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2023 MarsdenLR 1043
HIGH COURT MALAYA KUALA LUMPUR
RE: TUNKU SOFIAH JEWA TUNKU MD JEWA & ANOR
[Originating Summon No: WA-24NCVC-62-01/2022]
A trust created by a Muslim is valid and can pass good title to beneficiaries, not forming part of the deceased trustee's estate after death.
Headnote:(A) National Land Code - Section 344 - Trust law regarding property ownership - A trust created by a Muslim is valid and can pass good title to beneficiaries, not forming part of the deceased trustee's estate post-death. (Paras 14, 20)
(B) The court emphasized that civil law applies to trust matters irrespective of the parties' religious backgrounds. (Paras 19, 25)
Facts of the case:
The applicants sought to cancel a Declaration of Trust dated 29 June 2010 and register the property in their names after the trustee's death. (Paras 1-12)
Findings of Court:
The trust was valid, and the applicants were entitled to register the property in their names. (Paras 20)
Issues: The primary issue was the validity of a trust created by a Muslim and its effect on property ownership after the trustee's death. (Paras 13)
Ratio Decidendi: The court found that under civil law, a trust created by a Muslim is valid and can transfer property rights to beneficiaries. (Paras 14, 25)
Result: Orders granted as per the applicants' request.
| Table of Content |
|---|
| 1. application details and trust declaration (Para 1 , 2 , 3) |
| 2. factual background of property and trust (Para 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12) |
| 3. validity of muslim-created trusts (Para 13) |
| 4. legal precedent on muslim trusts (Para 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19) |
| 5. court orders on property registration (Para 20) |
Introduction
[1] The two applicants Tunku Sofiah Jewa binti Tunku Md Jewa and Megat Shaharuddin Merican filed an Originating Summons [ex-parte] for the following orders:
1. Declaration of Trust bertarikh 29 Jun 2010 yang dibuat oleh Tunku Asiah binti Tunku Mohd Jiwa (No KP: 391030-02-5008) dan didaftarkan di Pejabat Tanah Daerah Kota Setar, Kedah berkaitan dengan hartanah dikenali sebagai HSM 620, PT 11014, Tempat Peremba, Mukim Pengkalan Kundor, Daerah Kota Setar, Negeri Kedah ("Hartanah") melalui Peserahan No. 321/2010 dibatalkan.
2. Pentadbir Tanah Daerah Kota Setar, Kedah hendaklah mendaftarkan nama Tunku Sofiah Jewa binti Tunku Md Jewa (No KP: 401222-02-5156) yang beralamat di No 52, Jalan SS1/23, Kampung Tunku, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor dan Sharifah Norzi Laili binti Syed Hashim (No KP: 620520-02-6210) yang beralamat di 5A-107, Emerald Hill Condo, Bukit Indah, 68000 Ampang, Selangor sebagai pemilik sesama ke atas Hartanah setelah pembatalan Pemegang Amanah dibuat;
3. Pentadbir Tanah Daerah Kota Setar, Kedah hendaklah mengambil tindakan/efek terhadap perkara Perintah Mahkamah ini apabila diserahkan sesalinan Perintah Mahkamah Yang Mulia ini; dan
4. Kos permohonan ditanggung oleh Pemohon-Pemohon.
5. Lain-lain relief yang Mahkamah fikir sesuai, adil dan bermanfaat.
[2] The Originating Summon [ex-parte] was filed in the Malay language with no English translation provided. In the English language it reads:
1. Declaration of Trust dated 29 June 2010 made by Tunku Asiah binti Tunku Mohd Jiwa (IC No: 391030-02-5008) and registered at the Kota Setar District Land Office, Kedah in connection with a property described as HSM 620, PT 11014, Tempat Peremba, Mukim Pengkalan Kundor, Daerah Kota Setar, Negeri Kedah ("Property") through Submission No 321/2010 be cancelled.
2. The District Land Administrator of Kota Setar, Kedah must register the name Tunku Sofiah Jewa binti Tunku Md Jewa (IC No.: 401222-02-5156) at No 52, Jalan SS1/23, Kampung Tunku, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor and Sharifah Norzi Laili binti Syed Hashim (IC No: 620520-02-6210) addressed at 5A-107, Emerald Hill Condo, Bukit Indah, 68000 Ampang, Selangor as owners of the Property in equal shares after the cancellation of the Trustee has been done;
3. The District Land Administrator of Kota Setar, Kedah shall take action/effect on this Court Order upon service of a copy of this Order of this Honourable Court; and
4. The cost of the application is borne by the applicants.
5. Other reliefs that the Court deems appropriate, fair and beneficial.
[3] The Originating Summon [ex-parte] was supported by the Affidavit of Tunku Sofiah Jewa binti Tunku Md Jewa (IC No: 401222-02-5156) and Megat Shaharuddin Merican (IC No: 650624-03-5397) dated 7 January 2022.
[4] I heard the Originating Summon [ex-parte] on 23 February 2022 and 28 February 2022. Both applicants practising in Tetuan Salleh Abas, Yaacob & Sofiah appeared as counsel before me. Counsel informed me that they are dropping prayer 1 and amending prayer 2 to delete the words "after the cancellation of the Trustee has been done".
[5] These are my Grounds of Judgment. I thank both counsel for their helpful and thorough Written Submissions.
Background Facts
[6] The facts are fairly straight-forward.
[7] Tunku Asiah binti Tunku Mohd Jiwa ["Trustee"] who is the sister of the 1st applicant and the aunt of the 2nd applicant is the registered owner of a landed property described as HSM 620, PT 11014, Tempat Peremba, Mukim Pengkalan Kundor, Daerah Kota Setar, Negeri Kedah. ["Property"]
[8] On 29 June 2010 the Trustee signed a Declaration of Trust whereby she declared that she was holding the Property in trust fo
