Bicara Legal

US' McDonald's loses trademark fight against M'sian McCurry

2009-09-08T21:06:00.002+08:00

http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/9/8/business/20090908111316&sec=business

PUTRAJAYA: US fast food giant McDonald’s lost an eight-year trademark battle to prevent local restaurant McCurry from using the ‘Mc’ prefix in a precedent-setting judgment by Malaysia’s highest court.

The Federal Court ruled Tuesday that McDonald’s cannot appeal against another court’s verdict that had allowed McCurry to use ‘Mc’ in its name. The owner says McCurry, which serves Indian food, is an abbreviation for Malaysian Chicken Curry.

The ruling by a three-member panel of the Federal Court ends all legal avenues for McDonald’s to protect its name from what it said was a trademark infringement.

“On the basis of unanimous decision, our view is that” McDonald’s plea to carry the case forward has no merit, said chief judge Arifin Zakaria. “It is unfortunate that we have to dismiss the application with costs,” he said.

McDonald’s will have to pay RM10,000 to McCurry, a popular eatery in Jalan Ipoh on the edge of Kuala Lumpur’s downtown. McDonald’s lawyers refused to comment, except to say the company will abide by the judgment.

McCurry lawyer Sri Devi Nair said the ruling means McDonald’s does not have a monopoly on the prefix ‘Mc,’ and that other restaurants could also use it as long as they distinguish their food from McDonald’s. “This is a precedent for everyone to follow,” he said.

A three-member Appeal Court panel had ruled in favour of McCurry Restaurant in April this year when it overturned a 2006 high court ruling that had upheld McDonald’s contention. Arifin said McDonald’s lawyers were unable to point out faults in the Appeal Court judgment, which had said there was no evidence to show that McCurry was passing off McDonald’s business as its own. The Appeals Court also said McDonald’s cannot claim an exclusive right to the ‘Mc’ prefix in the country.

McDonald’s asked the Federal Court for permission to appeal against that decision but was denied Tuesday. “We are very much relieved. We hope to expand. This is what we wanted to do from the beginning and we were stalled for eight years,” said A.M.S.P. Suppiah, the owner of McCurry. “I am so happy ... we have nothing in similarity with them at all. That’s how we have felt all this while,” said his wife, Kanageswary Suppiah.

The Appeal Court said McCurry’s signboard has white and grey letters against a red background with a picture of a smiling chicken giving a double thumbs-up, in contrast to McDonald’s red and yellow “M” logo. McCurry also serves only Indian food, not competing with McDonald’s Western menu, the court said.

McDonald’s began operations in Malaysia in 1982 and has 137 outlets in the country. -- AP

Artikel baru / New Articles

2009-09-05T19:55:00.002+08:00

Salam buat pembaca,

Saya sekarang dalam proses menghasilkan artikel umum mengenai pembeli yang menjadi mangsa dalam kes projek perumahan terbengkalai. Insya allah, artikel ini akan disiarkan di sini sedikit hari lagi.

Dalam masa yang sama, saya mengalu-alukan sebarang pandangan sekiranya ada yang ingin saya menghasilkan artikel berkaitan aspek / persoalan perundangan yang lain.

Terima kasih.

...............................................................................

Dear readers,

I am now in process of coming with a new general article about purchasers who become victims of abandoned housing projects. God willing, this article will be published in a few days time.

In the meantime, if there is any suggestions for me to come out with articles in any other issues / area of laws, it is most welcomed.

Thank you.

-Rose-

Apakah kesan apabila seseorang itu diisytiharkan bankrap?

2009-06-05T08:44:00.004+08:00

Sedikit soal jawab mengenai kebankrapan... sumber:- http://www.insolvensi.gov.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=59&Itemid=77

Bagaimanakah seseorang individu itu dihukum bankrap?
Seseorang individu boleh dihukum bankrap apabila gagal menyelesaikan hutangnya RM30,000.00 dan ke atas.

Apakah larangan-larangan terhadap si bankrap?
Si bankrap tidak boleh-
o dilantik sebagai Majistret atau Hakim Mahkamah Sesyen atau dinamakan atau dilantik sebagai Ahli Bandaran atau Badan Berkuasa Tempatan – Seksyen 36 & 37;
o meneruskan sebarang tindakan Mahkamah kecuali untuk kecederaan peribadi. Walau bagaimanapun, sebarang tindakan Mahkamah selain kecederaan peribadi boleh diteruskan dengan kebenaran Ketua Pengarah Insolvensi – Seksyen 38(1)(a);
o keluar negara tanpa mendapat kelulusan Ketua Pengarah Insolvensi atau mahkamah – Seksyen 38(1)(c);
o menjadi Pengarah Syarikat atau terlibat dalam pengurusan syarikat tanpa mendapat kelulusan Ketua Pengarah Insolvensi atau Mahkamah – Seksyen 38(1)(d);
o terlibat dalam syarikat atau menjadi pekerja syarikat yang dimiliki oleh pasangannya atau saudara-maranya tanpa mendapat kelulusan Ketua Pengarah Insolvensi atau Mahkamah – Seksyen 38(1)(e)

Bolehkah si bankrap membuka akaun bank?
Bagi Akaun Simpanan - Si bankrap dibenarkan untuk membuka akaun simpanan bagi tujuan kemasukan dan pengeluaran gaji sahaja. Permohonan untuk membuka akaun simpanan boleh dibuat di cawangan Jabatan Insolvensi Malaysia di mana kes kebankrapan tersebut ditadbirkan.

Bagi Akaun Semasa - Si bankrap tidak dibenarkan untuk membuka akaun semasa bagi apa-apa jua tujuan.

