Legal Review On Hibah (Inter Vivos Gift) In Malaysia: Problems And Solutions

Abstract

Frozen or unclaimed estate is disconcerted issue until today. Based on 2016’s statistic, there are a total of RM60 billion worth of unclaimed estates in Malaysia. Despite of suggestion by previous researchers to use Hibah ( inter vivos gift ) as a solution to resolve the pertaining issue, the number of unclaimed estate still increase every year. Thus, the purposes of this study are to bring to the light problems posed in implementing Hibah and proposed solutions in order to resolve or at least decrease the number of unclaimed estate in Malaysia. In this paper, Islamic ruling and Malaysian legal provisions on Hibah were highlighted and critically discussed. The discussion identifies that, since the number of Muslims using Hibah as a method to distribute assets is still low in Malaysia, it is strongly argued and suggested that, there is a need for a clear law on Hibah be enacted in Malaysia to settle this matter. Besides, cooperative action to disseminate knowledge and create awareness inclusive of government and private agencies involved should also be implemented immediately.

Keywords: Islamic law inheritanceHibahInter Vivos Giftadministration of estateestate planning

Introduction

According to the Islamic law of inheritance, methods to distribute Muslim’s property can be categorized into three parts i.e. Wasiyyah: will, Faraidh: inheritance of property which is based on determined portion as stipulated in Al-Quran i.e. Surah An-Nisa’:11 and Hibah: property given during the lifetime of the donor to the donee. For the purpose of discussion, this paper attempted to emphasizes on Hibah.

2. Problem Statement

Hibah or legally known as “inter vivos gift” has been highlighted and suggested by researchers to be one of the best solution for estate planning due to the increasing number of unclaimed estate in Malaysia. According to Muda (2008), Hibah is important tool and should be implemented in order to avoid disputation over inheritance that can lead to the issue of frozen estates. Based on 2016’s statistic, there are a total of RM60 billion worth of unclaimed estates in Malaysia (Shafie, Wan Yusoff & AlEdrus, 2016). In 2009, the value of the frozen estates was RM42bil and out of this figure, RM1.8bil was still stuck in Unclaimed Monies Registry Board. Statistics show that in 2011, an estimated of RM42bil of the frozen estates supposed to be distributed to 500,000 beneficiaries have not reached them (Murali, 2013).

The suggestion to use Hibah as a tool of estate planning in order to resolve or reduce the unclaimed estates issue seems not avail since the number of frozen estate keep increasing, and based on the number of Hibah distribution among Malaysian Muslims is still low. According to a study conducted by Salleh, Abu Hasan, & Sabtu (2007) in Lembah Klang, Malaysia, from 300 respondents, only 31.7% receive Hibah and majority of respondents (68%) never used Hibah to distribute their estate.

Research Question

• What are the problems in implementing Hibah as a tool of estate planning?

• Is there any solution in implementing Hibah as a tool of estate planning?

Purpose of the Study

This paper attempted to identify the problems and provides suggestions in implementing Hibah as a tool of estate planning in order to resolve or reduce the unclaimed estates issue in Malaysia.

Research Methodology

The methodology of this research is by way of literature review. Much has been written on the topic of Hibah as one of the solutions to frozen estate. However, despite of the suggestion, the issue of frozen estate still unsettle. Therefore, this paper will review literature on Hibah and identify the problems. This research will analyze the relevant provisions of law related to the Hibah in Malaysia. This study used primary data such as statutes, decided cases and articles.

Islamic Ruling of Hibah

Legality of Hibah in Malaysia

Legality of Hibah in Malaysia can be found under the Federal Constitution which provides:

“Item 1 under List II of the 9th Schedule: Except regarding the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya, the Islamic law and the self and family laws of the Muslims, including Islamic law with regards to inheriting intestate or non-intestate properties, engagement, marriage, divorce, dowry, maintenance, adoption, status of children, child custody, gift , division of property and non-charitable trusts..”

It is clear that Hibah is fall under state matters and thus within Syariah Court’s jurisdiction. In addition, the Administration of Islamic Law (Federal Territories) Act 1993, states:

“Section 46 (2) (b) (v) and (vi): Syariah High Court shall, in its civil jurisdiction, listen to anddetermine all actions and proceedings in which all parties are Muslims and are related to a will or gift (alang) during marad-al-maut of a Muslim deceased person; a gift during the lifetime, or settlements made without adequate compensation with money or money’s worth, by a Muslim;”

Based on the provisions, it is found and argued that:

• The word Hibah is unknown. The word “gift” or “alang” is the word uses which refers to

• Hibah. Malacca, Selangor, Johor, Perak, Penang, Terengganu, Kedah, Sarawak and Sabah also use the same word. The word “grant” uses by Pahang and Perlis. While “alang hayat” uses by Kelantan. Only Negeri Sembilan uses the word “Hibah” (Muda, 2008).

• The provisions on Hibah are too brief. People might question on what is the definition of Hibah, essential elements of Hibah, guideline and procedure to do Hibah.

• Hibah can be done not only during the lifetime of donors, but during donors’ marad al-mawt too. Eventhough Islamic law permits Hibah during marad al-mawt, however it subjects to a number of rulings which should be followed in order for the Hibah to be valid. The rulings are not mention in the provisions, thus people might execute invalid Hibah unconsciously.

Findings : Problems in implementing Hibah in Malaysia

Recommendations and solutions

Since the provisions on Hibah are too brief, it is suggested that:

• There is a need for specific law for Hibah to be enacted (Enactment since Hibah falls under state matters), or;

• Make a standardization among states regarding rules of Hibah and placed under one Act for Hibah, or compile in one Act with other methods of Islamic inheritance (e.g Islamic Inheritance Act), or;

• If no specific law enacted for Hibah, at least there is a need for the respective states to:

  • Replace the word “gift”, “grant”, “alang” and “alang hayat” in the provisions mentioned in the previous part before to the word “Hibah”. There should be standardization in terms of word uses in order to avoid confusion among public, and;

  • Produced one module on Hibah as a guideline for all parties involved.

In terms of knowledge and awareness, it is suggested that;

• Islamic Religious department in every state may conduct workshop/courses on Hibah and other methods of Islamic inheritance in mosque or surau, and/or;

• Islamic Religious department in every state may include Hibah and other methods of Islamic inheritance in their script for Friday sermons, and/or;

• Law on Islamic inheritance should be included in high school subject (Pendidikan Islam or Pendidikan Syariah Islamiah). Students should learn about methods of distribution of Muslims asset especially Faraidh, then accompanied with other methods of distribution including Hibah. The importance of learn Faraidh was mentioned in the hadith: “Learn Faraidh and teach them to people for it half of know knowledge and it will be forgotten and the first to be taken up from my community.” (Zuleika & Putu, 2014) and/or;

• Government (JAKIM) and private agencies like As-Salihin Trustee Bhd. should cooperatively promote and create awareness on Hibah among public through media. According Kushwaha (2015), media plays a significant role in forming the positive attitudes of the public.

Conclusions

The increasing number of unclaimed inheritance properties in Malaysia is a serious issue. It is strongly agreed that Hibah is one of solution that might help to resolve or at least decrease the number of the frozen assets. In order for Hibah to be successfully implemented, problems in executing Hibah should be addressed immediately. Based on the discussion, it is clear that law on Hibah needs improvement. Clear law is needed for Hibah to avoid confusion among parties involved and to be implemented successfully. Besides, knowledge about Hibah should be disseminated and awareness need to be created among public. Urgent action should be done cooperatively among government and private agencies in order to ensure Hibah as a tool of estate planning to settle frozen estate not remain only as a suggestion.

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