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Ganti Rugi Teruk dan Teladan: Definisi dan Prinsip Penggubalan

Ganti rugi teladan (exemplary damages):- Merupakan ganti rugi yang diberikan untuk menghukum defendan atas kelakuan buruk dan sebagai peringatan kepada orang lain agar tidak mengulangi perbuatan tersebut.- Biasanya diberikan dalam kes yang melampau dan menunjukkan tindakan yang menindas, sewenang-wenangnya, atau tidak berperlembagaan [](https://supremetoday.ai/doc/judgement/MY_MLRH_2018_5_MLRH_120), ["

CHE GAYEH A RAHMAN & SATU LAGI LWN. SAHIPUNIZAM ABDUL AZIZ & SATU LAGI - High Court

"].- Contoh jumlah yang diberikan termasuk RM5,000,000.00 ["

CASACORAZON SDN BHD & SATU LAGI LWN. KU MUHAMMAD HILMIE KU DIN - High Court

"], RM50,000.00 ["

Gan Chon Tat dan satu lagi lwn vs Gan Jin Sim @ Gan Gim Sim dan satu lagi

"], dan RM70,000.00 ["

KARTHIK GOVINDARAJOO & SATU LAGI LWN. GARTIBAN KARUNA NITHI & SATU LAGI - High Court

"].

Ganti rugi teruk (aggravated damages):- Diberikan apabila plaintif mengalami tekanan, kesusahan, cemas, atau penderitaan mental akibat perbuatan defendan, dan berbeza dari ganti rugi teladan.- Ia bertujuan menghukum defendan dan mencegah pengulangan kesalahan [](https://supremetoday.ai/doc/judgement/MY_MLRH_2018_5_MLRH_120), ["

CHE GAYEH A RAHMAN & SATU LAGI LWN. SAHIPUNIZAM ABDUL AZIZ & SATU LAGI - High Court

"].- Contoh jumlah termasuk RM20,000.00 [](https://supremetoday.ai/doc/judgement/MY_MLRH_2016_6_MLRH_675), RM50,000.00 ["

Gan Chon Tat dan satu lagi lwn vs Gan Jin Sim @ Gan Gim Sim dan satu lagi

"], dan RM1,000,000.00 [](https://supremetoday.ai/doc/judgement/MY_MLRA_2022_4_MLRA_147).

Prinsip-Prinsip Mengawal Ganti Rugi Teruk dan Teladan

  • Perbezaan utama:
  • Ganti rugi teladan bertujuan menghukum dan memberi peringatan, manakala ganti rugi teruk lebih kepada mengakui penderitaan plaintif akibat tindakan defendan ["

    CHE GAYEH A RAHMAN & SATU LAGI LWN. SAHIPUNIZAM ABDUL AZIZ & SATU LAGI - High Court

    "], [](https://supremetoday.ai/doc/judgement/MY_MLRH_2018_5_MLRH_120).
  • Kelayakan dan kategori:
  • Ganti rugi teladan hanya boleh diberikan jika memenuhi kategori tertentu berdasarkan kes Rookes v. Barnard (No 1) ["1964"] ["

    SHAPIEI ZAINAL ABIDIN & YANG LAIN LWN. KETUA POLIS DAERAH SHAH ALAM & YANG LAIN - High Court

    "], dan plaintif mesti menunjukkan bahawa mereka adalah mangsa perbuatan terkutuk tersebut [](https://supremetoday.ai/doc/judgement/MY_MLRH_2018_6_MLRH_562).
  • Kesesuaian dan kesungguhan:
  • Ganti rugi teladan dan teruk biasanya diberikan dalam kes yang melampau dan menunjukkan tindakan yang sangat buruk ["

    CASACORAZON SDN BHD & SATU LAGI LWN. KU MUHAMMAD HILMIE KU DIN - High Court

    "], ["