Bagaimanakah si bankrap boleh membuat permohonan keluar negara?
Si bankrap hendaklah mengemukakan permohonan kepada cawangan di mana kes kebankrapan tersebut ditadbirkan. Borang permohonan ke luar negara boleh dimuat turun dari laman portal Jabatan Insolvensi Malaysia.+

Bolehkah fail kebankrapan dipindahkan daripada satu cawangan Jabatan Insolvensi Malaysia ke cawangan Jabatan Insolvensi Malaysia yang lain?
Sibankrap boleh membuat permohonan pemindahan fail ke cawangan Jabatan Insolvensi Malaysia lain dengan mengemukakan permohonan ke cawangan Jabatan Insolvensi Malaysia di mana fail ditadbirkan sekiranya dibuktikan alamat terkini si bankrap berada di dalam bidang kuasa mahkamah yang berhampiran dengan cawangan yang dipohon untuk dipindahkan.

Bolehkah si bankrap memindah milik hartanya?
o Si bankrap tidak dibenarkan memindah milik hartanya dalam tempoh kebankrapannya. Segala pindah milik yang dibuat oleh sibankrap dalam tempoh dua (2) tahun hingga lima (5) tahun sebelum Perintah Kebankrapannya boleh dibatalkan oleh Ketua Pengarah Insolvensi.
o Walau bagaimanapun, jika si bankrap ingin menjual/memindahmilik harta miliknya, si bankrap boleh membuat permohonan kepada Ketua Pengarah Insolvensi.

Bolehkah si bankrap membuat pembayaran terus kepada pemiutang-pemiutang untuk tujuan penyelesaian hutangnya?
Si bankrap tidak dibenarkan membuat sebarang pembayaran terus kepada pemiutang. Segala pembayaran hendaklah dibuat melalui Ketua Pengarah Insolvensi.

Bolehkah si bankrap mengerjakan haji dan umrah?
Si bankrap dibenarkan mengerjakan haji dan umrah dengan mengemukakan sebagaimana permohonan untuk ke luar negara. Walau bagaimanapun, kebenaran hanyalah diberikan sekali sahaja sepanjang tempoh kebankrapannya.

Kursus Pengurusan & Perancangan Kewangan Peribadi Komprehensif

2009-06-03T09:27:00.002+08:00

Maklumat Kursus:-

Nor Azmi Omar, seorang Perancang Kewangan Bertauliah akan mengendalikan satu kursus pengurusan dan perancangan kewangan peribadi pada:-

Tarikh : 27 Jun 2009 @ Sabtu
Masa : 9.30 pagi - 1.30 ptg
Lokasi : 3-1-1, Jln Medan PB1A Seksyen 9, Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor (sebelah Kopitiam Bangi)
Bayaran : RM50 (sebelum 24 Jun 2009) , RM70 (selepas 24 Jun 2009)

Pelbagai panduan pengurusan dan perancangan kewangan akan diberikan dalam kursus ini.

Untuk pendaftaran kursus, sila buat pembayaran ke:

Akaun Maybank Nor Azmi Omar - 1143 3900 2928 atau
Akaun CIMB Smart Planner Biz Svc - 1258 0000 2211 01

Sila berikan maklumat iaitu nama, no HP dan alamat ke emel norazmi88@yahoo.com

Maklumat lanjut sila layari:-

http://smartplannerbiz.blogspot.com/

Maklumat mengenai En. Nor Azmi Omar:-

En Nor Azmi Omar merupakan seorang Perancang Kewangan Bertauliah (CFP) & memegang ijazah Sarjana Muda Perakaunan dari Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). Setelah 7 tahun membina kerjaya di dalam industri pembrokeran saham, beliau menjadi konsultan sepenuh masa untuk industri amanah saham, takaful & pengagihan harta bersama beberapa syarikat kewangan seperti CIMB, Etiqa & sebagainya.

Kini beliau menubuhkan Smart Planner Biz Services yang dilesenkan oleh Suruhanjaya Sekuriti (SC)untuk memberi nasihat kewangan peribadi kepada pelanggan individu & korporat. Di antara bidang pegkhususan nasihat kewangan yang disediakan ialah Pengurusan Tunai, Penstrukturan Semula Hutang, Perancangan Pelaburan, Perancangan Perlindungan Takaful, Pengurusan Pembahagian Harta, Wasiat & Hibah, Perancangan Cukai, Zakat serta Program Perancangan Kewangan Menyeluruh.

Pelbagai jenis seminar dan kursus pengurusan kewangan telah dilaksanakan di pelbagai organisasi & juga yang dibuat secara terbuka untuk orang ramai.

Apa itu kaveat?

2009-05-26T15:03:00.001+08:00

Di sini saya berikan pautan yang mana anda boleh rujuk sekiranya terdapat sebarang persoalan tentang apa itu kaveat.

http://tanah.perak.gov.my/hebahan/eseikavetinstunsiri5.pdf

Walaubagaimanapun, sekiranya transaksi anda terhalang disebabkan wujudnya kaveat, maka tuanpunya tanah atau mereka yang menentang kaveat itu perlu membawa perkara ini ke mahkamah dan mendapatkan perintah mahkamah untuk menyelesaikan isu kewujudan kaveat di atas hartanah tersebut. Dalam hal ini, anda dinasihatkan untuk melantik peguam bagi mewakili anda.

Harus diingat peguam yang anda lantik untuk mengendalikan Perjanjian Jual Beli anda hanya dilantik untuk mengendalikan Perjanjian Jual Beli dan/ atau untuk mengendalikan pindah milik hartanah yang anda beli. Sekiranya ada masalah mengenai isu kaveat, anda boleh melantik peguam yang sama untuk mengendalikan isu kaveat ini (sekiranya peguam tersebut bersetuju) atau anda boleh melantik peguam lain. Ini bermakna ada anda perlu menanggung kos guaman secara berasingan dalam hal ini. Kos guaman dalam hal ini adalah berbeza, bergantung kepada peguam/ firma yang mengendalikan perkara ini. Untuk mengelakkan sebarang masalah, adalah lebih baik jika anda mendapatkan “quotation” sebelum melantik peguam dalam hal ini.

Harap maklumat di atas dapat membantu anda.

