=Su5'3e.t/on @2B@aB (-ormerly 37 1@2B) doe3 not pro#e t0at arl/ament /ntended to .0an6e t0e law -rom w0at /t 0ad 5een
under t0e 1;CE Ord/nan.e @%uard/an30/p o- :n-ant3 Ord/nan.e o- t0e Stra/t3 Settlement3B7 Certa/nly /t doe3 not pro#e
t0at arl/ament /ntended t0at under 3e.t/on E o- t0e 1;+1 A.t t0e -at0er o- an /lle6/t/mate .0/ld 30ould 5e t0e 6uard/an o-
t0e .0/ld7 ,or t0at eDpre33 word3 are ne.e33ary7
Ne/t0er ou60t t0e om/33/on o- t0e word 'law-ul' -rom 3e.t/on + to 5e .on3trued a3 denot/n6 t0at arl/ament /ntended to
e--e.t a .0an6e /n t0e law -rom w0at /t 0ad 5een under t0e 1;CE Ord/nan.e7 A3 : 3a/d4 t0e 0appy ./r.um3tan.e o- t0e
pre3en.e o- t0e word 'law-ul' /n 3e.t/on + o- t0e Ord/nan.e /3 an /nd/.at/on t0at 3e.t/on E al3o /ntended to re-er to t0e
-at0er o- a le6/t/mate .0/ld7 !0e om/33/on o- t0e word 'law-ul' -rom 3e.t/on + /n t0e 1;+1 A.t ou60t not 5e .on3trued a3
denot/n6 a .0an6e o- /ntent/on7 :t /3 not 3a-e to 3o .on3true7 ,or 3u.0 rad/.al .0an6e /n t0e law4 t0ere mu3t 5e eDpre33
word3 to 6/#e e--e.t to /t7
: am t0ere-ore o- t0e #/ew t0at 3e.t/on E o- t0e 1;+1 A.t /3 /ntended to apply to a law-ul -at0er and t0at a..ord/n6ly t0e
-at0er o- an /lle6/t/mate .annot .la/m 6uard/an30/p under /t7=
.!"/ S/m/lar rul/n6 wa3 al3o made /n t0e .a3e o-Khor )ian" Keow v 'ee ,in" Koo* @1;;+B 2 CLJ +C14 5y
Iul?e-l/ Ma?/nud/n JC @a3 0e t0en wa3B7
.!!/ !0ere are 0owe#er two $/60 Court de./3/on3 w0/.0 d/3a6ree w/t0 t0e a5o#e7 !0ey 0a#e ruled t0at %:A
appl/e3 to an /lle6/t/mate .0/ld7 !0e/r rea3on3 are a3 -ollow3F
.!3/ :n)ow Pe* Nai v Koh #hye &$an @1;;EB 1 MLJ 2C<4 2104 $/30amud/n J @a3 0e t0en wa3B .ontended
t0atF
=8/t0 6reate3t re3pe.t to t0e #/ew3 o- t0e learned Hud6e /n "e %alasin"am4 /n t0e pre3ent .a3e4 : propo3e to adopt a
d/--erent #/ew7 Unl/?e t0e En6l/30 A.t34 our A.t doe3 re-er to -==52-)-4$)5 ,:-=+'5% and 3u.0 re-eren.e .an 5e -ound /n
t0e appl/.at/on 3e.t/on7 Se.t/on 1 @CB 3tate3F
!0e a5o#e pro#/3/on4 /t w/ll 5e noted4 .ontemplate3 t0at t0e 3tate le6/3lature may pro#/de -or t0e A.t to 5e appl/.a5le to
*
Mu3l/m .0/ldren re6ardle33 o- w0et0er t0e .0/ld /3 le6/t/mate or /lle6/t/mate to t0e eDtent t0at 3u.0 an appl/.at/on /3 not
.ontrary to :3lam/. law7 Now4 /- t0/3 pro#/3/on .ontemplate3 3u.0 an appl/.at/on a3 re6ard3 to Mu3l/m .0/ldren4 t0en4 /n
my #/ew4 t0e A.t mu3t apply to .0/ldren4 6enerally le6/t/mate or /lle6/t/mate7
:4 t0ere-ore4 rule t0at t0e A.t appl/e3 al3o to -==52-)-4$)5 ,:-=+'5% and t0at4 /n t0e pre3ent .a3e4 : 0a#e Hur/3d/.t/on to
0ear t0e appl/.at/on=7
.!6/ !0e neDt /3 t0e de./3/on 5y Je--ery !an J @a3 0e t0en wa3B /n Sinna*ar$ppi Peria*ar$ppan v %ath$malai
Krishnan @2001B 2 CLJ 1CE4 1C; 7 !0e -ollow/n6 were 0/3 #/ew3F
=:ndeed4 /n t0e l/60t o- t0e late3t amendment3 to t0e %:A @3ee %uard/an30/p o- :n-ant3 @AmendmentB A.t 1;;; e--e.t/#e
1 O.to5er 1;;;B4 and t0e 3u53t/tut/on o- t0e -ormer 37 E 5y an alto6et0er new 37 E pro#/d/n6 -or e2ual/ty o- parental
r/60t34 t0ere /3 le33 rea3on to dou5t t0at t0e %:A /n t0e pre3ent -orm doe3 not apply to -==52-)-4$)5 ,:-=+'5%B re3ently4
t0e po3/t/on /n En6land /3 t0at =t0e 3tatutory pro#/3/on3 relat/n6 to order3 -or .u3tody o-4 and r/60t3 o- a33e33 to4 a m/nor
on t0e appl/.at/on o- a mot0er or -at0er apply /n relat/on to a3 a m/nor w0o /3 /lle6/t/mate a3 t0ey apply /n relat/on to a
m/nor w0o /3 le6/t/mate= @$al35ury'3 Law o- En6land4 1t0 edn4 para E1<B7 er0ap3 /t would re2u/re -urt0er 3tudy4 5ut
)ow Pe* Nai v Koh #hye &$an m/60t 0a#e -ortu/tou3ly and .orre.tly 3tated t0e law7=
.!7/ A3 .orre.tly o53er#ed /n "e %alasin"am @3upraB4 t0ere /3 a=remar?a5le a53en.e o- any re-eren.e to
-==52-)-4$)5 ,:-=+'5% ot0er t0an /n t0e a5o#e ment/oned 3e.t/on 1 @2B @aB @now .0an6ed to 37 1 @CB @aB7= Aut
t0en4 one .annot /6nore t0e -a.t t0at t0/3 word =/lle6/t/mate= appear3 /n 37 1 @CB @aB o- %:A 1;+17 Unden/a5ly4
t0/3 word 0ere /3 u3ed -or t0e purpo3e o- eD.lud/n6 all mot0er3 w0o pro-e33e3 or pro-e33ed t0e :3lam/. -a/t0
