The late Malaysian minister, Tan Sri Jamaluddin Jarjis, has become entangled in a legal battle

over the administration of his assets following his demise. Jamaluddin's mother, Aminah
Abdullah, has filed a second suit against her two grandchildren, Nur Anis Jamaluddin and
Ikhwan Hafiz Jamaluddin, accusing them of fraud and misconduct in handling the
inheritance. The suit also implicates a law firm, Messrs Wong Lu Peen & Tunku Alina,
lawyer Liza Chan Sow Keng of Liza Chan & Co, and Commissioner for Oaths Tengku
Fariddudin Tengku Sulaiman. Aminah seeks to remove her grandchildren as administrators of
the estate, citing sufficient cause and alleging fraudulent activities. This article examines the
main issues at the center of the dispute and provides an overview of the legal proceedings.
The legal battle surrounding the estate of the late Malaysian minister, Tan Sri Jamaluddin
Jarjis, has taken a new turn as his mother, Aminah Abdullah, files a second suit against her
grandchildren. The suit alleges fraud, misconduct, and breaches of law by the grandchildren,
Nur Anis Jamaluddin and Ikhwan Hafiz Jamaluddin, in the administration of their father's
assets. In addition to the grandchildren, the suit also names a law firm, a lawyer, and a
Commissioner for Oaths as defendants.
Allegations of Fraud and Misconduct: Aminah Abdullah claims that her grandchildren, Nur
Anis and Ikhwan Hafiz, collaborated to engage in fraudulent activities, including fabrication,
fraudulent concealment, and breaches of law. She asserts that they conspired to deprive her of
her rightful inheritance and fair administration of the estate. The suit contends that the
defendants intentionally delayed the distribution of assets, wrongfully attempted to deprive
Aminah of her entitlements, and engaged in misconduct to obtain her renunciation.
Request for Removal of Administrators: Aminah seeks to have both Nur Anis and Ikhwan
Hafiz removed as administrators of Jamaluddin's estate, citing sufficient cause. She argues
that their actions, including fraudulent activities and attempts to withhold her entitlements,
justify their removal from their roles as administrators. Aminah asserts that she should be
appointed as the administrator to ensure proper accounting and distribution of assets in
accordance with the law.
Alleged Collusion and Fabrication: The suit also implicates lawyer Liza Chan Sow Keng of
Liza Chan & Co and Commissioner for Oaths Tengku Fariddudin Tengku Sulaiman. Aminah
accuses them of colluding to unlawfully certify and fabricate a letter of renunciation, which
she claims was initiated by her grandchildren. According to Aminah, she was not fully
informed of the letter's contents and consequences, and the "sijil faraid" (certificate of
inheritance) was obtained fraudulently.
Damages and Exemplary Damages: Aminah demands general damages against the defendants
and exemplary damages specifically against the third to fifth defendants, including the law
firm, lawyer Liza Chan, and Commissioner for Oaths Tengku Fariddudin. The damages
sought are a legal recourse for the alleged fraud, misconduct, and breaches of law that
Aminah claims have caused her harm and financial losses.
Jamaluddin Jarjis, a former member of Parliament for Rompin, held prominent positions as
the second finance minister, minister of science, technology and innovation, and Malaysia's
ambassador to the United States. Known for his close association with former Prime Minister
Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Jamaluddin tragically lost his life in a helicopter crash in April 2015,
along with Najib's principal private secretary, Datuk Azlin Alias.
This recent lawsuit is the second legal action initiated by Aminah Abdullah against her
grandchildren concerning the dispute over Jamaluddin's wealth. In the first suit, filed in
February 2019, Aminah sought a declaration that she was Jamaluddin's lawful mother,
making her a beneficiary of his estate. She claimed an interest in the shares of Rantai
Wawasan Sdn Bhd, Alpine Motion Sdn Bhd, and Ivory Insights Sdn Bhd, with a combined
value of RM1.35 billion. Aminah alleged that Nur Anis and Ikhwan Hafiz failed to include
these shares in the list of assets during the letters of administration process.
The ongoing legal battle over the administration of Tan Sri Jamaluddin Jarjis's assets has
taken a new twist with Aminah Abdullah filing a second suit against her grandchildren, Nur
Anis Jamaluddin and Ikhwan Hafiz Jamaluddin. Aminah's accusations of fraud, misconduct,
and breaches of law against her grandchildren, along with the alleged collusion and
fabrication involving a law firm, lawyer, and Commissioner for Oaths, highlight the
complexity of the dispute. As the legal proceedings unfold, the court will determine the
validity of these allegations and make decisions that will shape the administration and
distribution of Jamaluddin's assets.
Estate planning is a crucial aspect of financial and legal management to ensure the orderly
distribution of assets after a person's demise. By utilizing appropriate estate planning tools,
individuals can mitigate potential disputes and conflicts among beneficiaries and
