Specific Power of Attorney (Malaysia)
Limited authority for a defined transaction under the Powers of Attorney Act 1949 (Act 424)
Specific Power of Attorney
SPECIFIC POWER OF ATTORNEY I, [Donor Name] (MyKad / Passport No. [Donor Ic]), of [Donor Address], [Donor Occupation], nationality: [Donor Nationality] (the "Donor"), hereby appoint [Attorney Name] (MyKad No. [Attorney Ic]), of [Attorney Address], [Attorney Occupation] (the "Attorney"), as my lawful attorney for the specific and limited purpose set out below, pursuant to the Powers of Attorney Act 1949 (Act 424) of Malaysia. This Specific Power of Attorney is executed at [Execution Location] on [Execution Date].
Specific Authority Granted
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY GRANTED The Attorney is authorised to perform the following specific transaction on my behalf, and no other: Type of transaction: [Transaction Type] Transaction description: [Transaction Description] Property title reference (if applicable): [Property Title] Bank account details (if applicable): [Bank Account Details] The Attorney shall have all powers necessary to complete the specific transaction described above, including the power to execute, sign, and deliver all documents, instruments, and forms required to give effect to the transaction — including Form 14A (memorandum of transfer) and Form 16A (charge) under the National Land Code 1965 (Act 56) where applicable — and to receive and give receipts for all consideration payable in connection with the transaction.
Limitations
LIMITATIONS The authority granted to the Attorney under this Specific Power of Attorney is strictly limited to the transaction described above. The Attorney is not authorised to: (a) Enter into any other transaction on my behalf; (b) Deal with any of my other assets, accounts, or affairs not described in this power; (c) Delegate this authority to any third party without my prior written consent; (d) Act after this power has terminated or been revoked. Any act performed by the Attorney outside the scope of the authority described above shall not bind me under Section 6 of the Contracts Act 1950 (Act 136).
Termination
TERMINATION This Specific Power of Attorney shall terminate: (a) Trigger: [Termination Trigger]; (b) Expiry date (if applicable): [Expiry Date]; (c) Automatically upon my death or upon my subsequent loss of mental capacity; (d) Upon my written revocation given to the Attorney. If this power has been registered at the High Court or Land Registry, the revocation must also be filed at the same registry to provide constructive notice to third parties under Section 5 of the Powers of Attorney Act 1949.
Registration
REGISTRATION This Specific Power of Attorney will be used for land dealings requiring registration: [Requires Registration]. Where this power is to be used for dealings with land under the National Land Code 1965, the Attorney is directed to register this power 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 to the Land Registry.
Execution
EXECUTION SIGNED by the Donor at [Execution Location] on [Execution Date]: Donor's Signature: ___________________________ [Donor Name] (MyKad / Passport No. [Donor Ic]) Certified / Witnessed by: ___________________________ [Witness Name] [Note: For property transactions, execution before a Notary Public or Commissioner for Oaths and registration at the High Court or Land Registry under the Powers of Attorney Act 1949 is required before presenting the instrument to the Land Registry.]
Donor
________________
Signature
Witness / Notary / Commissioner
________________
Signature
What Is a Specific Power of Attorney (Malaysia)?
A Specific Power of Attorney in Malaysia authorises an appointed attorney to act on the donor's behalf in defined financial or personal matters.
The narrow scope of a Specific Power of Attorney provides the donor with greater control and reduces the risk of the attorney exceeding their authority. Third parties dealing with the attorney are on constructive notice of the limitations stated in the power, and an attorney who acts outside the scope of the specific authority granted cannot bind the donor under Section 6 of the Contracts Act 1950 (Act 136), which limits an agent's authority to what has been expressly or impliedly authorised.
For property transactions specifically, the Powers of Attorney Act 1949 requires that any power of attorney authorising dealings with land registered under the National Land Code 1965 (Act 56) be executed before a Notary Public, Commissioner for Oaths, Judge, Magistrate, or consular officer, and be registered at the High Court or with the relevant Land Registry before the Land Registry will accept instruments executed by the attorney. The High Court Probate and Land Registry in each state maintains a register of filed powers of attorney, which third parties may search.
A Specific Power of Attorney is automatically revoked upon completion of the specific transaction it authorises. For example, a power of attorney granted specifically for the sale of a property at No. 5, Jalan Maju, Petaling Jaya, is revoked upon the completion of that sale and the attorney has no further authority in respect of the donor's affairs. This automatic termination provides a natural safeguard against continued use of the power beyond its intended purpose.
The legal framework governing the Specific 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 Specific 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 Specific Power of Attorney (Malaysia)?
A Specific Power of Attorney is needed in Malaysia whenever a person needs to authorise another person to complete a particular transaction on their behalf, without granting broad authority over all their affairs.
A Specific Power of Attorney is needed when a property owner is overseas or otherwise unable to attend the signing of a sale and purchase agreement, the transfer documents (Form 14A under the National Land Code 1965), or the completion of a real property transaction. The attorney executes all necessary documents on the donor's behalf.
A Specific Power of Attorney is required when a company director or senior officer needs to authorise a representative to sign a specific commercial contract — such as a construction contract, a supply agreement, or a licence deed — on the company's behalf while the director is travelling or otherwise unavailable.
A Specific Power of Attorney is needed when a bank customer needs to authorise a family member or trusted person to operate a specific bank account — withdraw funds, transfer money, or manage the account — for a defined period or purpose, such as paying bills during the account holder's hospitalisation.