-rom t0e 5ene-/t3 o- t0e pro#/3/on3 o- t0/3 A.t7 Aut w0y d/d arl/ament 3/n6le out an /lle6/t/mate .0/ld o- a
mot0er w0o pro-e33e3 or pro-e33ed t0e :3lam/. rel/6/onJ :- arl/ament 0ad /ntended t0/3 A.t to apply only to a
le6/t/mate .0/ld /t .ould 0a#e ?ept 3/lent on t0e /33ue o- le6/t/ma.y /n t0/3 3e.t/on l/?e /n t0e rema/n/n6 part o-
t0e A.t7 !0ere /3 no ne.e33/ty to eDpre33 t0/3 to .o#er an /lle6/t/mate .0/ld /n 37 1 @CB @aB7 Ay 3pe./-/.ally
0/60l/60t/n6 t0/3 to 3ay t0at =/n t0e .a3e o- an /lle6/t/mate .0/ld= /t mu3t 0a#e 5een /ntended4 /n our op/n/on4 to
5e a rem/nder4 not to eD.lude t0o3e w0o are /lle6/t/mate7 !0u34 t0/3 A.t 30ould apply to all .0/ldren4 le6/t/mate
a3 well a3 /lle6/t/mate7 Ot0erw/3e4 we 3ee no rea3on4 w0y an /lle6/t/mate .0/ld /3 3/n6led out -or ment/on /n 37
1 @CB @aB %:A7
.!#/ :n "e %alasin"am4 t0e rat/onale -or eD.lud/n6 an /lle6/t/mate .0/ld4 de3p/te t0e pre3en.e o- t0e word
'/lle6/t/mate' /n 37 1 @2B @aB @now 37 1 @CB @aBB %:A 1;+14 wa3 5e.au3e t0e .ourt3 /n En6land 0ad /nterpreted t0e
En6l/30 %uard/an30/p A.t3 o- a '-at0er' and 'mot0er' to 5e only t0o3e law-ully marr/edG t0u3 t0e/r .0/ld /3
le6/t/mate7 And t0/3 wa3 u3ed /n t0at .a3e to 3upport t0e propo3/t/on t0at /t /3 t0e 3ame /n Malay3/a7Aut t0/3
approa.0 pla/nly /6nore3 t0e -a.t t0at we 0a#e /n Malay3/a our own %:A w0/.0 .onta/n3 37 1 @CB @aB7 And t0/3
pro#/3/on 3pe./-/.ally eDpre33e3 =/n t0e .a3e o- an /lle6/t/mate .0/ld=7 8e are o- t0e #/ew t0at t0ere /3 no
re2u/rement -or u3 to loo? -urt0er t0an t0/3 pro#/3/on e3pe./ally to 37 E o- %:A4 l/?e w0at wa3 done /n )ow Pa*
+o$n" v 'an Ko* Keon" @3upraB to de./de on w0et0er t0e %:A /n.lude3 or eD.lude3 an /lle6/t/mate .0/ld7 8e
.on.lude t0at t0e word/n63 o- 3 1 @CB @aB o- t0e %:A /3 3u--/./ent to /mply t0at t0/3 A.t appl/e3 to an /lle6/t/mate
.0/ld7
.!8/ o33e33/n6 3u.0 r/60t and aut0or/ty e2u/#alent to t0at o- t0e 1 de-endant o#er J /3 one t0/n6 5ut w0et0er
t0e .on3ent o- t0e pla/nt/-- wa3 re2u/red -or t0e purpo3e o- t0e re6/3trat/on o- t0/3 adopt/on /3 anot0er7 At t0e
t/me w0en t0e 2nd and Crd de-endant3 made t0e/r appl/.at/on to re6/3ter t0e adopt/on o- J4 t0e pla/nt/-- wa3
not ?nown to 5e t0e 5/olo6/.al -at0er o- J7 J'3 -at0er wa3 l/3ted /n J'3 5/rt0 .ert/-/.ate a3 Aart7 :t wa3 only a-ter
t0e adopt/on wa3 made and 3u53e2uent &NA te3t .ondu.ted4 t0at t0e pla/nt/-- wa3 .on-/rmed a3 t0e
5/olo6/.al -at0er o- J7 :- t0e pla/nt/-- wa3 not ?nown or .on-/rmed to 5e t0e -at0er o- J w0en t0e appl/.at/on -or
t0e re6/3trat/on o- t0e adopt/on wa3 made4 t0en 0/3 .on3ent wa3 /rrele#ant7 Ay t0/3 dedu.t/on4 our an3wer to
t0e -/r3t 2ue3t/on /3 /n t0e ne6at/#e7
&5>)-*% "? @:5):5' >B 7 *; A,) "6! >:*&=+ A5 '5$+ >&,: ):$) C:5'5 )C* <$'5%)> $'5 =-v-%2, A*):
<$'5%)>' ,*%>5%) >:*&=+ A5 >*&2:) ;*' ):5 '52->)'$)-*% *; ):5 $+*<)-*% *; $ ,:-=+ &%+5' ):-> A,)D
.!9/ !o an3wer t0/34 we turn to 37 + o- A.t 2EC w0/.0 read3F
ER52->)'$)-*% *; +5 ;$,)* $+*<)-*%>
+
<
2) 80ere at t0e date w0en appl/.at/on -or re6/3trat/on /3 made any .0/ld under t0e a6e o- e/60teen year3
w0o 0a3 ne#er 5een marr/ed /3 /n t0e .u3tody o-4 and /3 5e/n6 5rou60t up4 ma/nta/ned and edu.ated
5y any per3on4 or 5y two 3pou3e3 Ho/ntly4 a3 0/34 0er or t0e/r own .0/ld under any de -a.to adopt/on4
and 0a3 -or a per/od o- not le33 t0an two year3 .ont/nuou3ly and /mmed/ately 5e-ore t0e date o- 3u.0
appl/.at/on 5een /n 3u.0 .u3tody and 0a3 5een 3o 5rou60t up4 ma/nta/ned and edu.ated4 t0e "e6/3trar
may4 upon t0e appl/.at/on4 /n t0e -orm /n t0e ,/r3t S.0edule4 o- 3u.0 per3on or 3pou3e34 re6/3ter t0e
adopt/on /-'
1. 3u.0 per3on or 3pou3e3 and t0e .0/ld 30all appear 5e-ore t0e "e6/3trar and 30all produ.e to
t0e "e6/3trar 3u.0 e#/den.e e/t0er oral or do.umentary a3 may 3at/3-y t0e "e6/3trar t0at 3u.0
adopt/on too? pla.eG
1. t0e parent3 or one o- t0e parent34 or4 /- 5ot0 parent3 are dead or /- ne/t0er o- t0e parent3 /3