-Rose-

Sale & Purchase of Property – how much is your legal cost?

2009-05-26T14:11:00.004+08:00

Part 3

Discount?
Sorry, lawyers are not allowed to give discount in preparing the Sale & Purchase Agreement.

Why?

We do not want to face disciplinary action by the Bar Council.
We do not want to be penalized by Bar Council.
Some lawyers had tried to oppose to this "No Discount Rules" during the AGM/ EGM but to no avail due to insufficient votes. There were voices of lawyers who were against this "No Discount Rules" but not many who were against this rules attended the AGM/ EGM when the motion to introduce and to implement this "No Discount Rules" were carried out. So, today all Malaysian lawyers have to abide to this Rules failing which they'll face disciplinary action/ be penalized by Bar Council.

So, generally when it comes to the legal fees for non-contentious business, lawyers in Malaysia are governed by:-

1. Solicitors' Remuneration Order 2005; and
2. Solicitors' Remuneration (Enforcement) Rules 2004

According to Rule 3 of Solicitors' Remuneration (Enforcement) Rules 2004 :-

Rule 3. Display of "No Discount" signage

(1) After the coming into force of these Rules, no advocate and solicitor shall carry out any non-contentious business governed by the Solicitors’ Remuneration Order unless he displays inside the premises at which he carries on practice a signage in the form and substance described in sub-rule (2) hereof.

(2) The signage shall contain words to the following effect in Bahasa Malaysia:
"Legal fees for property transactions such as sale & purchase, loan, banking facility and other non-contentious business governed by the Solicitors’ Remuneration Order are fixed by law and LAWYERS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PROVIDE DISCOUNT."

TRANSLATION
[ Yuran guaman bagi transaksi harta tanah seperti urusan jualbeli, pinjaman, kemudahan bank dan urusan lain yang tidakmelibatkan perbalahan dan dikawal oleh Perintah Saraan Peguamcara adalah ditetapkan oleh undang-undang dan PEGUAM-PEGUAM TIDAK DIBENARKAN MEMBERI DISKAUN.]

Sale & Purchase of Property – how much is your legal cost?

2009-05-26T12:22:00.005+08:00

Part 2

1.1 Legal cost for the Sale & Purchase Agreement (the cost is on the Purchaser)

Part A – Professional Fee (based on the Purchase Price)
o For the first RM150,000 x 1.0% (subject to a minimum fee of RM300
o For the next RM850,000 x 0.7%
o For the next RM2,000,000 x 0.6%
+ 5% government tax

Part B – Disbursement (estimation cost:- RM500 – RM1,000)
o Stamping of SPA (RM10 per copy x 4)
o Bankruptcy/ Winding up search
o Company search (if applicable)
o Land search (before preparation of the SPA & prior to the filing of the Form 14A at the
Land Office)
o Registration of Transfer at Land Office
o Affirmation on the Statutory Declaration to request for the 50% waiver on the stamp duty
on the transfer/ on the assignment
o Stamping on the Statutory Declaration to request for the 50% waiver on the stamp duty
on the transfer/ on the assignment
o Transportation
o Printing/ Facsimile/ Telephone/ Photocopy charges
o Miscellaneous charges

Part C - Stamp duty on transfer of property/ on the Assignment (based on the market value)
The 1st RM100,000 x 1%
+ The 2nd RM100,000 x 2%
+ The balance of the market value x 3%
= Total Stamp Duty of Transfer/ on the Assignment

1.2 Legal cost for the Loan Agreement (not applicable if the purchaser pay the purchase price by way of cash and without obtaining any loan from any institutions)

Part A – Professional Fee (based on the total loan amount)
o For the first RM150,000 x 1.0% (subject to a minimum fee of RM300
o For the next RM850,000 x 0.7%
o For the next RM2,000,000 x 0.6%
+ 5% government tax

Part B – Disbursement (estimation cost:- RM500 – RM800)
o Bankruptcy/ Winding up search
o Company search (if applicable)
o Registration of Charge at Land Office
o Affirmation on the Statutory Declaration of non-bankruptcy
o Stamping on the Statutory Declaration of non-bankruptcy
o Transportation
o Printing/ Facsimile/ Telephone/ Photocopy charges
o Miscellaneous charges

Part C - Stamping of the Loan Agreement
o total loan amount x 0.5%

* To minimize your cost, you may apply for the “zero entry cost” loan whereby the bank will bear this cost. This package is available from various major banks in Malaysia. However, please take note that the interest rates imposed by the bank for this “zero entry cost” package may be higher than the normal housing loan facility.

2.1 Vendor's Legal cost for the Sale & Purchase Agreement (not applicable if the Vendor decides not to appoint any Solicitors for the Sale & Purchase Agreement)

Part A – Professional Fee (based on the Purchase Price)
o For the first RM150,000 x 1.0% (subject to a minimum fee of RM300
o For the next RM850,000 x 0.7%
o For the next RM2,000,000 x 0.6%
+ 5% government tax

Part B – Disbursement (estimation cost:- RM150 – RM350)
o Transportation
o Printing/ Facsimile/ Telephone/ Photocopy charges
o Miscellaneous charges

2.2 Vendor's Legal cost for the discharge of charge (not applicable if the property is free from any bank loans/ has already been fully redeemed from the bank)

Part A (Professional Fee) + Part B (Disbursement): the estimation cost is between RM500 – RM800

2.3 Vendor's Legal cost for application of the consent from State Authority (subject to the restriction under the title. If no consent is required, then this is not applicable)

Part A (Professional Fee) + Part B (Disbursement): the estimation cost is between RM500 – RM800 (subject to the charges imposed by the respective Land Office

I hope the above information would be helpful to you. Cheers!

-Rose-

Sale & Purchase of Property – how much is your legal cost?

2009-05-26T12:10:00.003+08:00

Part 1

I’ve received a lot of emails, phone calls and text messages on my mobile with regards to this question.