A Specific Power of Attorney is required when a Malaysian company registered under the Companies Act 2016 needs to authorise a local representative to attend and vote at the annual general meeting (AGM) or extraordinary general meeting (EGM) of another company on behalf of the corporate shareholder.
A Specific Power of Attorney is needed when a foreign investor or non-resident wishes to authorise a Malaysian resident to deal with a specific parcel of real property in Malaysia — for example, to execute a tenancy agreement, collect rental income, or deal with the Local Council (Majlis Bandaraya or Majlis Perbandaran) for regulatory approvals.
What to Include in Your Specific Power of Attorney (Malaysia)
A valid Specific Power of Attorney in Malaysia must contain the following essential elements.
Donor's Details: The full legal name, MyKad number (or passport number for foreign donors), address, and occupation of the donor. The donor must have legal capacity — age of majority under the Age of Majority Act 1971 and sound mind — and be acting voluntarily.
Attorney's Details: The full legal name, MyKad number, address, and occupation of the attorney. For corporate attorneys, the company registration number and registered address.
Specific Authority Granted: The Specific Power of Attorney must state the precise scope of the authority — the specific transaction, the specific property, the specific account, or the specific class of acts — with enough particularity to allow third parties to verify that the attorney is acting within their authority. Vague or overly broad descriptions undermine the purpose of a Specific Power of Attorney.
Expiry or Duration: The power should state when the authority expires — upon completion of the specific transaction, upon a specified date, or when the donor notifies revocation. For property transactions, the power typically expires automatically upon completion of the transfer.
Execution Requirements: For powers intended for land dealings under the National Land Code 1965, the power must be executed before a Notary Public, Commissioner for Oaths, Judge, Magistrate, or consular officer and registered at the High Court or relevant Land Registry under Section 4 of the Powers of Attorney Act 1949.
Revocability: The power should state that it is revocable by the donor at any time upon written notice to the attorney, unless it is expressed as irrevocable for a stated period (in commercial financing contexts, for example, where the power is given as security).
Date and Witness: The power must be dated in DD/MM/YYYY format and witnessed as required under the Powers of Attorney Act 1949.
Additional compliance elements for a Specific 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). Specific Power of Attorney (Malaysia) (Malaysia) [Legal document template]. Forms Legal. https://forms-legal.com/malaysia/personal/legal-declarations/power-of-attorney-specific-malaysia
"Specific Power of Attorney (Malaysia) (Malaysia)." Forms Legal, 2026, https://forms-legal.com/malaysia/personal/legal-declarations/power-of-attorney-specific-malaysia.
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year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://forms-legal.com/malaysia/personal/legal-declarations/power-of-attorney-specific-malaysia}},
note = {Free legal document template. Based on Powers of Attorney Act 1949 (Act 424)}
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Frequently Asked Questions
A Specific Power of Attorney in Malaysia authorises the attorney to perform only a defined transaction or category of acts — for example, selling a specific property, signing a specific contract, or managing a specific bank account. The attorney's authority is strictly limited to what is stated in the specific power, and any act beyond that scope does not bind the donor. A General Power of Attorney, by contrast, confers broad authority over all or most of the donor's legal, financial, and property affairs. Both types of power of attorney are governed by the Powers of Attorney Act 1949 (Act 424) and both require registration at the High Court or Land Registry if they are to be used for land dealings under the National Land Code 1965. A Specific Power of Attorney provides the donor with greater control and reduced risk of abuse, while a General Power of Attorney is more practical when the donor needs comprehensive representation during an extended absence.
Yes. A Specific Power of Attorney authorising an attorney to deal with a named property — identified by grant number, lot number, mukim, district, and state as registered under the National Land Code 1965 (Act 56) — is the standard instrument used for property transactions in Malaysia when the owner cannot be present. The power must be registered at the High Court or the relevant state Land Registry under Section 4 of the Powers of Attorney Act 1949 before the Land Registry will accept any instrument (Form 14A for transfer, Form 16A for charge) executed by the attorney. Stamp duty under the Stamp Act 1949 is payable on the Form 14A based on the consideration or market value of the property. The power must be valid — not revoked, expired, or terminated by the donor's death or incapacity — at the time the attorney executes the transfer documents.
A Power of Attorney under the Powers of Attorney Act 1949 (Act 424) may generally be revoked by the donor at any time, even after the attorney has commenced acting, by giving written notice of revocation to the attorney. However, revocation does not affect transactions already completed by the attorney before the attorney received notice of revocation — third parties who dealt bona fide with the attorney before receiving notice of revocation are protected under Section 5 of the Powers of Attorney Act 1949. If the power of attorney has been registered at the High Court or Land Registry, the revocation must also be filed at the same registry to provide constructive notice to third parties. An irrevocable power of attorney given as security in commercial financing transactions cannot be revoked during the security period without the secured creditor's consent.
A Specific 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.
A Specific Power of Attorney (Malaysia) does not legally require a lawyer in Malaysia, though legal advice is recommended. Under Malaysian law, the Contracts Act 1950 (Act 136) governs agreements. The Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) regulates corporate documents under the Companies Act 2016 (Act 777). The Employment Act 1955 and Industrial Court handle employment disputes. The Personal Data Protection Act 2010 (Act 709) imposes data protection obligations. Forms-legal.com provides this template as a starting point — always review with a qualified Malaysian lawyer for significant transactions. 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.
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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