w/t0/n en/n3ular Malay3/a4 any 6uard/an o- t0e .0/ld 30all appear 5e-ore t0e "e6/3trar and
eDpre33 .on3ent to t0e adopt/onG
1. ro#/ded t0at /- t0e "e6/3trar /3 3at/3-/ed t0at /n all t0e ./r.um3tan.e3 o- t0e .a3e /t /3 Hu3t and
e2u/ta5le and -or t0e wel-are o- t0e .0/ld 0e may d/3pen3e w/t0 t0e .on3ent o- any parent or
.u3tod/an o- t0e .0/ld or w/t0 t0e appearan.e o- any parent or .u3tod/an w0o 30all 0a#e
3/6n/-/ed 0/3 .on3ent 5y 3tatutory de.larat/onG and
1. t0e pre3.r/5ed -ee3 are pa/d7
1
2) !0e "e6/3trar 30all re6/3ter an adopt/on 5y enter/n6 t0e part/.ular3 t0ereo- /n t0e re6/3ter7=
.30/ A..ord/n6 to M/33 ,oo4 t0/3 pro#/3/on demand3F
.31/ 8/t0 re3pe.t4 we do not 3u53.r/5e ent/rely to t0/3 /nterpretat/on7 A3/de -rom t0e ot0er 2ual/-/.at/on3
demanded /n 37 + o- A.t 2EC4 re6ard/n6 t0e appearan.e 5e-ore t0e "e6/3trar @not at t0/3 3ta6e ta?/n6 /nto
a..ount t0e pro#/3oB t0e -ollow/n6 are re2u/redF
1a) t0e per3on or t0e 3pou3e3 w0o w/30 to adopt t0e .0/ld mu3t to6et0er w/t0 t0e propo3ed .0/ld to
5e adopted appear 5e-ore t0e "e6/3trarG
1b) =t0e parent3 or one o- t0e parent3= mu3t appear to eDpre33 0/3/0er or t0e/r .on3ent to t0e
adopt/onG or /- 5ot0 are dead or /- ne/t0er o- t0em are w/t0/n en/n3ular Malay3/a4 t0en any
6uard/an o- t0e .0/ld .an appear to 6/#e 0/3 .on3ent to t0e adopt/on7
.3"/ "e6ard/n6 t0e 3e.ond .ate6ory .on.ern/n6 =or one o- t0e parent3= .an appear 5e-ore t0e "e6/3trar4 we
.annot 3ee 0ow M/33 ,oo .an /nterpret t0/3 to add a 2ual/-/.at/on t0at t0e ot0er parent /3 =no lon6er al/#e=7
!0ere /3 Hu3t no word or word3 to t0/3 e--e.t /n t0/3 3e.t/on7 !0/3 3e.t/on pla/nly 3ay3 =or one o- t0e parent3=7
8/t0 3u.0 de3.r/pt/on4 /t 3/mply mean3 any one parent w/t0out t0e need to pro#e t0at t0e ot0er /3 e/t0er dead
or .annot 5e -ound7 80en word3 0ere are pre./3e and unam5/6uou3 t0en t0e l/teral and 3tr/.t .on3tru.t/on
rule mu3t apply7 8e .annot read or /mply /nto t0e law3 w0at /3 not t0ere ' 3ee -on" Pot +en" & Anor. v
.ainal Ai/i!in P$tih @1;;0B 1 MLJ 1107
.3!/ Aut /n t0/3 .a3e ne/t0er parent3 o- t0e .0/ld appeared7 A..ord/n6 to t0e Et0 de-endant 0e /n#o?ed t0e
pro#/3o under 37 + @1B o- A.t 2EC 3/n.e 0e wa3 3at/3-/ed t0at =/n all t0e ./r.um3tan.e3 o- t0e .a3e /t /3 Hu3t and
e2u/ta5le and -or t0e wel-are o- t0e .0/ld 0e may d/3pen3e w/t0 t0e .on3ent o- any parent or .u3tod/an o- t0e
.0/ld or w/t0 t0e appearan.e o- any parent or .u3tod/an w0o 30all 0a#e 3/6n/-/ed 0/3 .on3ent 5y 3tatutory
de.larat/on7=
.33/ M/33 ,oo 0owe#er ar6ued ot0erw/3e7 S0e /3 o- t0e #/ew t0at t0e Et0 de-endant wa3 re2u/red to do more
t0an Hu3t peru3e t0e do.ument3 5e-ore 0e .an eDempt t0e pre3en.e and .on3ent o- t0e parent or parent37
S0e 3upported t0/3 ar6ument 5y .la/m/n6 t0at 37 10 o- A.t 2EC re2u/re3 t0e Et0 de-endant to ?eep a note'
5oo? and mu3t re.ord =all e#/den.e ta?en 5y 0/m @"e6/3trarB /n any pro.eed/n6 under t0/3 A.t= /n t0/3 note'
5oo? ' 37 E o- A.t 2EC7 !0/3 re2u/rement /mpl/e3 t0at t0e Et0 de-endant /3 re2u/red to /n#e3t/6ate 5e-ore 0e
eDer./3e3 0/3 r/60t3 o- eDempt/on7
.36/ !o deal w/t0 t0/34 we -/r3t loo? at 37 10 @1B o- A.t 2EC w0/.0 3ay3F
=:- t0e "e6/3trar /3 not 3at/3-/ed o- t0e trut0 o- any 3tatement made to 0/m 0e may re-u3e to re6/3ter t0e adopt/on or /- 0e
re2u/re3 e#/den.e w/t0 re6ard to any part/.ular3 re2u/red to 5e re6/3tered 0e may po3tpone re6/3trat/on and 0e may .all
-or any -urt0er e#/den.e t0at 0e t0/n?3 ne.e33aryG
;
ro#/ded t0at t0e "e6/3trar 30all re.ord /n t0e "e6/3trar'3 note'5oo? 0/3 rea3on3 -or any 3u.0 re-u3al
or po3tponement=
.37/ And t0en /n 37 E o- A.t 2ECG
=E#ery "e6/3trar appo/nted under t0/3 A.t 30all ?eep a re6/3ter /n t0e -orm /n t0e Se.ond S.0edule and 0e 30all enter
t0ere/n t0e part/.ular3 to 5e re6/3tered .on.ern/n6 t0e adopt/on and 0e 30all al3o ?eep a 5oo? .alled t0e "e6/3trar'3
note'5oo? /n w0/.0 0e 30all re.ord /n 0/3 own 0and all pro.eed/n63 /n re3pe.t o- t0e re6/3trat/on o- any adopt/on4 t0e
