General Principles of the Malaysian Legal System traces the evolution of Malaysia’s legal framework from as early as the 1500s, long before the Portuguese first governed Malacca. It explains how the customs and traditions practiced by local communities were gradually formalized into customary laws. These customary laws were later shaped by English common law and principles of Equity brought in during British rule, eventually contributing to the development of Malaysian law and Islamic law in the country. The book devotes more than three chapters to a detailed examination of this legal progression.
In addition, the book outlines the parliamentary law-making process and describes the roles of the Executive, Judiciary, and Legal Profession as defined by the Federal Constitution. The historical account presented is based on extensive research from numerous reliable sources, compiled through the joint efforts of the late Mr. Padmanabha Rau (Rau), a Senior Advocate, and Dr. T. Johnson Sampathkumar (Kumar), who holds a Ph.D. in Public Administration.
General Principles of the Malaysian Legal System by Rau & Kumar stands as a highly dependable reference on Malaysia’s legal development and is strongly recommended for law students, researchers, and the general public.