    CASACORAZON SDN BHD & SATU LAGI LWN. KU MUHAMMAD HILMIE KU DIN - High Court

    "].
  • Penolakan dan batasan:
  • Mahkamah sering menolak tuntutan ganti rugi teladan dan teruk jika fakta tidak memenuhi syarat atau jika perbuatan defendan tidak dianggap melampau [](https://supremetoday.ai/doc/judgement/MY_MLRH_2016_6_MLRH_675), ["

    MAJLIS AMANAH RAKYAT & YANG LAIN LWN. MAT NAWI AWANG - High Court

    "].
  • Faktor-faktor pengaruh:
  • Mahkamah akan mempertimbangkan faktor seperti kesalahan defendan, keseriusan perbuatan, dan kesan kepada plaintif [](https://supremetoday.ai/doc/judgement/MY_MLRH_2018_6_MLRH_562), ["

    PERNIAGAAN CHUAN SENG & SATU LAGI LWN. AMGENERAL INSURANCE BERHAD - Mahkamah Majistret Kluang

    "].

Kesimpulan

Ganti rugi teladan dan teruk adalah bentuk ganti rugi khas yang digunakan untuk menghukum defendan atas perbuatan yang melampau dan memberi peringatan kepada pihak lain. Prinsip utama mengatur pemberian ini adalah bahawa ia hanya layak diberikan dalam kes yang melampau dan memenuhi kategori tertentu, serta apabila plaintif dapat membuktikan bahawa mereka adalah mangsa perbuatan terkutuk tersebut. Mahkamah sering menolak tuntutan yang tidak memenuhi syarat ini atau apabila fakta tidak cukup kuat untuk membenarkan pemberian ganti rugi teladan dan teruk [](https://supremetoday.ai/doc/judgement/MY_MLRH_2016_6_MLRH_675), ["

CASACORAZON SDN BHD & SATU LAGI LWN. KU MUHAMMAD HILMIE KU DIN - High Court

"].
Principles of Ganti Rugi Teruk and Teladan Awards in Malaysian Civil Litigation Claims

Understanding Ganti Rugi Teruk and Teladan in Malaysian Law

In the realm of civil litigation in Malaysia, plaintiffs often seek various forms of damages to address wrongs suffered, such as in torts or breaches of contract. A common question arises: what is ganti rugi teruk dan teladan, and what are the principles governing such damages? These terms refer to aggravated damages (ganti rugi teruk) and exemplary damages (ganti rugi teladan), which go beyond standard compensation. While general damages compensate for loss, these special categories address heightened harm or punish egregious conduct. This post explores their definitions, distinctions, and judicial principles, drawing from key case law and sources. Note that this is general information and not specific legal advice—consult a qualified lawyer for your situation.

Definitions and Terminology

  • Ganti Rugi Teladan (Exemplary or Punitive Damages): These are awarded not mainly to compensate the plaintiff but to punish the defendant's outrageous conduct and deter future wrongdoing. Malaysian courts prefer exemplary damages, aligning with common usage. They are synonymous with punitive damages, aiming to sanction deliberate or malicious acts

    PUREGEN TECHNOLOGY SDN BHD vs MILLENNIUM ECO TECHNO SDN BHD - 2025 MarsdenLR 2184

    YAP TECK CHOW & ANOR vs YAP TECK LOKE & ORS - 2025 MarsdenLR 1145

    .
  • Ganti Rugi Teruk (Aggravated Damages): These compensate for aggravated harm to the plaintiff, often due to the defendant's malicious or humiliating conduct. Unlike exemplary damages, they focus on enhancing compensation for the plaintiff's suffering rather than pure punishment. Courts recognize them as separate

    NG KIM CHAY LWN. WONG TECK MING

    . For instance, Ganti Rugi Teruk (Aggravated Damages) 38 Undang-undang adalah mantap bahawa ganti rugi teruk adalah berasingan dan berbe...

    NG KIM CHAY LWN. WONG TECK MING

    .

Plaintiffs frequently claim both, sometimes quantifying them equally, e.g., RM5,000,000 for teladan and RM5,000,000 for teruk, or alternatively leaving assessment to the court

CASACORAZON SDN BHD & SATU LAGI LWN. KU MUHAMMAD HILMIE KU DIN

.