deta/l3 o- t0e /dent/ty o- t0e adopted .0/ld4 t0e name o- t0e per3on4 =adopt/n6 /t4 t0e name o- t0e per3on= /- any4
.on3ent/n6 to t0e adopt/on and all e#/den.e ta?en 5y 0/m /n any 3u.0 pro.eed/n6 under t0/3 A.t7=
.3#/ !0e3e pro#/3/on3 -/r3tly .ater -or 3/tuat/on3 w0ere t0e Et0 de-endant /3 d/33at/3-/ed w/t0 t0e trut0 o- any
3tatement made to 0/m7 Se.ondly4 /t re.ord3 all part/.ular3 o- t0e re6/3trat/on -or t0e adopt/on7 So 5e-ore t0e
Et0 de-endant re.ord3 0/3 rea3on -or re-u3/n6 to re6/3ter t0e adopt/on /n 0/3 note'5oo?4 0e mu3t -oremo3t 5e
d/33at/3-/ed7 Aut /n t0/3 .a3e4 t0ere /3 no e#/den.e t0at 0e wa3 d/33at/3-/ed7 E#en /- 0e wa3 d/33at/3-/ed4 t0e3e
two 3e.t/on3 o- A.t 2EC do not4 /n our op/n/on4 .on-er upon 0/m a duty to /n#e3t/6ate t0e trut0 o- t0e 3tatement
pre3ented to 0/m7 All t0at /3 ne.e33ary /3 to re-u3e re6/3trat/on7 ,urt0er4 under 37 < o- A.t 2ECF
3) = E#ery per3on w0o 6/#e3 e#/den.e 5e-ore t0e "e6/3trar 30all 5e 5ound to 3tate t0e trut0 and to
an3wer trut0-ully all 2ue3t/on3 w0/.0 t0e "e6/3trar may put to 0/m7
3) Any per3on w0o 6/#e3 any e#/den.e /n any en2u/ry under t0/3 A.t w0/.0 0e ?now3 to 5e untrue4 or
w0o doe3 any ot0er a.t4 w0/.0 /- done /n a Hud/./al pro.eed/n6 would 5e pun/30a5le under C0apter K:
o- t0e enal Code (A.t E*1)4 30all 5e pun/30a5le on .on#/.t/on a3 pro#/ded /n t0at C0apter /n t0e 3ame
way a3 /- t0e a.t 0ad 5een done /n or /n relat/on to a Hud/./al pro.eed/n67=
.38/ 8e 30all now turn to t0e /33ue o- t0e aut0ent/./ty o- t0e 3tatutory de.larat/on7 !0e 3/6n/-/.an.e o- t0/3
de.larat/on /3 t0at t0e Et0 de-endant .an d/3pen3e w/t0 t0e re2u/rement o- t0e appearan.e o- t0e parent3 or
one o- t0em and t0e/r or 0/3 .on3ent to t0e re6/3trat/on o- t0e adopt/on7 A3 we 0a#e eDpre33ed earl/er4 t0e tr/al
Jud6e a3.erta/ned t0e trut0 o- t0/3 5y pre-err/n6 one #er3/on /n t0e a--/da#/t to t0at o- anot0er /n3tead o-
de./d/n6 t0/3 5y way o- #/#a #o.e e#/den.e7 :n t0e l/60t o- t0/3 we return to w0at wa3 3a/d 5y t0e r/#y Coun./l
/n 'ay %o* #hoon v 'ahansan S!n %h! @1;<*B 1 MLJ 1CC F
=/- alle6at/on3 are made on a--/da#/t3 5y t0e pet/t/oner and t0o3e alle6at/on3 are .red/ta5ly den/ed 5y t0e re3pondent'3
a--/da#/t34 t0en /n t0e a53en.e o- oral e#/den.e or .ro33'eDam/nat/on4 t0e Hud6e mu3t /6nore t0e d/3puted alle6at/on37
!0e Hud6e mu3t t0en de./de t0e -ate o- t0e pet/t/on 5y .on3/derat/on o- t0e und/3puted -a.t37=
.39/ U3/n6 t0/3 a3 a 6u/de4 we -/r3t 3eparated t0e d/3puted -a.t3 -rom t0e und/3puted7 80at /3 d/3puted /3 t0e
.la/m 5y t0e 13t de-endant t0at 30e d/d not 3/6n t0/3 3tatutory de.larat/on w0/l3t t0e 2nd and Crd de-endant3
/n3/3ted t0at 30e d/d 3o #oluntar/ly7 !0ere /3 0owe#er no d/3pute t0at 3u.0 a do.ument eD/3ted and t0at /t wa3
pre3ented to t0e Et0 de-endant7 ,urt0er4 t0ere wa3 no d/3pute t0at t0/3 do.ument 5ear3 two 3/6nature3 w0/.0
were atte3ted 5y t0e Comm/33/oner -or Oat03 and t0e name o- t0e per3on w0o 0ad 3/6ned t0/3 do.ument
wa3 t0e 13t de-endant7 Add/n6 to t0/34 t0ere /3 no d/3pute t0at t0ere wa3 a Comm/33/oner -or Oat03 and 0e
too 3/6ned on t0/3 do.ument a3 a w/tne33 to t0e per3on w0o eDe.uted t0/3 do.ument7 Al3o not /n d/3pute /3
t0e -a.t t0at t0/3 Comm/33/oner -or Oat03 0ad a--/Ded 0/3 3tamp 5ear/n6 0/3 name and re6/3trat/on on t0/3
do.ument7 Aa3ed on t0e3e und/3puted -a.t3 and /6nor/n6 t0o3e t0at are d/3puted4 a -/nd/n6 .an 5e rea.0ed
t0at 3u.0 a do.ument eD/3ted 5ear/n6 t0e 3/6nature3 o- t0e ma?er w0o 5ear3 t0e 13t de-endant'3 name and
0er 3/6nature3 were atte3ted to 5y a re6/3tered Comm/33/oner -or Oat037
.60/ On.e t0/3 do.ument wa3 pre3ented to t0e Et0 de-endant4 0/3 duty wa3 to eDer./3e 0/3 d/3.ret/on 6ranted
to 0/m 5y t0e pro#/3o o- 37 + @1B o- A.t 2EC7 :n do/n6 3o 0e =mu3t apply /t3 @0/3B own m/nd to t0e -a.t3 and
./r.um3tan.e3 o- ea.0 .a3e and .ome to /t3 @0/3B own de./3/on7 :- aut0or/ty a.t3 w/t0out apply/n6 /t3 @0/3B
m/nd to t0e .a3e 5e-ore /t4 t0en t0e a.t/on or de./3/on ta?en 5y /t w/ll 5e 5ad 5e.au3e t0e aut0or/ty 0a3 not