As the question sounds very simple, people tend to assume that I can easily and immediately provide them with a precise answer. This is wrong. Despite my previous explanation that the legal cost is subject to certain factors, I’m still until now - keep being asked to answer this question.

Thus, for the benefit of everyone, I’ll give a brief guidelines on how much do you want to estimate your legal cost in relation to sale & purchase of a property. Please take note that this is just a guideline to estimate your legal fees. I am not responsible for any errors in providing this guideline. Any comments to correct this guideline are most welcomed.

1. Cost for the Purchaser:-
1.1 Legal cost for the Sale & Purchase Agreement (the cost is on the Purchaser)
1.2 Legal cost for the Loan Agreement (not applicable if the purchaser pay the purchase price by way of cash and without obtaining any loan from any institutions)

2. Cost for the Vendor:-
2.1 Legal cost for the Sale & Purchase Agreement (not applicable if the Vendor decides not to appoint any Solicitors for the Sale & Purchase Agreement)
2.2 Legal cost for the discharge of charge (not application if the property is free from any bank loans/ has already been fully redeemed from the bank)
2.3 Legal cost for application of the consent from State Authority (subject to the restriction under the title. If no consent is required, then this is not applicable)

to be continued in Part 2

Ketahui kelayakan anda untuk membuat pinjaman

2009-04-28T22:43:00.002+08:00

Mungkin ramai yang tidak mengetahui bahawa sebelum Perjanjian Jual Beli (SPA) hartanah ditandatangani, anda boleh membuat permohonan pinjaman perumahan dari institusi kewangan terlebih dahulu. Ini akan mengelakkan anda kerugian 10% duit muka beli rumah sekiranya loan anda tidak diluluskan.

Dokumen yang selalunya diperlukan oleh pihak bank:-

Salinan IC peminjam2 baru (pembeli)
Salinan 3 bulan penyata gaji (yang terkini)
Salinan 3 bulan penyata bank gaji (yang terkini)
Salinan EA form/ Penyata EPF (yang terkini)
Salinan geran rumah/ SPA yang terdahulu (perlu diperolehi dari penjual).

Permohonan seperti ini boleh diuruskan oleh peguam yang anda lantik. Sekiranya ada rezeki, loan anda akan diluluskan dan bank akan keluarkan satu surat tawaran bersyarat iaitu:- SPA perlu ditandatangani dalam tempoh berapa hari yang ditetapkan.

Sambil menyelam sambil minum air

Secara tak langsung akan akan mengetahui:-

berapa jumlah kelayakan pinjaman anda; dan
berapa harga semasa hartanah tersebut.

Di sinilah anda boleh buat keputusan untuk:-

cari rumah lain di kawasan yg sama dan dapatkan harga yang lebih rendah dari harga pasaran
meneruskan atau membatalkan niat membeli kerana tahu kemampuan kewangan diri & keluarga berbanding dengan bayaran bulanan yang perlu dibayar kepada bank.

Antara kesilapan biasa yang dilakukan oleh pembeli ketika membeli hartanah

2009-04-26T22:31:00.006+08:00

Bersetuju dengan harga hartanah tanpa menyelidiki harga pasaran.

Pastikan harga hartanah sama dengan harga semasa atau kurang dari harga semasa. Ini adalah kerana pihak institusi kewangan hanya akan meluluskan pinjaman kewangan anda berdasarkan harga pasaran semasa (market value) hartanah tersebut. Contohnya, jika anda telah bersetuju hendak membeli pada harga RM250,000.00 sedangkan market value hartanah adalah RM210,000.00 maka pihak institusi kewangan hanya akan meluluskan pinjaman perumahan sebanyak 85%-95% dari Rm210,000.00 (market value). Tetapi, sekiranya harga belian lebih rendah dari market value, maka tiada masalah kerana pihak institusi kewangan akan meluluskan pinjaman kewangan anda sebanyak 85%-95% dari harga belian.

Tidak memaklumkan kepada penjual bahawa baki 10% duit muka (down payment) akan dibayar menerusi pengeluaran KWSP.

Ada penjual yang mahu pembeli membayar baki 10% down payment pada masa perjanjian ditandatangani. Ini akan menimbulkan masalah kepada pembeli yang tiada kemampuan tunai dan berniat hendak mengeluarkan wang dari KWSP. Antara dokumen yang diperlukan untuk membuat pengeluaran KWSP untuk pembelian rumah adalah, perlu mengemukakan salinan Perjanjian Jual Beli (SPA) yang telah dimatikan setem. Dalam keadaan ini sudah semestinya pembeli tidak dapat membayar baki duit muka pada masa SPA ditandatangani. Adakah anda mempunyai wang simpanan yang mencukupi sekiranya ini berlaku?

Membayar deposit atau wang tempahan (booking fee) tanpa mempunyai sebarang bukti bertulis.

Ada pembeli yang membayar booking fee kepada penjual tanpa mempunyai sebarang bukti bertulis. Malah, segala yang dipersetujui di antara pembeli dan penjual juga tidak ditulis secara tepat di atas sebarang kerta. Contohnya:- 1. Mengenai pembayaran duit muka melalui pengeluaran KWSP. Sekiranya tiada bukti bertulis, penjual mungkin akan menyatakan di kemudian hari kelak bahawa dia mahu pembayaran duit muka dilangsaikan semasa SPA ditandatangani. 2. Sekiranya pinjaman bank tidak diluluskan adakah pembeli boleh membatalkan transaksi pembelian tanpa sebarang gantirugi?

Membayar penuh 10% deposit sebelum melantik peguam

Ada pembeli yang terus membayar penuh 10% deposit kepada penjual sebelum melantik peguam. Sebaik-baiknya lantik peguam terlebih dahulu kerana peguam akan mengambil beberapa langkah untuk memastikan pembeli tidak ditipu. Contohnya peguam akan membuat carian kebankrapan ke atas penjual dan juga carian tanah ke atas hartanah yang hendak dibeli. Adalah penting untuk memastikan penjual bukan seorang bankrupt (muflis) dan hartanah yang hendak dijual adalah benar-benar milik penjual. Elakkan dari menjadi mangsa penipuan penjualan hartanah!

