General Power of Attorney (Malaysia)
Broad authority over legal, financial, and property affairs under the Powers of Attorney Act 1949 (Act 424)
General Power of Attorney
GENERAL POWER OF ATTORNEY I, [Donor Name] (MyKad No. [Donor Ic]), of [Donor Address], [Donor Occupation] (the "Donor"), hereby appoint [Attorney Name] (MyKad No. [Attorney Ic]), of [Attorney Address], [Attorney Occupation] (the "Attorney"), as my lawful attorney to act on my behalf in all matters as set out in this General Power of Attorney, executed at [Execution Location] on [Execution Date] pursuant to the Powers of Attorney Act 1949 (Act 424) of Malaysia.
Relationship
RELATIONSHIP The Attorney is my [Attorney Relationship]. I grant this General Power of Attorney because I require the Attorney to manage my affairs in Malaysia on my behalf.
Authority Granted
AUTHORITY GRANTED I hereby authorise the Attorney to do all or any of the following acts on my behalf: 1. Real Property (National Land Code 1965): [Includes Real Property] — to buy, sell, charge, lease, transfer, and deal with all real property registered in my name under the National Land Code 1965 (Act 56), including executing Form 14A (memorandum of transfer), Form 16A (charge), and all related instruments at the Land Registry. 2. Bank Accounts: [Includes Bank Accounts] — to operate, manage, withdraw from, deposit to, and give instructions in relation to all bank accounts, fixed deposits, and savings accounts maintained by me at any financial institution in Malaysia. 3. Investments: [Includes Investments] — to buy, sell, manage, and deal with all shares listed on Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad, unit trust investments, and other investment accounts maintained by me. 4. Contracts: [Includes Contracts] — to enter into, vary, and enforce all contracts on my behalf under the Contracts Act 1950 (Act 136), including tenancy agreements, service agreements, and supply contracts. 5. Legal Proceedings: [Includes Litigation] — to instruct advocates and solicitors registered with the Malaysian Bar, commence, defend, and settle legal proceedings in my name before the courts of Malaysia. 6. Government Agencies: [Includes Government Agencies] — to deal with the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (LHDN) under the Income Tax Act 1967, the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) under the Companies Act 2016, the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) Board under the Employees Provident Fund Act 1991, and all other government agencies and statutory bodies. 7. Additional Authority: [Additional Authority]
Duration and Revocability
DURATION AND REVOCABILITY This General Power of Attorney: (a) Comes into effect on the date of execution — [Execution Date]; (b) Has a fixed expiry date: [Has Expiry Date]. Expiry date (if applicable): [Expiry Date]; (c) Is irrevocable for a specified period: [Is Irrevocable]; (d) Shall be automatically revoked upon my death, or upon my subsequent loss of mental capacity (unless expressed as an Enduring Power of Attorney under the Powers of Attorney Act 1949 as amended); (e) May be revoked by me at any time while I have mental capacity, by written notice of revocation given to the Attorney. Revocation of a registered power of attorney must also be filed at the High Court or Land Registry at which it was registered to provide constructive notice to third parties, in accordance with Section 5 of the Powers of Attorney Act 1949.
Registration
REGISTRATION This General Power of Attorney will be used for land dealings requiring court registration: [Requires Registration]. Where this power of attorney is to be used for dealings with land registered under the National Land Code 1965, the Attorney is directed to register this power of attorney at the High Court of Malaya or the relevant state Land Registry under Section 4 of the Powers of Attorney Act 1949 before presenting any instrument of dealing executed under this power to the Land Registry.
Governing Law
GOVERNING LAW This General Power of Attorney is governed by the laws of Malaysia, including the Powers of Attorney Act 1949 (Act 424) and the Contracts Act 1950 (Act 136). The High Court of Malaya shall have jurisdiction over any dispute arising from the exercise of the powers granted herein.