eDer./3ed /t3 d/3.ret/on= ' 3ee ro-e33or M Ja/n /n 0/3 teDt 'Adm/n/3trat/#e Law o- Malay3/a and S/n6apore'4
Crd ed/t/on4 @a3 2uoted /n Awan" 'en"ah A& Amin v Sa/ah P$/li Servie #ommission & Anor. @1;;<B 2 CLJ
Supp 10;4 1C1 B7 A3/de -rom t0/34 0e mu3t ta?e /nto a..ount t0e -ollow/n6 -a.tor3F -/r3t4 all ./r.um3tan.e3 o-
t0e .a3eG 3e.ond4 /3 t0at /t /3 Hu3t and e2u/ta5le to do 3oG and t0/rd4 -or t0e wel-are o- t0e .0/ld to do 3o7
10
.61/ ,rom w0at we 0a#e d/3.u33ed earl/er4 we are o- t0e #/ew t0at t0e Et0 de-endant 0ad ta?en /nto a..ount
t0e rele#ant -a.tor3 and appl/ed t0em to t0e -a.t3 o- t0/3 .a3e 5e-ore .om/n6 to a de./3/on7 ,or t0/34 we 3ee
no rea3on to /nter-ere w/t0 w0at 0e 0a3 de./ded a3 /t wa3 done /n a..ordan.e w/t0 t0e law7
.6"/ ,or rea3on3 a-ore3a/d4 our an3wer to t0e 2nd 2ue3t/on /3 /n t0e ne6at/#e7
&5>)-*% !? I% +-><5%>-%2 C-): ,*%>5%) *; $%( <$'5%) )* ):5 '52->)'$)-*% *; ):5 $+*<)-*% &%+5' ):5
R52->)'$)-*% *; ):5 A+*<)-*%> A,) 196", ):5 C5=;$'5 <'-%,-<=5 C:-,: ):5 R52->)'$' 4&>) $<<=( -%
5F5',->-%2 :-> +->,'5)-*% &%+5' ):5 <'*v->* )* >B 7 *; ):5 R52->)'$)-*% *; A+*<)-*%> A,) 196" -> ):5
C5=;$'5 *; ):5 ,:-=+ -% $+*<)-*% ,$>5> $%+ %*) ,&>)*+( ,$>5>B
.6!/ A..ord/n6 to $al35ury'3 Law3 o- En6land4 1t0 ed/t/on4 re/33ue @Ma.?ay ed/t/onB4 para 11C t0e term4
=wel-are pr/n./ple= /3 a 3et o- -a.tor3 u3ed w0en =a .ourt determ/ne3 any 2ue3t/on w/t0 re3pe.t to t0e
up5r/n6/n6 o- a .0/ld or t0e adm/n/3trat/on o- a .0/ld'3 property or t0e appl/.at/on o- any /n.ome ar/3/n6 -rom /t4
t0e .0/ld'3 wel-are mu3t 5e t0e .ourt'3 paramount .on3/derat/on=7 :n t0e En6l/30 C0/ldren A.t 1;<;4 under t0e
0ead/n6 'wel-are o- t0e .0/ld' /3 a 3et o- -a.tor3 t0at mu3t 5e ta?en /nto a..ount w0en de./d/n6 on 3u.0 .a3e37
!0e3e are -or eDampleF t0e w/30e3 o- t0e .0/ldG 0/3 -eel/n63G 0/3 a6eG 0/3 3eD and 0/3 5a.?6round and t0e
.apa5/l/t/e3 o- t0e part/e3 /n#ol#ed7 !0u34 t0/3 term =wel-are pr/n./ple= relate3 to .erta/n -a.tor3 to 5e
.on3/dered and t0e/r pr/or/ty dur/n6 del/5erat/on /n 3u.0 .a3e37
.63/ !0/3 d/--eren.e /n appl/.at/on /3 /llu3trated /n "e %a/y , (an infant) @1;;1B 2 MLJ +CE4 w0ere V/3u
S/nnadura/ J 3a/dF
=One maHor pro5lem .on-ront/n6 t0e .ourt3 0a3 5een t0e 2ue3t/on o- t0e wel-are o- t0e .0/ld7 A3 3tated earl/er4 t0e
adopt/on pro.eed/n634 unl/?e t0e po3/t/on /n .u3tody .a3e34 t0e law pro#/de3 t0at t0e wel-are o- t0e .0/ld /3 only one o-
t0e -a.tor3 to 5e .on3/dered 5y t0e .ourtG w0erea3 /n .u3tody .a3e3 t0e wel-are o- t0e .0/ld /3 t0e ma/n .on3/derat/on7=
.66/ Aut we are not 0ere to .on3/der pr/or/t/e37 8e are deal/n6 w/t0 re6/3trat/on o- a de -a.to adopt/on o- a
.0/ld under A.t 2EC and under t0e pro#/3o o- 37 +4 t0e rele#ant -a.tor3 ne.e33ary -or .on3/derat/on re6ard/n6
d/3pen3at/on are eDpl/./tly 3et out7 :t en.ompa33e34 a3 we 0a#e 3tatedF all t0e ./r.um3tan.e3 o- t0e .a3eG /t /3
Hu3t and e2u/ta5leG and -or t0e wel-are o- t0e .0/ld7
.67/ And /n re3pe.t o- t0e wel-are o- t0e .0/ld4 we would adopt w0at wa3 3tated 5y C0an Se? >eon6 JC @a3
0e t0en wa3B /n t0e S/n6apore .a3e o- 'an Siew Kee v #h$a Ah %oey @1;<<B C MLJ 204 21 F
=!0e eDpre33/on 'wel-are' under 3e.t/on C o- t0e %uard/an30/p o- :n-ant A.t @Cap 1224 1;<E Ed7B /3 to 5e ta?en /n /t3
w/de3t 3en3e7 :t mean3 t0e 6eneral well'5e/n6 o- t0e .0/ld and all a3pe.t3 o- 0/3 up5r/n6/n64 rel/6/ou34 moral a3 well a3
p0y3/.al7 $/3 0app/ne334 .om-ort and 3e.ur/ty al3o 6o to ma?e up 0/3 well'5e/n67 A lo#/n6 parent w/t0 a 3ta5le 0ome /3
.ondu./#e to t0e atta/nment o- 3u.0 well'5e/n67 :t /3 not to 5e mea3ured /n monetary term37=
.6#/ And w0en del/5erat/n64 t0e .ourt 30ould adopt =a pro.e33 w0ere5y4 w0en all t0e rele#ant -a.t34
relat/on30/p4 .la/m3 and w/30e3 o- parent34 @and potent/al adopter3B r/3?34 .0o/.e3 and ot0er ./r.um3tan.e3
are ta?en /nto a..ount and we/60ted4 t0e .our3e to 5e -ollowed w/ll 5e t0at w0/.0 /3 mo3t /n t0e /ntere3t3 o-