Harap tips di atas dapat membantu!

-Rose-

Legal Seminar: How to deal with legal action instituted by financial institution

2009-02-13T17:52:00.006+08:00

Kindly be informed that the next Legal Seminar will be held as follows:-

Topic: How to deal with legal action instituted by financial institution
Date: 28 March 2009 (Saturday)
Venue: Corus Hotel, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur
Time: 1.00pm-6.00pm
Fee: RM350/ person (early bird: RM300)
Registration will be closed on 15 March 2009
Register before 26 February 2009 to entitle for early bird registration fee!
To arrange for registration & payment, please sms your name, i/c no. & hp number to 019-3452945.

Kindly take note:-

The seminar room can only accommodate 30 pax, as such the number of participants will be limited to 30 person only.

Registration will start from 12.30pm
Seminar will start sharp at 1.00pm
Refreshment will be provided
Prayer room is available

*********************************************************************************
Ringkasan:-

Ramai yang tidak tahu apakah tindakan yang perlu dilakukan apabila menerima notis tuntutan dari institusi pinjaman berlesen, sama ada sebagai peminjam mahupun penjamin.
Malah, ramai yang berdiam diri, tidak kurang juga ada yang berpindah randah kerana menyangkakan masalah seperti ini tidak dapat diselesaikan.
Apabila menerima saman dari mahkamah, ada yang bertindak mengabaikan saman tersebut dan kemudiannya menyesal kerana mendapati nama telah tersenarai dalam CTOS.
Ada yang juga yang keliru dengan terma "disenarai hitam" atau pun "blacklisted".
Malah ada yang menganggap CCRIS dan CTOS adalah terma yang membawa maksud yang sama, sedangkan ini adalah salah.
Seminar ini akan membantu anda memahami beberapa isu, antara lain:-

Apakah jenis surat tuntutan yang dikeluarkan oleh institusi kewangan/ wakil mereka?
Mengapa notis tuntutan dikeluarkan oleh pihak bank?
Apakah proses dan prosedur yang perlu dipatuhi apabila hendak menjual kenderaan kepada pihak lain, sedangkan pinjaman kenderaan masih belum diselesaikan?
Apakah yang perlu dilakukan apabila menerima notis tuntutan?
Bagaimanakah cara untuk berunding dengan pihak bank tanpa menggunakan khidmat peguam?
Apakah yang perlu dilakukan apabila menerima saman dari mahkamah?
Bagaimana hendak memfailkan notis kehadiran di mahkamah?
Adakah perlu memfailkan pembelaan?
Apakah bentuk penyata pembelaan yang perlu difailkan?
Ketahui cara-cara melantik peguam dan apakah hak anda apabila perlantikan peguam telah dibuat.
Bolehkah rundingan dengan pihak bank dibuat walaupun kes telah dibawa ke peringkat mahkamah?
Fahami jenis-jenis tindakan undang-undang yang ada di Malaysia.
Apakah itu tindakan kebankrapan?
Di peringkat manakah rumah boleh disita?
Apakah itu CTOS?
Ketahui sistem CCRIS dan perbezaannya dengan CTOS.

Sesi soal jawab secara terbuka akan diadakan selama 1 jam selepas topik di atas dibentangkan kepada peserta seminar.

2008-11-25T13:37:00.002+08:00

Nor Azmi Omar, A Certified Financial Planner and his team will be organizing a cash flow management workshop. A workshop on “Comprehensive Personal Financial Planning”.

Date: 30 November 2008 (Sunday)
Time: 10 am – 2 pm
Venue: Kompleks Kejiranan Precint 9, Putrajaya
Speaker: Nor Azmi Omar (A Certified Financial Planner)
Fee: RM60.00 / person

Register before 27 November 2008 to entitle for RM10 discount!

Seats are limited for 30 person only.

To register, please sms your name, your nric no. and your email address to 019-2601503

Note: The blog owner will also speak on CTOS & CCRIS issues for 20 minutes

Lawyers Jokes - A little old lady & a banker!

2008-11-24T23:30:00.000+08:00

A little old lady went into The Bank of Canada one day, carrying a bag of money. She insisted on speaking with the president of the bank. Because she was a little old lady and it was such a lot of money, they were finally able to get her in to the president's office.

He asked her how much she would like to deposit. She said she had $165,000 and then she dumped the money out onto his desk. The president, surprised, was curious to know how she came by so much cash. "I make bets." she replied. The president asked, "Bets? What kind of bets?"

"Well," said the little old lady, "for example, I'll bet you $25,000 that your balls are square." "Ha!" laughed the president, "That's a stupid bet, you can never win with that kind of bet!" The old lady quickly responded, "So, would you like to take my bet?" "Sure!" said the president, "I'll bet $25,000 that my balls aren't square!" The little old lady said, "Okay, but since there's a lot of money involved, is it okay with you if I bring my lawyer with me tomorrow at 10:00 am to witness?" "Absolutely!" said the president.

That night, the president became very nervous about the bet, and spent a long time in front of the mirror checking his balls; turning from side to side, again and again, thoroughly checking them out until he was sure there was no way his balls were square.

Next morning, at 10 am, the little old lady appeared with her lawyer at the president's office. She introduced the lawyer to the president and repeated the bet. The president agreed to the bet again, and the old lady asked him to drop his pants so they could see. The president did so. The old lady looked closely at his balls and then asked if she could feel them. "Well.......okay," said the president, "$25,000 is a lot of money, so I guess you should be absolutely sure." Then he noticed that the lawyer was quietly banging his head against the wall. "What's wrong with your lawyer?" he asked. The little old lady replied, "Nothing, except I bet him $100,000 that at 10 am today I'd have the Bank of Canada President's balls in my hands.