Execution
EXECUTION SIGNED by the Donor at [Execution Location] on [Execution Date]: Donor's Signature: ___________________________ [Donor Name] (MyKad No. [Donor Ic]) Certified / Witnessed by: ___________________________ [Witness Name] [Note: For powers used for land dealings, execution must be before a Notary Public, Commissioner for Oaths, Judge, Magistrate, or consular officer, and the power must be registered at the High Court or Land Registry under the Powers of Attorney Act 1949 before use.]
Donor
________________
Signature
Witness / Notary / Commissioner
________________
Signature
What Is a General Power of Attorney (Malaysia)?
A General Power of Attorney in Malaysia authorises an appointed attorney to act on the donor's behalf in defined financial or personal matters.
The Powers of Attorney Act 1949 governs the formal requirements for the execution and registration of powers of attorney affecting land in Malaysia. Section 4 of the Powers of Attorney Act 1949 requires that a power of attorney authorising dealings with land registered under the National Land Code 1965 be executed before a Notary Public, a Judge, a Magistrate, a Commissioner for Oaths, or a consular officer, and be filed and registered at the High Court of Malaya (or the High Court in Sabah and Sarawak) or with the relevant Land Registry where the power is to be used for land dealings. Unregistered powers of attorney may be used for non-land matters without registration.
A General Power of Attorney in Malaysia is revocable by the donor at any time while the donor has mental capacity, by written notice to the attorney. A General Power of Attorney does not survive the donor's loss of mental capacity under the Powers of Attorney Act 1949 — it is automatically revoked upon the donor's mental incapacity. For an authority that survives mental incapacity, an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) must be used, as provided under the Powers of Attorney Act 1949 as amended.
Third parties dealing with an attorney under a General Power of Attorney are protected under Section 5 of the Powers of Attorney Act 1949, which provides that a person dealing bona fide with an attorney under a power of attorney and without knowledge of revocation or the donor's death shall not be prejudiced by the revocation or death. This protection encourages banks, land registries, and other institutions to deal with validly appointed attorneys.
The legal framework governing the General Power of Attorney (Malaysia) in Malaysia draws on several key statutes and regulatory bodies. Under Malaysian law, the Contracts Act 1950 (Act 136) governs contractual obligations. The Companies Act 2016 (Act 777) regulates corporate entities through the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM). The Employment Act 1955 (Act 265) and the Department of Labour govern employment matters. The Personal Data Protection Act 2010 (Act 709) and the Personal Data Protection Department protect personal data. The Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (LHDN) administers tax obligations. The Industrial Court adjudicates employment disputes under the Industrial Relations Act 1967 (Act 177). Parties executing a General Power of Attorney (Malaysia) in Malaysia should confirm the document reflects current law, including any amendments enacted since the original drafting date. The Powers of Attorney Act 1949 (Act 424) sets the foundational requirements.
When Do You Need a General Power of Attorney (Malaysia)?
A General Power of Attorney is needed in Malaysia when a person needs to authorise another person to manage their full range of legal, financial, and property affairs, typically due to extended absence from Malaysia or other circumstances making personal management impractical.
A General Power of Attorney is needed when a Malaysian resident is travelling or residing abroad for an extended period and needs a trusted person in Malaysia to manage their bank accounts, renew tenancy agreements, deal with their property under the National Land Code 1965, and handle business matters on their behalf.
A General Power of Attorney is required when a business owner needs to grant an authorised representative — such as a company director or business partner — full authority to manage the donor's financial affairs and property interests while the donor is away, including entering into contracts, collecting debts, and attending to government agency requirements.
A General Power of Attorney is needed when a Malaysian investor wishes to grant a stockbroker, fund manager, or financial adviser full authority to manage their investment portfolio, including buying and selling shares on Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad and managing unit trust investments with fund managers such as Public Mutual Berhad.