t0e .0/ld'3 wel-are a3 t0at term 0a3 now to 5e under3tood= ' )or! ,aDermott in J v # @1;*0B AC ++< L *10'
*11 and $al35ury Law3 o- En6land 1t0 ed/t/on4 re/33ue4 @Ma.?ayB para 11C7
.68/ A3 we 0a#e 3u66e3ted4 t0e mean/n6 o- wel-are mu3t 5e .on3/dered /n t0e w/de3t 3en3e and all -a.tor3
ne.e33ary to 5e ta?en /nto a..ount mu3t 5e we/60ed a6a/n3t one anot0er to arr/#e at a de./3/on7 :t /3
/mpo33/5le -or u3 to lay down any 3pe./-/.3 3/n.e ./r.um3tan.e3 /n ea.0 .a3e are 3o /n-/n/tely #ar/ed w0ere
e#en de./ded .a3e3 a3 pre.edent 0a3 l/m/ted appl/.at/on7 :n t0/3 re3pe.t we an3wer t0e t0/rd 2ue3t/on /n t0e
po3/t/#e7
&5>)-*% 3? @:5):5' ):5 '-2:)> *; ):5 <=$-%)-;;, ):5 A-*=*2-,$= ;$):5', '54$-% $%+ $'5 %*) 5F)-%2&->:5+
+5><-)5 ):5 '52->)'$)-*% *; ):5 $+*<)-*% *; ):5 ,:-=+ &%+5' ):5 R52->)'$)-*% *; A+*<)-*%> A,) 196"B
.69/ !o an3wer t0/3 2ue3t/on we mu3t -/r3t relate t0e d/--eren.e 5etween "e6/3trat/on o- Adopt/on A.t 1;E2
@A.t 2ECB and t0e Adopt/on A.t 1;E2 @A.t 2E*B7
.70/ Aot0 A.t3 were ena.ted /n t0e 3ame year and 5ot0 relate to t0e adopt/on o- a .0/ld7 %enerally4 adopt/on
11
made under A.t 2E* /3 re-erred to a3 t0e =Court Adopt/on= w0/l3t one under A.t 2EC /3 .on3/dered a3 a
="e6/3trar Adopt/on=7 !0/3 mean3 an adopt/on under A.t 2E* mu3t 5e made t0rou60 a .ourt pro.e33 w0/le an
order -or t0e re6/3trat/on o- an adopt/on under A.t 2EC /3 made 5y t0e "e6/3trar o- Adopt/on @3ee 37 + @2B A.t
2ECB7
.71/ !0e ot0er maHor d/--eren.e 5etween t0e two met0od3 o- adopt/on /3 t0at A.t 2EC .ater3 -or a de -a.to
adopt/on w0/l3t an adopt/on order made under A.t 2E* /n.lude3 adopt/on deHure7 !0u34 an appl/.at/on -or
adopt/on under A.t 2E* /3 more demand/n6 and a3/de -rom ot0er re2u/rement34 a not/-/.at/on to t0e So./al
8el-are &epartment o- State /3 re2u/red 5e-ore an adopt/on order .an 5e made7 !0/3 /3 not re2u/red under
A.t 2EC7
.7"/ !0e mo3t .ru./al d/--eren.e 5etween t0e two A.t3 l/e3 /n t0e e--e.t o- t0e adopt/on7 Under A.t 2E*4 =all
r/60t34 dut/e34 o5l/6at/on3 and l/a5/l/t/e3 o- t0e parent4 6uard/an o- t0e adopted .0/ld4 /n relat/on to -uture
.u3tody4 4$-%)5%$%,5 and edu.at/on o- t0e adopted .0/ld4 /n.lud/n6 all r/60t3 to appo/nt a 6uard/an or
.on3ent or 6/#e not/.e o- d/33ent to marr/a6e 30all 5e eDt/n6u/30ed4 and all 3u.0 r/60t34 dut/e34 o5l/6at/on3
and l/a5/l/t/e3 30all #e3t /n and 5e eDer./3a5le 5y and en-or.ea5le a6a/n3t t0e adopter a3 t0ou60 t0e adopted
.0/ld wa3 5orn to t0e adopter /n law-ul wedlo.?=7 !0/3 pro#/3/on /3 not/.ea5ly a53ent /n A.t 2EC7 A3 t0e re3ult
o- t0/34 t0e Court o- Appeal /n "e )oh 'oh ,et4 de.ea3ed4 Kon" )ai Fon" & (rs. v )oh Pen" +en" @1;+1B
MLJ 2C14 2CE de./ded t0at an adopt/on under t0e "e6/3trat/on o- Adopt/on Ord/nan.e @t0e -orerunner o- A.t
2ECB .on-er3 no 3u..e33/on r/60t3 on t0e adopted .0/ld7
.7!/ :n t0e .our3e o- ar6ument 0ere and 5elow4 2ue3t/on3 were ra/3ed a3 to t0e o5He.t/#e and purpo3e o-
t0e3e two p/e.e3 o- le6/3lat/on pa33ed /n t0e 3ame year and .on.ern t0e 3ame 3u5He.t matterF adopt/on o- a
.0/ld7 Con.urr/n6 w/t0 t0e #/ew3 eDpre33ed /n t0e .ourt3 5elow4 we are o- t0e op/n/on t0at A.t 2EC wa3
ena.ted to .ater -or Mu3l/m3 w0o3e per3onal law3 are repu6nant to adopt/on yet /t /3 a .ommon pra.t/.e -or
Mu3l/m3 /n t0/3 .ountry to =adopt= a .0/ld7 !0/3 /3 re-le.ted /n 37 C1 o- A.t 2E* w0/.0 de.lare3 t0at !0/3 A.t
30all not apply to any per3on w0o pro-e33e3 t0e rel/6/on o- :3lam777=7Support -or t0/3 #/ew .an 5e -ound /n
-ootnote + o- para6rap0 110'0*C /n $al35ury'3 Law3 o- Malay3/a4 200C "e/33ue4 #olume < w0/.0 3tate3F
=:t 30ould 5e noted t0at t0e "e6/3trat/on o- Adopt/on3 A.t 1;E2 wa3 /ntended -or t0e u3e o- Mu3l/m37 !0/3 /3 5e.au3e
:3lam doe3 not re.o6n/9e adopt/on and /n order to le6/t/m/9e 3u.0 .u3tomary pra.t/.e34 t0e adopt/on .ould 5e
re6/3tered under t0/3 A.t 3o a3 to 3a-e6uard t0e r/60t to .u3tody o- t0e adopted parent37=
.73/ And a3 t0e $/60 Court /n t0/3 .a3e ela5oratedF =8/t0out proper do.umentat/on4 0ow el3e t0en .an a