Principles Governing Exemplary (Teladan) Damages

The Federal Court in Sambaga Valli KR Ponnusamy v. Datuk Bandar Kuala Lumpur & Ors2018 set key benchmarks. Exemplary damages may be awarded where the defendant acts with:

  • Vindictiveness or Malice: Malicious intent is essential

    PUREGEN TECHNOLOGY SDN BHD vs MILLENNIUM ECO TECHNO SDN BHD - 2025 MarsdenLR 2184

    .
  • Contumelious Disregard for Rights: Flagrant, serious misconduct disrespecting the plaintiff's rights

    PUREGEN TECHNOLOGY SDN BHD vs MILLENNIUM ECO TECHNO SDN BHD - 2025 MarsdenLR 2184

    .

Nature of Conduct

The behavior must exceed negligence—it requires deliberate, malicious, or contumelious acts. Good faith actions, like enforcing contractual rights, do not qualify

PUREGEN TECHNOLOGY SDN BHD vs MILLENNIUM ECO TECHNO SDN BHD - 2025 MarsdenLR 2184

.

Judicial Discretion

Courts exercise discretion judiciously, demanding clear evidence of malice. Exemplary and punitive terms are interchangeable in Malaysia, both for punishment and deterrence

YAP TECK CHOW & ANOR vs YAP TECK LOKE & ORS - 2025 MarsdenLR 1145

YAP TECK CHOW & ANOR vs YAP TECK LOKE & ORS - 2025 MarsdenLR 2870

BIG MAN MANAGEMENT SDN BHD vs TENAGA NASIONAL BERHAD - 2025 MarsdenLR 1561

YAP TECK CHOW & ANOR vs YAP TECK LOKE & ORS - 2025 MarsdenLR 625

.

Quantification

These damages are non-quantifiable, reflecting misconduct severity rather than precise loss. The Court of Appeal in Johandra Realty Sdn Bhd (2020, 2021) confirmed this

YAP TECK CHOW & ANOR vs YAP TECK LOKE & ORS - 2025 MarsdenLR 1145

BIG MAN MANAGEMENT SDN BHD vs TENAGA NASIONAL BERHAD - 2025 MarsdenLR 1561

YAP TECK CHOW & ANOR vs YAP TECK LOKE & ORS - 2025 MarsdenLR 625

. Claims for both types, if liquidated without justification, risk excessive default judgments

YAP TECK CHOW & ANOR vs YAP TECK LOKE & ORS - 2025 MarsdenLR 1145

.

Aggravated (Teruk) Damages: Distinct Considerations

Aggravated damages enhance general damages for intensified injury, such as reputational harm or humiliation. In one case, a plaintiff claimed RM14,046 in special damages, general damages, teruk, and teladan, but the court awarded only RM3,046 special and RM7,000 general, rejecting teruk and teladan for lack of supporting facts

NG KIM CHAY LWN. WONG TECK MING

. Tuntutan bagi ganti rugi teruk dan teladan ditolak berdasarkan ketiadaan fakta untuk menyokong permohonan tersebut

NG KIM CHAY LWN. WONG TECK MING

.

In defamation, courts assess reputational impact strictly. A plaintiff organization aiding Syrian victims won RM50,000 for defamatory statements, but teladan claims failed without linkage to reputation harm

SITI SAKINAH MEOR OMAR BAKI LWN. ZAMIHAN MAT ZIN & SATU LAGI

.

Case Examples and Judicial Approach

  • In Sambaga Valli, the court clarified no exemplary damages for good faith actions

    PUREGEN TECHNOLOGY SDN BHD vs MILLENNIUM ECO TECHNO SDN BHD - 2025 MarsdenLR 2184

    .
  • Multiple claims are common but scrutinized: Ganti rugi teladan sebanyak RM5,000,000.00. C. Ganti rugi teruk sebanyak RM5,000,000.00

    CASACORAZON SDN BHD & SATU LAGI LWN. KU MUHAMMAD HILMIE KU DIN

    .
  • Defamation cases emphasize evidence: Small general damages awarded, but teruk/teladan rejected without proof

    SITI SAKINAH MEOR OMAR BAKI LWN. ZAMIHAN MAT ZIN & SATU LAGI

    .