(source: malaysian bar's website)

Business deals - the importance of having a proper agreement. Be well protected!

2008-11-22T13:23:00.002+08:00

Today you may have a good business deals with a good company. Regardless of how far you trust the other party, how close you are with them, make sure you have a proper agreement, executed between the contracting parties and duly stamped.

Perhaps you can read the news posted on major local newspaper today:-

KUALA LUMPUR: Bruce Willis, star of the popular Die Hard movies, has sued Malaysia's Petra Group and its chairman, Tunku Imran Ibni Tuanku Ja'afar, to recoup US$900,000 (RM3.27 million) which he claims he is owed by the company.

The suit was filed in a Los Angeles federal court, against Elastomer Technologies Ltd. Willis accuses Petra and its executives of breach of contract and unjust enrichment, according to a Bloomberg report.

read more...

The Claimant claimed that there is a breach of contract.... however, the Respondent denied the claim by saying that both parties have agreed on a settlement plan.

So, make sure you have a proper agreement!

Urusan Jual beli: Pengguna Masih Tidak Terlindung

2008-10-12T14:28:00.003+08:00

1. Pengenalan

Dari segi sejarah, urusan jual beli adalah merupakan satu bentuk hubungan ekonomi dan sosial yang telah lama wujud1. Bermula dari konsep pertukaran barangan (sistem barter) kemudiannya penggunaan kulit siput sebagai medium pertukaran, kini manusia telah mempunyai satu sistem kewangan yang maju dan canggih. Urusan jual beli bermaksud satu bentuk hubungan di antara pihak penjual dan pembeli yang melibatkan pertukaran barangan dan matawang. la berasaskan prinsip kehendak dan permintaan iaitu manusia sentiasa mahukan sesuatu samada untuk memenuhi keperluan atau untuk tujuan keselesaan hidup. Urusan jual beli adalah permulaan kepada sistem ekonomi di peringkat asas, ia akhimya akan membentuk satu kerangka ekonomi yang bersifat global dan lebih kompleks. Namun, semakin ia berkembang, pihak pembeli atau pengguna akan terus menerima kesan samada baik atau buruk. Golongan pengguna perlu dilindungi untuk memastikan supaya mereka tidak teraniaya. Undang-undang adalah salah satu cara untuk melindungi kepentingan pengguna, tetapi persoalannya, setakat mana ia mampu memberi perlindungan tersebut. Dalam skop perbincangan tentang perkara ini, kita akan mengkaji situasi urusan jual beli di negara ini untuk melihat setakat mana pengguna dilindungi. Sebelum kita membincangkan samada pengguna dilindungi atau tidak dalam urusan jual beli, terlebih dahulu kita harus mengenal-pasti siapakah yang dimaksudkan sebagai pengguna.

untuk membaca isi kandungan selanjutnya, sila klik link berikut:-

http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/consumer_protection/urusan_jual_beli_pengguna_masih_tidak_terlindung.html

Untuk makluman, penulis kepada artikel ini adalah Encik Mohaji Selamat, Peguam Persekutuan, Bahagian Guaman, Jabatan Peguam Negara dan merupakan Pemenang Tempat Pertama Pertandingan Menulis Makalah Undang-Undang dalam Bahasa Melayu 2002.

Risk of being a guarantor - Part II

2008-10-07T13:39:00.000+08:00

from part I ...

So, it's better for you to know all these details, rather than being surprised 3-4 years later. Worst, you don't want your name to be recorded in CTOS right? How if you suddenly found your banks account frozen because you have just been declared a bankrupt???

**********************************************************************************

You may want to consider the following steps should you found out that your name is recorded in CTOS database:-

Go to CTOS & conduct search on your name.

CTOS address : please refer to www.ctos.com.my
You have to bring your IC to conduct the search. No representative is allowed to conduct search on your behalf.
The charge: FREE
If you cannot go to CTOS office, you can download a form from CTOS website and print the form. Follow the instruction given in the website. The form can be posted to CTOS and they will contact you via telephone &inform you the search result-

your name is clear from CTOS database; or
they found the IC / name matched the information that you provide in the form

You will find the name of the party you initiated the legal action against you. The name, contact number, the reference number of the party including their lawyer can be found in the search report.
Negotiate with the party how can you be released from the debt. (you may consider seeking legal advice for this)
Upon reaching settlement with the bank, make sure everything is in black & white.
Keep the release letter from that party and give a copy of the same to CTOS.
CTOS will update your status in their database which reflects that you have settled your debts.
Remember: your name will still remain in CTOS database with a new status about the settlement of the debt. CTOS will not delete your name from their system. However, with the new status, normally you'll not have any problems to apply for a new bank loan.

Thanks.

Rose.

Note: all information availabe in this blog is published on a without prejudice basis. Please engage a lawyer should you face any legal actions.

Risk of being a guarantor - part I

2008-10-07T13:37:00.001+08:00

Dear all,

have you ever heard of this situation:

3 years ago, 1 of my friend had a problem to obtain loan for his brand new car. The loan was not approved but the bank said they can consider if there is a guarantor. So, I helped her because I trust her, & I know her very well. I became her guarantor for that hire purchase. I never asked her about her new car / the installment progress. My husband & I decided to buy a house. Surprisingly, our loan was rejected because my name has been listed under CTOS. We were advised to go to CTOS & checked my CTOS record. We found out that my best friend did not pay the hire purchase installment after 1 year she bought the car. The car was repossessed & later auctioned by the bank. Although the car was already auctioned, there is a balance of RM100,000.00, to be paid to the bank being the differential sum. The bank claimed for the balance thru court summons. I was not aware of this. When I checked with the bank they said, if I want to clear my name from CTOS, then I have to pay the bank RM60,000.00! What??? It's not my car! & I never get any summons. In fact the bank said, judgment has been obtained from the court because both of the borrower (my best friend), and the guarantor (me) did not attend the court on the mentioned day. According to the bank, they have served the summons on us by putting an advertisement in newspaper. Worst, they are now in the process of obtaining bankruptcy order from the court because the amount of the judgment sum is more than RM30,000.00. What do I do now?????? Please help me.