Mu3l/m .ouple w0o 0a3 ta?en upon t0em3el#e3 t0e .are o- a .0/ld 6o a5out do/n6 3/mple rout/ne t0/n63 3u.0
a3 enroll/n6 t0e 3a/d .0/ld /nto a 3.0ool4 or -or t0e purpo3e o- o5ta/n/n6 /dent/ty .ard3 or e#en apply/n6 -or
pa33port3J=
.76/ $a#/n6 d/3.u33ed earl/er t0e d/--eren.e 5etween A.t 2EC and A.t 2E* and t0e o5He.t/#e and /ntent/on o-
A.t 2EC4 we 30all now deal w/t0 t0e 3tatu3 o- t0e adopted .0/ld4 0/3 adopted parent or parent3 and 0/3 natural
parent or parent37 !0/3 w/ll 0a#e a 5ear/n6 to t0e 2ue3t/on po3ed7
.77/ A..ord/n6 to $al35ury'3 Law3 o- Malay3/a4 #ol < para 11070*CF
=!0e "e6/3trat/on o- Adopt/on3 A.t 1;E2 doe3 not pro#/de -or any -orm o- le6al 3tatu3 to t0e adopted .0/ld7 :t merely
pro#/de3 -or re6/3trat/on o- t0e de -a.to adopt/on and re.o6n/3e3 /nd/re.tly t0e r/60t to .u3tody o- t0e adopted .0/ld and
t0e .ont/nu/n6 re3pon3/5/l/t/e3 o- t0e adopt/#e parent3 to ma/nta/n and edu.ate t0e adopted .0/ld7
!0e adopted .0/ld w/ll not 0a#e a r/60t to /n0er/t any property -rom t0e adopt/#e parent3' e3tate 30ould t0ey d/e /nte3tate
unle33 property /3 6/#en /nter #/#o3 a3 a 6/-t7 :t may 5e ar6ua5le t0at an adopted .0/ld 0a3 t0e r/60t to apply -or pro#/3/on
under t0e :n0er/tan.e @,am/ly ro#/3/onB A.t 1;*17
!0e adopted .0/ld /3 not 3tated a3 5e/n6 treated a3 a .0/ld o- t0e adopter 5om /n law-ul wedlo.? a3 /n t0e Adopt/on A.t
1;E27=
!0/3 #/ew /3 30ared 5y t0e Court o- Appeal /n t0/3 /n3tant .a3e w0en t0ey 3a/dF
=A.t 2EC merely lend3 le6al re.o6n/t/on to t0e de -a.to 3tatu3 o- t0e adopt/#e parent 0a#/n6 .u3tody and 5e/n6
re3pon3/5le -or t0e .are4 4$-%)5%$%,5 and wel-are o- t0e adopted .0/ld7=
.7#/ 8e a6ree w/t0 t0/3 3tatement7 !0ou60 5ot0 A.t 2EC and A.t 2E* deal w/t0 adopt/on o- a .0/ld4 t0e e--e.t
12
o- an adopt/on underta?en under A.t 2EC /3 l/m/ted7 Unl/?e A.t 2E*4 =all r/60t34 dut/e34 o5l/6at/on3 and
l/a5/l/t/e3 o- t0e parent4 6uard/an o- t0e adopted .0/ld4 /n relat/on to -uture .u3tody4 4$-%)5%$%,5 and
edu.at/on o- t0e adopted .0/ld4 /n.lud/n6 all r/60t3 to appo/nt a 6uard/an or .on3ent or 6/#e not/.e o- d/33ent
to marr/a6e 30all 5e eDt/n6u/30ed4 and all 3u.0 r/60t34 dut/e34 o5l/6at/on3 and l/a5/l/t/e3 30all #e3t /n and 5e
eDer./3a5le 5y and en-or.ea5le a6a/n3t t0e adopter a3 t0ou60 t0e adopted .0/ld wa3 5orn to t0e adopter /n
law-ul wedlo.?= /3 not pro#/ded under A.t 2EC7 A.t 2EC only .ater3 -or t0e re6/3trat/on o- a de -a.to adopt/on
and a3 3u.0 /t only .on-er3 upon t0e adopter parent or parent3 a .u3tod/an r/60t w/t0 re3pon3/5/l/t/e3 to .are4
ma/nta/n and edu.ate t0e adopted .0/ld7 Ot0er t0an t0e3e4 /t .on-er3 none o- t0o3e r/60t3 eDer./3a5le 5y and
en-or.ea5le a6a/n3t t0e adopter a3 t0ou60 t0e adopted .0/ld wa3 a .0/ld 5orn to t0e adopter /n law-ul
wedlo.? a3 3pelled out /n A.t 2E*7
.78/ o33e33/n6 3u.0 l/m/ted r/60t o#er t0e adopted .0/ld4 t0e pla/nt/-- ar6ued 5e-ore u3 t0at =t0/3 Court
30ould 0a#e no 0e3/tat/on /n de.lar/n6 null and #o/d and /n#al/dat/n6 t0e order o- re6/3trat/on o- adopt/on
made 5y t0e "e6/3trar7=
.79/ 8e .annot 3ee t0e lo6/. /n t0/3 3u5m/33/on7 !0ere mu3t 5e a d/3t/n.t/on 5etween t0e r/60t3 o- t0e
adopt/#e parent3 o#er t0e .0/ld /n an adopt/on re6/3tered under A.t 2EC and t0e #al/d/ty o- t0e adopt/on /t3el-7
:t /3 .erta/nly una..epta5le to rule t0at Hu3t 5e.au3e t0e adopter parent3 under t0/3 A.t 0a#e only .u3tod/an4
.are4 4$-%)5%$%,5 and edu.at/onal r/60t o#er t0e .0/ld4 t0e adopt/on /3 /n#al/d 5y t0e appearan.e o- a
natural parent w0o demand3 /t 3o7 :n our #/ew4 t0e adopt/on rema/n3 #al/d7 :t wa3 properly re6/3tered a-ter
due pro.e33 /n a..ordan.e w/t0 t0e law7 Unle33 /t /3 3et a3/de4 and t0ere /3 no .red/ta5le 6round to do 3o
0ere4 /t rema/n3 6ood /n law7
.#0/ Now return/n6 to t0e 2ue3t/on 5e-ore u3 relat/n6 pr/n./pally to t0e r/60t3 o- t0e pla/nt/-- a3 t0e 5/olo6/.al
-at0er o- t0e .0/ld4 we would l/?e to 5e6/n 5y 0/60l/60t/n6 a pa33a6e -rom ro-e33or M/m/ >amar/a0 MaH/d'3