A General Power of Attorney is required when a property owner in Malaysia needs to authorise a representative to handle all aspects of a property sale — signing the sale and purchase agreement, attending the Land Registry for transfer registration, collecting the sale proceeds, and dealing with the solicitors and the purchaser — without the donor being present in Malaysia.
A General Power of Attorney is needed when a person is temporarily hospitalised or otherwise incapacitated (but not to the extent of losing legal capacity) and needs someone to manage their affairs urgently during their recovery.
What to Include in Your General Power of Attorney (Malaysia)
A valid General Power of Attorney in Malaysia under the Powers of Attorney Act 1949 must contain the following essential elements.
Donor's Details: The full legal name, MyKad number, address, and occupation of the donor (principal). The donor must be of the age of majority (18 years under the Age of Majority Act 1971), of sound mind, and acting voluntarily without duress.
Attorney's Details: The full legal name, MyKad number, address, and occupation of the attorney (agent). For corporate attorneys — such as a company authorised to act as attorney — the company registration number and registered address must be stated.
Scope of Authority: The General Power of Attorney must specify the scope of the authority granted. A broadly drafted authority should cover: management and dealing of real property under the National Land Code 1965; management of bank accounts, fixed deposits, and investments; entry into contracts on the donor's behalf; conduct of legal proceedings before the courts of Malaysia; dealings with government agencies including the Land Registry, SSM, EPF, and the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia; and any other matters the donor wishes to include.
Execution Requirements: For a power of attorney intended to be used for land dealings under the National Land Code 1965, Section 4 of the Powers of Attorney Act 1949 requires execution before a Notary Public, a Judge, a Magistrate, a Commissioner for Oaths (if in Malaysia), or a consular officer (if executed abroad), and registration at the High Court or relevant Land Registry.
Revocability: The power of attorney must state whether it is revocable (the standard position under Malaysian law — all General Powers of Attorney are revocable by the donor unless drafted as irrevocable for a specific period for commercial purposes).
Date of Execution: The power of attorney must be dated in DD/MM/YYYY format. The date is important for determining whether the power was in force at the time of any particular transaction by the attorney.
Witness or Notarisation: Execution must be witnessed as required under the Powers of Attorney Act 1949, with the witness confirming the donor's identity and voluntary execution.
Additional compliance elements for a General Power of Attorney (Malaysia) used in Malaysia include: Under Malaysian law, the Contracts Act 1950 (Act 136) governs contractual obligations. The Companies Act 2016 (Act 777) regulates corporate entities through the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM). The Employment Act 1955 (Act 265) and the Department of Labour govern employment matters. The Personal Data Protection Act 2010 (Act 709) and the Personal Data Protection Department protect personal data. The Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (LHDN) administers tax obligations. The Industrial Court adjudicates employment disputes under the Industrial Relations Act 1967 (Act 177). Forms-legal.com provides this template as a starting point for Malaysia-compliant documentation.
Cite this page
Reference this free template in an article, syllabus, or research note:
Forms Legal. (2026). General Power of Attorney (Malaysia) (Malaysia) [Legal document template]. Forms Legal. https://forms-legal.com/malaysia/personal/legal-declarations/power-of-attorney-general-malaysia
"General Power of Attorney (Malaysia) (Malaysia)." Forms Legal, 2026, https://forms-legal.com/malaysia/personal/legal-declarations/power-of-attorney-general-malaysia.
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title = {General Power of Attorney (Malaysia) (Malaysia)},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://forms-legal.com/malaysia/personal/legal-declarations/power-of-attorney-general-malaysia}},
note = {Free legal document template. Based on Powers of Attorney Act 1949 (Act 424)}
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Frequently Asked Questions
A General Power of Attorney in Malaysia must be registered at the High Court of Malaya (or the High Court in Sabah and Sarawak) or with the relevant Land Registry under the Powers of Attorney Act 1949 if it is to be used for dealings with land registered under the National Land Code 1965 (Act 56). Registration involves filing the original power of attorney at the court registry or Land Registry with the applicable filing fee. An unregistered power of attorney cannot be used to deal with registered land, but may be used for non-land matters such as bank account management, contract signing, and business dealings without registration. A power of attorney executed outside Malaysia must be authenticated by a Malaysian consular officer before use in Malaysia. Under Malaysia law, Powers of Attorney Act 1949 (Act 424), parties should seek independent legal advice from a qualified lawyer to confirm compliance with all applicable requirements. Under Malaysian law, the Contracts Act 1950 (Act 136) governs contractual obligations. The Companies Act 2016 (Act 777) regulates corporate entities through the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM). Forms-legal.com provides this template as a starting point for Malaysia-compliant documentation.
