Administration of Small Estates in Malaysia: An Analysis of Distribution Mechanisms and Legal Issues
Abstract
The Federal Government is responsible for matters relating to probate and administration of estates, as stipulated in the Federal Constitution. The Estate Distribution Division under the Department of Director General of Lands and Mines (JKPTG), which functions under the Small Estates (Distribution) Act 1955 [Act 98], is responsible for managing the majority of petitions for the distribution of estates in Malaysia. Previous studies often focused on the difficulties involved in resolving complex estate cases, including legal ambiguities, lack of awareness, delays and disputes among beneficiaries. However, issues concerning the processes and distribution mechanisms implemented by estate administration agencies have received insufficient attention. Accordingly, this study analyses the distribution mechanisms generally applied in the administration of the small estates involving the estates of both Muslims and non-Muslims, including issues relating to the use of Islamic estate-planning instruments and customary land. This study adopts a qualitative approach based on doctrinal legal research involving both primary and secondary sources. Interviews were also conducted with two agency representatives from the Estate Distribution Division of JKPTG Putrajaya and Negeri Sembilan Estate Distribution office. The analysis identifies three distribution mechanisms in the administration of small estates: (i) an order for direct distribution or transfer of ownership; (ii) an order appointing an administrator or granting letters of administration; and (iii) an order for sale. The findings indicate that any dispute involving estate planning instruments or matters related to Islamic law must first be referred to and determined by the Syariah Court. Meanwhile, issues concerning customary land must be determined by the relevant authorities in accordance with the laws of the respective states. Once these issues have been resolved, the Estate Distribution Officer may determine the appropriate mechanism for administering and distributing the deceased’s estate.
Keywords: Small Estates (Distribution) Act 1955, distribution mechanisms, small estates administration, faraid, transfer of ownership order, letters of administration
Full text: PDF
References
Akmal Hidayah Halim, Rahmawati Mohd Yusoff, Azhani Arshad, & Nor Azlina Mohd Noor. (2025). Unclaimed estates in West Malaysia: A legal analysis and reform proposals on non-administered estates. IIUM Law Journal, 33(2), 39–68. https://doi.org/10.31436/iiumlj.v33i2.1126
Akta Harta Pusaka Kecil (Pembahagian) 1955 [Akta 98] (Pindaan) 2022 [Akta A1643].
Akta Pembahagian 1958 [Akta 300].
Akta Perbadanan Amanah Raya Berhad 1995 [Akta 532].
Akta Probet dan Pentadbiran 1959 [Akta 97].
Hani Kamariah Mat Abdullah, Suhaimi Ab Rahman, Rasyikah Md. Khalid, & Nurul Aiman Mat Abdullah. (2020). Perkembangan pengurusan dan pentadbiran harta pusaka Islam Malaysia. BITARA International Journal of Civilizational Studies and Human Sciences, 3(1), 42–53. http://www.bitarajournal.com
Hendun Abd Rahman Shah, Adzidah Yaakob, & Suraiya Osman. (2017). Dinamika undang-undang tanah adat di Negeri Sembilan: Kajian perkembangan dan isu undang-undang. Malaysian Journal of Syariah and Law, 5, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.33102/mjsl.vol5no1.45
Jabatan Ketua Pengarah Tanah dan Galian Persekutuan. (2025) Pengurusan pembahagian pusaka kecil. https://www.jkptg.gov.my/index.php/my/korporat/fungsi-jabatan
Jaiya Abu, Fiqiri Hamid, Norhafiza Abdullah, Norhidayah Md. Yunus, & Ainur Zaireen Zainudin. (2022). Cabaran isu tanah pusaka terbiar dan potensi penyelesaian. Sains Humanika, 14(3), 49–55. https://doi.org/10.11113/sh.v14n3.1954
Jasni Sulong. (2016). Pengaruh budaya Melayu dalam gelagat pembahagian harta pusaka di Malaysia. Jurnal Antarabangsa Dunia Melayu, 9(1), 94–114. https://ptsldigital.ukm.my/jspui/handle/123456789/578969
Kamariah Dzafrun Kamarul Baharin. (2025, 8 September). Temu bual bersama Ketua Penolong Pengarah, Bahagian Pengurusan Pusaka, JKPTG Putrajaya (Ibu Pejabat). [Temu Bual].