teDt on ',am/ly Law /n Malay3/a' at pa6e 21*4 21<7 !0/3 /3 w/t0 t0e o5He.t/#e o- 30edd/n6 3ome l/60t on t0e
3tatu3 o- t0e natural parent or parent37 !0ou60 t0/3 re-er3 pr/mar/ly to Mu3l/m3 w0ere4 per0ap34 all part/e3 /7e7
t0e .0/ld .on.ern4 t0e natural parent or parent3 and t0e adopt/#e parent or parent3 are Mu3l/m3 @-or w0/.0 A.t
2EC wa3 /ntendedB /t t0row3 3ome l/60t on t0e 3tatu3 o- part/e3 /n t0/3 /n3tant .a3e7
=!0ere /3 no adopt/on a..ord/n6 to :3lam/. Law7 :- a man adopt3 a 3on or a dau60ter4 t0e law doe3 not .on-er on t0e
adopted .0/ld t0e 3tatu3 or r/60t3 o- a natural 3on or dau60ter7 A..ord/n6 to t0e Muran4 /- a per3on /3 not 3omeone'3 real
3on4 0e doe3 not 5e.ome 0/3 natural 3on merely 5y #/rtue o- a de.larat/on777
:n t0e Malay .ommun/ty4 .u3tomary adopt/on3 pre#a/l w0ere a .ouple may adopt a .0/ld and may pro.la/m t0at t0e
.0/ld /3 t0e 3on o- or t0e dau60ter o- t0e male 3pou3e o- t0e .ouple w0o adopt3 0/m or 0er7 &e3p/te t0/34 t0e l/n?3
5etween t0e .0/ld and 0/3 natural parent3 are ne#er 3e#ered7 A Mu3l/m 6/rl 3t/ll need3 to o5ta/n t0e .on3ent o- 0er
natural -at0er4 a3 0er wall4 or 6uard/an -or marr/a6e4 5e-ore 30e may 6et marr/ed4 unle334 o- .our3e4 one o- t0e
eD.ept/on3 to t0/3 re2u/rement apply@/e3B7 S/m/larly a Malay Mu3l/m 6/rt w/ll alway3 5e .on3/dered a3 not 5elon6/n6 to
t0e 3ame mu0r/m a3 0er adopt/#e -at0er7=
.#1/ 80/le A.t 2EC /3 not re3tr/.ted to Mu3l/m3 3/n.e t0ere /3 no pro#/3/on to t0/3 e--e.t @and 3ee Jainah /inti
Semah v ,ansor/in 0man ,at & Anor. @1;E1B MLJ +2B4 we ma/nta/n t0at t0e le6al r/60t3 o- t0e natural parent
or parent3 rema/n a3 .on-erred 5y law7 !0/3 /3 5a3ed on t0e rat/onal t0at an adopt/on under A.t 2EC .on-er3
upon t0e adopter parent3 only .u3tod/an4 .are4 4$-%)5%$%,5 and edu.at/onal r/60t -or t0e .0/ld7 8/t0 t0/3 we
an3wer t0e 2ue3t/on po3ed to u3 /n t0e po3/t/#e7
.#"/ M/33 ,oo /n 0er wr/tten 3u5m/33/on al3o ra/3ed t0e /33ue o- t0e r/60t o- t0e Crd and 1t0 de-endant3 to
.on#ert J to a Mu3l/m7 S0e ar6ued t0at 3/n.e t0e Crd and 1t0 de-endant3 0a#e only .u3tod/an r/60t t0ey 0a#e
no r/60t to .on#ert J7 S0e t0en went on to 3u5m/t t0at under Art/.le 12 @1B o- t0e ,ederal Con3t/tut/on4 t0e
pla/nt/--4 a3 t0e natural parent o- t0e J4 po33e33e3 t0e r/60t o#er t0e rel/6/on o- a m/nor7
.#!/ Aut 3urpr/3/n6ly4 t0/3 /33ue /3 not re-le.ted /n t0e 2ue3t/on po3ed to u37 All 2ue3t/on3 5e-ore u3 are
.entred on t0e r/60t o- t0e pla/nt/-- and t0e #al/d/ty o- t0e adopt/on to w0/.0 we 0a#e an3wered7 None tou.0
on t0/3 a3pe.t o- .on#er3/on7 Under rule 1* o- t0e "ule3 o- t0e ,ederal Court =t0e 0ear/n6 o- t0e appeal 30all
5e .on-/ned to matter34 /33ue3 or 2ue3t/on3 /n re3pe.t o- lea#e to appeal /3 6ranted=7 !0ou60 we 0a#e 3tated
/n t0e re.ent .a3e o- 'eren""an$ Forest Pro!$ts S!n %h! v #oso #ontainer )ines #o )t! (12345534116 &
123457316 (-)) t0at 2ue3t/on3 .an 5e amended and added -rom t0o3e or/6/nally po3ed4 t0ere wa3 no -ormal
appl/.at/on 5e-ore u3 to do 3o7 A3 t0e 2ue3t/on po3ed /3 ne.e33ary to /dent/-y t0e /33ue ra/3ed /n.lu3/on o-
ot0er matter w0/.0 0a3 not 5een added to or /n.luded /n t0e or/6/nal 2ue3t/on 5y way o- amendment may
1C
.au3e .on-u3/on to t0e real /33ue re2u/red to 5e determ/ned7 ,urt0er4 part/e3 may not 0a#e .ome prepared to
ar6ue t0/37 !0ou604 a3 3tated 5y u3 /n 'eren""an$ Forest Pro!$ts S!n %h! t0at 2ue3t/on -ramed /3
pro.edural 5ut t0/3 pro.e33 /3 3t/ll ne.e33ary to a.0/e#e t0e o5He.t/#e o- 3e.t/on ;+ @aB o- t0e Court3 o-
Jud/.ature A.t7 ,or t0/3 rea3on4 we re-u3e to enterta/n t0e la3t /33ue ra/3ed 5y t0e pla/nt/-- 5e-ore u37
C*%,=&>-*%
.#3/ :n .on.lu3/on4 we d/3m/33ed t0/3 appeal w/t0 .o3t37 $owe#er4 /n #/ew o- our op/n/on eDpre33ed a5o#e4
we a..ept t0at t0e Court o- Appeal 0ad erred /n re#o?/n6 t0e 2nd order o- t0e $/60 Court /n re3pe.t o-
re.t/-y/n6 t0e 5/rt0 .ert/-/.ate o- J to re-le.t t0e pla/nt/-- a3 t0e -at0er o- J7 8e 3et a3/de t0/3 part o- t0e order o-
t0e Court o- Appeal and re/n3tate t0e 2nd order 6ranted 5y t0e $/60 Court7