I believe most of us have heard of this story.

The best way to avoid this problem is DON'T AGREE TO BECOME GUARANTOR FOR OTHERS.

If you decided to become a guarantor, you may want to consider to take the following steps:-

To state your actual address in the guarantee form;
To provide the bank with your contact number, both mobile/ residential no.
To take note of the bank's name, address & contact no.
To take note the details of the facility i.e. what type of facility? hire purchase? property financing? personal loan? business loan?
Make sure you get a copy of the agreement. If you don't have, then contact & request from the bank for a copy of the same/ from the lawyer who prepared the agreement.
Make sure you have a copy of the borrower's IC, and write down his/ her permament address, his/ her contact number:- mobile, office, residential.

Why do u need the above mentioned particulars? This is to ensure, if there is an arrears of the monthly repayment by the borrower, then you'll get a copy of the notice from the bank. You'll have the full knowledge of the situation. In fact when it later reach court's stage, then you will be aware of the same. Take note, by hiding your address from the bank will not make you avoid any legal action. If summons couldn't be served on you because you informed that bank the old/ wrong address, the bank later can advertise the summons on the news paper. Under the law, the advertisement in newspaper is a sufficient service. The summons is deemed served on you, 14 days upon such advertisement.

So, it's better for you to know all these details, rather than being surprised 3-4 years later. Worst, you don't want your name to be recorded in CTOS right? How if you suddenly found your banks account frozen because you have just been declared a bankrupt???

To be continued in PART II.

-Rose-

Buying a property - how long does it takes?

2008-10-07T13:36:00.001+08:00

This is a very short question. However, don't be surprised that the answer is not that simple.

Among the factors that will effect the sale & purchase agreement/ processing period of transfer of name on the property title are:-

are you buying a new property (from developer) or, is this a sub-sale matter (2nd hand property)
has the individual title been issued by land office? or is the property still under master title?
what type of restriction of interest stated on the property title? i.e. is it a malay reservation land? is there any consent required to be obtained from local authority?
is the property still charged to any bank?

Please take note that this explanation is just a general explanation, which may not be the correct answer because the process will be different when you buy a property without individual title/ with master title/ malay reservation land/ any other restriction imposed on the title. Please consult your lawyer for exact explanation.

There are several stages that you need to understand:-

Negotiation stage

how much is the purchase price?
if you intend to apply for a housing loan, don't buy a property beyond market price because bank will normally finance your purchase between 80%-95% from the purchase price/ market price - whichever is lower (please survey the offers made by the licensed financial institutions). For those who intend to obtain 100% loan from government, the loan is subject to market price as well.
To know the market price, you may conduct your own survey.
how much is the agreed deposit?
how much is the agreed down payment (normally 10%)?
how about the term of payment for the balance of purchase price? normally it's 3 months and may be extended subject to interest (normally between 8%-10% per annum). For those who wish to obtain government loan, you may consider to negotiate with the Vendor for a longer time (i.e. 6 months).

Sale & Purchase Agreement

Required docs:-

Copy of NRIC of both Vendor & Purchaser
Copy of previous s&p/ copy of title/ any relevant docs
Copy of housing loan agreement/ deed of assignment
Details of current financier i.e. address (if the property is still charged to any financial institution, or the housing loan has not been fully settled by the Vendor)

Preparation of S&P will be done upon completion of the following task:-

bankruptcy search on both Vendor & Purchaser
land search on the property

The solicitors will prepare:-

The Sale & Purchase Agreement
The Memorandum of Transfer (MOT @ Form 14A) - if the property has individual title
The Deed of Assignment - if the property is still under master title
The Discharge of Charge (if any) (Form 16N)
The Charge Form
Statutory Declaration of Non-Bankruptcy
Undertaking letter to refund monies released by the bank in case the MOT/ Charge/ Discharge form could not be perfected
any other relevant docs
request for consent from state authority (if applicable - subject to type of restriction stated in the property title)
request for confirmation from the developer (if the property is still under master title)

Appointment of solicitors

take note that it's important to have your own lawyer to safeguard your interest
there are 2 fees involved:-

professional fees (subject to the purchase price) + 5% govt tax
disbursement fees (include stamping of s&p, stamp duty on memorandum of transfer (for property with title)/ stamp duty on assignment (for property without title), transportation, bankruptcy search, etc.)
all the fees charged by the solicitors for property transaction / loan documentation is subject to the Solicitors Remuneration Order (SRO). Solicitors are prohibited from giving discount to client on the fees charged to their Clients. Failure to adhere to this rule is an offence under SRO (which may lead to disciplinary action by Disciplinary Board)

Please take note, there are 3 different charges:-

cost for sale & purchase agreement (borne by the purchaser)
cost for loan agreement (borne the borrower / purchaser)
cost for discharge of charge/ receipt & reassignment (borne the vendor)

Payment of the Purchase Price

Not everyone can afford to pay the purchase by way of cash. If the Purchaser pay the purchase price by way of cash, then the process will be easier &it may save a lot of time.
However, for those who wish to obtain loan, this may take a longer period because the process of application may take some times. And a lot of things need to be done by the lawyer before advising the bank to release the loan.
Make sure you have all the required documents:-

Copy of both Vendor & Purchaser IC
Your current address, contact details (both residential & office)
Copy of 3 months bank statement
Copy of 3 months salary slip
Copy of EA/ J form / Latest EPF Statement
Copy of title of the property/ old S&P
Any additional information about the property:-

type of renovation/ extension & cost (including built in wardrobe, kitchen cabinet etc...)

