5 Weird Laws In Malaysia

1. Naming babies after fruits, colours or even Japanese cars : According to Section 16 of the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1957, the Registrar has the authority to object to a name if it does not comply with the National Registration Department’s set guidelines. Restrictions are placed on names that include colours, animals, fruits, vegetables, natural elements, numbers, food and even adjectives.

2. Jaywalking : Jaywalking is banned in Malaysia although it has essentially become a part of our lives to conjure up the power of the hand and stop massive flows of traffic mid-stream. However, according to the law, crossing a street without the help of a zebra crossing or a pedestrian bridge is in fact illegal. Failure to uphold this law as stated in Section 45 of the Road Transport Act 1999 could lead to a minimum fine of RM30 and a maximum fine that reaches a mountainous RM500. Interestingly, jaywalking is also banned in many other countries – the US, Canada, Singapore, Spain, Poland, Slovenia and Australia.

3. Throwing a ring into a river : From throwing someone else’s ring into a river to melting an ice-house, these strange scenarios are considered acts of mischief in Malaysian law. Word for word, – if “A introduces water into an ice-house belonging to Z, and thus causes the ice to melt, intending wrongful loss to Z. A has committed mischief.” Found under Acts of Mischief in Penal Code 425, ring throwers and ice melters will be fined if found that their mischievous acts were fuelled on mal intent.

4. Acts of public indecency : Couples should think twice this Valentine’s Day before displaying excessive acts of public affection. Under Section 294(a) of the Penal Code, indecently acting and annoying others in public places like parks, streets and even theatres could have you fined or imprisoned for three months. Put into action back in 2006, a couple was charged and found guilty in court after acting “disorderly” in a public park. Their crime? They were passionately kissing and hugging under a tree.

5. RM100 fine when your dog chases a stranger : You’re in a public park (gosh what is up with parks) and Fluffy, your dog suddenly runs loose from her leash and decides to playfully chase a stranger – well unfortunately both you and Fluffy have now committed a crime. According to Act 336, “Dogs running at persons” is an actual law where dog owners will be held accountable and fined RM100 if their dog is caught chasing a stranger.

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