Courts take judicial notice of injuries and award reasonably, as in personal injury claims where special damages require strict proof

NG KIM CHAY LWN. WONG TECK MING

.

Scholarly Perspectives

  • Nicholas McBride favors punitive damages for punishing deliberate wrongs

    BIG MAN MANAGEMENT SDN BHD vs TENAGA NASIONAL BERHAD - 2025 MarsdenLR 1561

    .
  • Lauree Coci notes exemplary damages' acceptance in Australia, interchangeable with punitive in Malaysia for deterrence

    PUREGEN TECHNOLOGY SDN BHD vs MILLENNIUM ECO TECHNO SDN BHD - 2025 MarsdenLR 2184

    .

Limitations and Cautions

Awards are not automatic—clear evidence of malice or serious misconduct is required. Courts avoid penalizing legitimate disputes or good faith, preventing excessive sums that resemble penalties

PUREGEN TECHNOLOGY SDN BHD vs MILLENNIUM ECO TECHNO SDN BHD - 2025 MarsdenLR 2184

. In representative suits or customs cases, principles like certainty and proof apply analogously, but these damages demand higher thresholds 2019 7 Supreme 265.

Key Takeaways

| Type | Purpose | Key Requirement ||------|---------|-----------------|| Ganti Rugi Teruk | Enhance compensation for aggravated harm | Evidence of humiliating/malicious impact on plaintiff

NG KIM CHAY LWN. WONG TECK MING

|| Ganti Rugi Teladan | Punish and deter defendant | Vindictiveness, malice, or contumelious disregard

PUREGEN TECHNOLOGY SDN BHD vs MILLENNIUM ECO TECHNO SDN BHD - 2025 MarsdenLR 2184

|
  • Terms exemplary/punitive are interchangeable

    YAP TECK CHOW & ANOR vs YAP TECK LOKE & ORS - 2025 MarsdenLR 1145

    .
  • Discretionary, non-quantifiable awards based on misconduct gravity

    BIG MAN MANAGEMENT SDN BHD vs TENAGA NASIONAL BERHAD - 2025 MarsdenLR 1561

    .
  • Plaintiffs must plead and prove with facts; unsupported claims fail

    NG KIM CHAY LWN. WONG TECK MING

    .

Conclusion

Ganti rugi teruk and teladan serve vital roles in Malaysian law: compensating deeper wounds and punishing egregious acts to maintain justice. Courts apply them cautiously, guided by precedents like Sambaga Valli, ensuring fairness. Whether in tort, defamation, or contracts, understanding these principles can shape litigation strategies. For tailored advice, seek professional legal counsel.

Sources Cited:

PUREGEN TECHNOLOGY SDN BHD vs MILLENNIUM ECO TECHNO SDN BHD - 2025 MarsdenLR 2184

YAP TECK CHOW & ANOR vs YAP TECK LOKE & ORS - 2025 MarsdenLR 1145

YAP TECK CHOW & ANOR vs YAP TECK LOKE & ORS - 2025 MarsdenLR 2870

BIG MAN MANAGEMENT SDN BHD vs TENAGA NASIONAL BERHAD - 2025 MarsdenLR 1561

YAP TECK CHOW & ANOR vs YAP TECK LOKE & ORS - 2025 MarsdenLR 625

CASACORAZON SDN BHD & SATU LAGI LWN. KU MUHAMMAD HILMIE KU DIN

NG KIM CHAY LWN. WONG TECK MING

SITI SAKINAH MEOR OMAR BAKI LWN. ZAMIHAN MAT ZIN & SATU LAGI

#GantiRugiTeruk, #GantiRugiTeladan, #MalaysianLaw
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