The growing global demand for new cars has resulted in a rise in end-of-life vehicles (ELV), both with usable and non-usable parts. Malaysia faces a particularly pressing issue of abandoned vehicles (AVs), as the country currently lacks comprehensive legislation for managing ELV. On the other hand, countries such as the US, Japan, Belgium, Korea, and China have well-established ELV management policies. In light of this, a pilot study assessed the public’s perception and attitudes towards ELV issues and regulations in Malaysia. The study gathered participants’ views on surrender, deregistration, disposal costs, incentives, recycling, and ELV regulations. The questionnaire used in the study was based on the findings from a previous report. The data were analysed using SPSS version 27, based on 40 interviews with diverse participants. The results of the study revealed three primary themes: “AV and its ELV”, “ELV disposal procedures”, and “ELV regulation and conflict resolution”, with 14 sub-themes. The study adopts a regulatory approach towards ELV and AVs and highlights the importance of an effective voluntary surrender system in Malaysia as a step towards comprehensive ELV regulation. The findings of this pilot study provide valuable insights into the Malaysian public’s views on ELV and can inform the development of more effective and comprehensive ELV legislation.

Cross-border marriages have been found to be associated with domestic violence due to the migration experiences of the couples concerned and the stress experienced before, during, and after migration, despite local and international legislation on domestic violence. A systematic review using the PRISMA Statement was conducted to examine the relationship between domestic violence and cross-border marriages among cross-border wives from Asian countries. Six databases—Taylor & Francis Online, Wiley Online, Scopus, Web of Science, Sage Journals, and Springer Online library, were used in the research which found 179 articles for eligibility and 58 articles were finally used in the review. To be included, studies must have addressed domestic violence and cross-border marriage among Asians, report qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods, addressed the RQs, been published in polished English between 2010 and 2020 and published in a reputable journal with high impact factor. The systematic review found that immigration status, citizenship, culture, language barrier, diversity/intersectionality, age, and economic dependence are the risk factors for domestic violence, which leads effects such as divorce or separation, racism, loneliness, loss of identity & inheritance, stigma, abandonment, and discrimination. Yet these cross-border wives resorted to NGOs, social & religious groups, and traditional beliefs as coping strategies. The review suggests that legislations on domestic violence should be amended to include a definition of the rights of immigrant women, and the plight of cross-border wives, which should be protected. It is also imperative to propose favorable laws and policies regarding immigration status and citizenship for these cross-border couples.

This paper aims to debate moral and legal dilemma embedded with plea bargaining (PB) and raises a question whether the approach of “PB” is a viable tool to tackle financial crimes and to what extent it contributes in recovery of stolen money. This paper critically examines the concept with reference to relevant laws of the USA, the UK, Pakistan and Nigeria. This study used legal scholarship, jurisprudence and other open source data to analyze issues in the application of PB as a viable tool in asset recovery and financial crimes. This paper provides that PB has certain moral and legal dilemma in terms of legality and punishment; the concept offers a sense of escape from criminal punishment by simply return of partial stolen money or “settlement” in exchange of discounted punishment even without imprisonment, thus incentivizing an offender. Further, the concept is unregulated, misapplied especially in developing world like Pakistan and Nigeria, where plea bargain laws are mostly manipulated by white-collar individuals. Therefore, this study recommends the amendment of relevant laws pertaining to PB; construction of “plea bargain handbook” to prevent arbitrariness and misapplication and to ensure transparency in its application; legislations like Speedy Trail Act; creation of “Fast Track-Model Courts” and a balancing system between “settlement” and “deterrence.” Perspectives on PB are brought to bear from financial crime and malpractice and recovery of stolen money.

The concept of dual justice system practiced in Malaysia governs the area of inheritance where there is a notable difference between Muslim and non-Muslim estate administration. While the non-Muslims deal solely with civil court, the Muslims are governed under both civil and Syariah Court. For Muslims, reference to Syariah Court is required for the purpose of obtaining the fara'id certificate, prior to the application to other administrative bodies. Having to deal with multiple bodies tends to lead to a confusion among the Muslims as to which institution should they approach, signifying the extra commitment that they will have to make. The complexity of the process encountered by the beneficiary results in discouragement to proceed the administration which eventually led to delay in estate administration and distribution. The lack of understanding regarding the function of the Syariah Court holds as a key factor to this ongoing issue. This paper adopts the library-based research which focuses on the analysis of written sources including but not being limited to journal articles, statutes, case laws and text books. In its findings, this paper states that there is a need for the government to re-look into the structure of the administrative bodies by making proper amendments in order to simplify the current process of the Muslim estate administration.