There are two different governing legislations in Malaysia for
the adoption of children, which are Adoption Act 1952
("Adoption Act") and Registration of Adoptions Act 1952
("Registration of Adoptions Act").
The Adoption Act is applicable to non-Muslims only, whilst the
Registration of Adoptions Act is applicable to both Muslims and
non-Muslims.
However, for the purpose of this article, we will only deal with
the Adoption Act.
Effect of an adoption order
Under Section 9 of the Adoption Act, following the issuance of
an adoption order, all rights, duties, obligations, and liabilities
of the parents or guardians of the adopted child, with regard to
the adopted child's future custody, maintenance, and
education—including the right to appoint a guardian or to
consent to or give notice of dissent to marriage—will be
extinguished.
