The Legal Implications of Covid-19 in Malaysia: Selected Issues

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic is making the world apparent by its devastating character. The pandemic has affected people physically and mentally; the court institutions and the business world are not an exception. The pandemic has undoubtedly impacted business operations worldwide, particularly in countries with a more critical scale of contagion. To help flatten the curve of infection, Malaysia has imposed an aggressive movement control order (MCO) nationwide, effective from March 18, 2020. This paper provides prospective readers on the impact of COVID-19 on the court institutions and contractual obligations in Malaysia. With the enforcement of the Temporary Measures for Reducing the Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Act 2020, also known as the COVID-19 Act, relevant provision in several statutes have been modified for temporary measures to reduce the impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Malaysia. This paper uses doctrinal legal research to study the impact of COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia, mainly based on library research, whereby a qualitative analysis is adopted to assess improvements of the law in Malaysia concerning court institutions and contractual obligations amid COVID-19 crisis. This paper aims to provide information on the adaptation of court institutions and the law governing contractual obligations in Malaysia amid the global pandemic. This paper also aims to provide an overview of the measures taken by the Malaysian Government in response to COVID-19. The authors would like to acknowledge the efforts and dedication of all front liners during this COVID-19 crisis. To all those who have experienced difficulties during the pandemic, always remember you are not alone..