Md Yazid Ahmad, Mohd Nasran Mohamad, Mohd Zamro Muda, Ezad Azraai Jamsari, Wan Zulkifli Wan Hassan, & Mohd Izhar Ariff Mohd Kashim. (2018). Confronting the problem of managing unclaimed inheritance property of Muslims in Malaysia. International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology, 9(4), 1459–1466. https://doi.org/10.34218/IJCIET.09.4.2018.161
Mohd Azlim Zainury. (2025, Februari). Rebut harta pusaka jangan berpanjangan. Sinar Harian. https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/714986/suara-sinar/analisis-sinar/rebut-harta-pusaka-jangan-berpanjangan
Muhammad Amrullah Drs Nasrul, Nurin Athirah Mohd Alam Shah, Rahmawati Mohd Yusoff, & Muhamad Helmi Md Said. (2023). Small Estates (Distribution) Act 1955: Analysis on the 2022 amendment and its effects on inheritance management. IIUM Law Journal, 31(2), 207–228. https://doi.org/10.31436/iiumlj.v31i2.862
Muhammad Mu’izz Abdullah, & Ahmad Mustapha Mat Ali. (2023). Implikasi pindaan Akta Harta Pusaka Kecil (Pembahagian) 1955 [Akta 98] terhadap pentadbiran harta pusaka di Malaysia. Kanun: Jurnal Undang-undang Malaysia, 35(1), 95–118. https://doi.org/10.37052/kanun.35(1)no5
Nor Haslina Husin. (2025, 22 September). Temu bual bersama Ketua Penolong Pengarah, Pejabat Pembahagian Pusaka, JKPTG Negeri Sembilan.
[Temu Bual].
Nur Fadlin Roslan, & Azlin Alisa Ahmad. (2022). Pentadbiran harta pusaka dan implikasi negatif harta tidak dituntut. Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 7(4), e001453. https://doi.org/10.47405/mjssh.v7i4.1453
Pekeliling Ketua Pengarah Tanah dan Galian Bil. 7/2017 Perintah, Sijil atau Perakuan Faraid Tidak Boleh Digunakan Bagi Tujuan Pendaftaran Turun Milik Harta Pusaka Simati.
Peraturan-peraturan Harta Pusaka Kecil (Pembahagian) 1955 (Pindaan) 2024.
Perlembagaan Persekutuan, Jadual 9, Senarai Negeri.
Perlembagaan Persekutuan, Jadual 9, Senarai Persekutuan.
Rabiah Muhammad Serji. (2017, 15 November). Hibah hartanah: Isu dan konflik dalam perundangan di Malaysia. [Pembentangan Kertas Kerja]. 3rd Muzakarah Fiqh & International Fiqh Conference (3rd MFIFC) 2017. Grand Blue Wave Hotel, Shah Alam, Malaysia.
Rabiah Muhammad Serji, & Rohimi Shapiee. (2018). Isu dan konflik perundangan dalam hibah hartanah di Malaysia. Journal of Muwafaqat, 1(1), 84–101. http://journal.kuis.edu.my/muwafaqat
Raja Noraina Raja Rahim. (2020, September). Kurang ilmu cetus konflik perebutan harta. Harian Metro. https://www.hmetro.com.my/mutakhir/2020/09/618828/kurang-ilmu-cetus-konflik-perebutan-harta
Rang Undang-undang Pindaan Akta Harta Pusaka Kecil (Pembahagian) 1955 [Akta 98] (Pindaan 2021), D.R. 6/2021.
Resali Muda. (2016). Harta pusaka Islam di Malaysia: Antara perundangan dan pentadbiran. Malaysian Journal of Syariah and Law, 4(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.33102/mjsl.vol4no1.13
Rosmiza Ismail. (2020). Keperluan deklarasi hibah dan kekangannya dalam perancangan harta orang Islam. Journal of Contemporary Islamic Law, 5(2), 77–83. https://www.ukm.my/jcil/jcil-2020-52-article-7-2/
Rusnadewi Abdul Rashid, & Noor Inayah Yaakob. (2011). Konflik bidang kuasa mahkamah dalam hibah, wasiat, wakaf dan pusaka selepas pindaan Perkara 121(1A) Perlembagaan Persekutuan. Shariah Law Report, 1, xx-xxxviii.
Siti Fadhilah Ghazali, Naimah Abu Kasim, & Suharne Ismail. (2024). Isu-isu fiqh semasa dalam pengurusan harta pusaka kecil di Malaysia: A contemporary fiqh issues in small estate management in Malaysia. Jamalullail Journal, 3(2), 268–280. https://www.journaljamalullail.syskuipsv2.my/index.php/journal/article/view/121
Wan Nur Aina Mardhiah Wan Rushdan, Mohd Zamro Muda, & Zuliza Mohd Kusrin. (2021). Pembahagian harta pusaka dalam kalangan masyarakat Muslim di Negeri Sembilan: Satu kajian literatur. Journal of Contemporary Islamic Law, 6(2), 55–64. https://www.ukm.my/jcil/jcil-2021-62-article-6-2/