Once the loan is approved, then the Bank's Solicitors will have to request for the redemption statement from the S&P Solicitors (if the Vendor has not paid in full the current loan).
S&P Solicitors will later request the redemption statement from the current bank.
Within 1-2 weeks (depending on the bank), the redemption statement will be issued by the current bank.
Then the new bank will have to prepare the redemption sum in favour of the current bank. This may also take about 3-7 days (or longer, depending on the documentation/ processing period by the bank).
Upon getting the cheque from the new bank, the current bank will release the documents i.e. original title, discharge form, duplicate charge
The S&P Solicitors will forward all the relevant docs to the Bank's solicitors.
Upon getting all the documents, the bank's lawyer will have to present the MOT/ CHarge Form/ Discharge of Charge to the relevant land office
Depending on the bank, some bank may release the balance of purchase price upon registration of private caveat on the property. Then only the solicitor can advise the bank to release balance of the purchase price.
however there are certain banks that require the Registration of MOT & Charge Form to be presented to the land office, then only they will release the balance of the purchase price.
presentation of MOT means the perfection on the transfer of name on the property title, from Vendor to Purchaser.

I guess no lawyers can guarantee how long will it takes for the transfer of name on the property to be completed, from the date of signing of the S&P. A lot of contributing factors to be considered:-

how long does it takes for your lawyer to prepare the s&p?
how long does it takes for the bank to issue instruction to their solicitor to prepare loan documents?
how long does it takes for the developer to issue notice of confirmation? - if applicable
how long does it takes for the land office to issue their consent? - if applicable
how long does it takes for the current bank to issue redemption statement?
how long does it takes for the assessment notice to be issued by LHDN?
how long does it takes for the new bank to release redemption sum?
how long does it takes for the current bank to release original title/ discharge of charge/ duplicate charge/ receipt & reassignment?
how long does it takes for the land office to register the MOT?
how long does it takes for the new bank to release the balance payment?

So, hope the above explanation would be helpful for people to have a better understanding on the process of buying a property, especially in relation to the legal documentation & preparation by the solicitor.

Regards,
-rose-

Intellectual Property - issue on illegal software (copyright)

2008-10-07T13:34:00.000+08:00

Are you using an illegal software? Microsoft may not know that you are using illegal Microsoft Office in your premise. However, beware of Business Software Alliance (BSA), a watchdog company for most of the software companies i.e. Microsoft, IBM, Apple etc.....

BSA clients' offers monetary award to those who can provide BSA with information of any illegal use of their clients' software. The value of the award differs from 1 company to another. Upon getting the information from the informers, BSA will liaise with Ministry of Domestic Trade & Consumer Affairs to arrange for a raid. Should the raid succeed, the informer will get their money. (Please refer the article attached herewith. The pic shows the informer gets RM20,000.00).

Remember, using an illegal software is an act of infringement (of others' copyright). Under the Copyright Act, if you infringe others' copyright then you may be fined between RM4,000 up to RM500,000.00 depending on the type of infringement and/ or you may face imprisonment for a term of not exceeding 20 years.

DON'T USE ILLEGAL SOFTWARE.

Intellectual Property - issue on copyright

2008-10-07T13:33:00.000+08:00

This notice was published in Utusan Malaysia on 30 May 2008. To avoid this kind of problem, do not infringe others' IP (i.e.copyright/ patent/ trademark/ industrial design). You may end up with receiving injunction order and/ or destruction order and/ or award of damages from the Court.

As for this particular Notice, the act of infringement was on the copyright. For your information, there is no form of registration for copyright protection in Malaysia. However, there are certain ways on how can we protect our copyright i.e. through a Statutory Declaration of any particular work.

I'll continue next time with the type of work that is protected under Malaysian Copyright Act and how does your copyright be protected in any other countries.

Jangan panik jika anda kehilangan S&P asal

2008-10-07T13:30:00.000+08:00

Baru-baru ni saya membaca satu ruangan forum (bicara jutawan). Seorang rakan di BJ mengutarakan soalan mengenai kehilangan Sales & Purchase Agreement yang asal & juga Geran asal hartanah. Bagaimanakan tuan punya tanah hendak menjual hartanah dalam situasi ini? Ketika membeli hartanah tersebut beberapa tahun sebelum itu, beliau membeli hartanah secara tunai. Dan beliau juga tidak dapat menjejaki peguam yang bertanggungjawab dalam penyediaan S&P tersebut.

Perkara mengenai kehilangan S&P ini banyak terjadi.

Dalam urusan jual beli hartanah, S&P asal hanya diperlukan sekiranya hartanah tersebut belum mempunyai hakmilik indvidu (geran individu)

Bagi hartanah yang sudah mempunyai geran individu, perkara ini akan menjadi lebih mudah. Apa yg boleh anda buat adalah dengan merujuk kepada notis cukai pintu/ cukai tanah. Anda boleh pergi ke Pejabat Tanah yang bertanggungjawab untuk mendapatkan Certified True Copy bagi geran individu hartanah terbabit. Anda hanya perlu membayar RM50 (bergantung kepada Pejabat Tanah). Dalam tempoh kurang dari seminggu anda akan mendapat CTC geran hartanah anda.

& dengan adanya CTC geran anda, maka bolehlah anda meneruskan niat untuk menjual hartanah anda kepada pihak lain, tetapi mestilah tertakluk kepada syarat2 & sekatan kepentingan yang termaktub atas geran anda.

Bagi hartanah yang belum mempunyai geran individu (iaitu masih under Master Title/ Geran Induk), maka apa yang anda boleh merujuk kepada Majlis Peguam Malaysia di No. 13, 15 & 17, Leboh Pasar Besar, 50050 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (belakang Pasar Seni, Kuala Lumpur). Anda boleh melaporkan nama firma tersebut & Majlis Peguam akan cuba menjejaki alamat terkini firma tersebut. Sekiranya firma tersebut telah ditutup, Majlis Peguam selalunya ada rekod mengenai perpindahan/ penyimpanan fail anda.

Harap maklumat ini membantu anda semua.

TQ.