A General Power of Attorney in Malaysia remains valid until it is expressly revoked by the donor, until the donor dies, or until the donor loses mental capacity (unless the power is an Enduring Power of Attorney executed under the Powers of Attorney Act 1949 as amended, which survives incapacity). A General Power of Attorney does not automatically expire after a fixed period unless the deed specifies an expiry date. The donor may revoke the power at any time while they have legal capacity by giving written notice of revocation to the attorney and notifying third parties with whom the attorney has been dealing. Upon the donor's death, the power is automatically revoked and the executor or administrator of the estate steps in — the attorney has no authority to act after the donor's death. Under Malaysia law, Powers of Attorney Act 1949 (Act 424), parties should seek independent legal advice from a qualified lawyer to confirm compliance with all applicable requirements. Under Malaysian law, the Contracts Act 1950 (Act 136) governs contractual obligations. The Companies Act 2016 (Act 777) regulates corporate entities through the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM). Forms-legal.com provides this template as a starting point for Malaysia-compliant documentation.
Yes. A validly executed and registered General Power of Attorney or Specific Power of Attorney under the Powers of Attorney Act 1949 may be used to sell real property in Malaysia on the donor's behalf. The attorney executes the sale and purchase agreement and the memorandum of transfer (Form 14A under the National Land Code 1965) as the donor's duly appointed attorney. The power of attorney must be registered at the High Court or Land Registry under the Powers of Attorney Act 1949 before the Land Registry will accept the Form 14A executed by the attorney. Stamp duty under the Stamp Act 1949 is assessed on the Form 14A based on the sale consideration or market value, whichever is higher. The attorney should ensure the power is still valid (not revoked by the donor or expired) at the time of signing the transfer.
A General Power of Attorney and an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) differ in one critical respect: an Enduring Power of Attorney survives the donor's subsequent mental incapacity, while a General Power of Attorney is automatically revoked upon the donor's loss of mental capacity. Under the Powers of Attorney Act 1949 (as amended), an EPA must expressly state that it is intended to continue despite the donor's subsequent mental incapacity and must be executed with specific formalities — typically before a solicitor who certifies the donor's capacity at the time of execution. A General Power of Attorney is suitable for situations where the donor is and expects to remain mentally capable; an EPA is used for long-term planning, particularly by elderly persons or those with early-stage cognitive conditions who wish to appoint someone to manage their affairs if they lose capacity in future.
A General Power of Attorney (Malaysia) does not legally require a lawyer in Malaysia, and individuals and businesses may draft and execute the document independently. The Powers of Attorney Act 1949 (Act 424) does not mandate legal representation for the creation or signing of this type of document. However, seeking independent legal advice from a qualified Malaysia lawyer is recommended for transactions involving substantial financial value, complex regulatory requirements, or cross-border elements where multiple legal jurisdictions may apply. A lawyer can verify that the document complies with all applicable statutory requirements, identify potential risks specific to the transaction, and confirm that the terms adequately protect the interests of all parties involved. The Federal Court of Malaysia has jurisdiction over disputes arising from this type of document, and Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) may impose additional compliance obligations depending on the nature of the underlying transaction. Professional legal review is particularly advisable where the document will be submitted to government agencies or used as evidence in legal proceedings.
This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.Full disclaimer
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