administrators. In the case of Tan Sri Jamaluddin Jarjis, where a legal battle has arisen over
the administration of his assets, several estate planning tools could have been employed to
avoid such problems. Here are three estate planning tools that could have been utilized in this
scenario:
A Last Will and Testament is a fundamental estate planning document that allows individuals
to express their wishes regarding the distribution of their assets upon their death. By creating
a clear and legally enforceable Will, individuals can effectively designate beneficiaries and
specify the assets each beneficiary is entitled to receive. This tool enables the testator (the
person making the Will) to outline their intentions and minimize the potential for conflicts
and disputes among family members. In the case of Tan Sri Jamaluddin Jarjis, if he had
executed a comprehensive and unambiguous Will, the distribution of his assets would have
been predetermined, reducing the likelihood of disagreements and fraudulent activities. A
well-drafted Will should include provisions such as: Identification of beneficiaries: Clearly
identifying the individuals or entities who will receive the testator's assets. Asset distribution:
Stating how specific assets should be distributed among the beneficiaries. Executor
appointment: Naming a trusted person to administer the estate and ensure the provisions of
the Will are carried out. Contingency planning: Considering alternative beneficiaries or
backup executors in case the primary choices are unable or unwilling to fulfill their roles. To
maximize the effectiveness of a Will, it is advisable to consult with an experienced estate
planning attorney who can assist in drafting a legally sound document that reflects the
testator's wishes and adheres to applicable laws and regulations (Kagan, 2023b).
Trusts are versatile estate planning tools that provide greater control and flexibility over the
distribution of assets, while also allowing for efficient management and protection of those
assets. By establishing a trust, individuals can transfer their assets into the trust and designate
beneficiaries who will receive the assets according to the terms and conditions outlined in the
trust document. In the context of the Jamaluddin Jarjis case, employing trusts could have
offered significant benefits. For example, a revocable living trust would have allowed
Jamaluddin to retain control over his assets during his lifetime while designating a successor
trustee to manage the trust upon his death or incapacity. This would have provided a seamless
transition of asset administration without the need for probate, which often becomes a
contentious and time-consuming process. Furthermore, trusts can include specific provisions
to safeguard the assets from potential fraud or mismanagement. For instance, the trust
document could have required regular reporting and accountability from the trustee, ensuring
transparency in the asset administration process. By utilizing trusts and appointing a reliable
and competent trustee, Jamaluddin could have potentially avoided the alleged fraudulent
activities and misconduct attributed to his grandchildren (Kagan, 2023a).
While not directly related to the distribution of assets, advance healthcare directives are
crucial components of comprehensive estate planning. These documents outline an
individual's preferences regarding medical treatment and healthcare decisions if they become
incapacitated or unable to communicate their wishes. By executing a healthcare power of
attorney and living will, individuals can appoint a trusted person as their healthcare agent to
make medical decisions on their behalf and provide guidance on issues such as life support,
organ donation, and end-of-life care. These documents ensure that the individual's healthcare
preferences are honored and reduce the potential for disputes among family members
regarding medical treatment. In the context of the Jamaluddin Jarjis case, the execution of
advance healthcare directives could have provided clarity and guidance in case of any
medical emergencies or end-of-life decisions. By appointing a trusted healthcare agent and
clearly expressing his wishes, Jamaluddin could have prevented potential conflicts and
uncertainties among family members regarding his medical care (Layton, 2023).
In conclusion, estate planning is crucial to avoid disputes and conflicts among beneficiaries
and administrators of an individual's assets. By utilizing estate planning tools such as a Last
Will and Testament, trusts, and advance healthcare directives, individuals can establish clear
guidelines for asset distribution, protect their assets, and ensure their healthcare wishes are
honored. It is important to consult with experienced professionals, such as estate planning
attorneys, to create comprehensive and legally enforceable documents tailored to specific
circumstances.
Kagan, J. (2023a). What Is a Legal Trust? Common Purposes, Types, and Structures.

Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/trust.asp

Kagan, J. (2023b). Last Will and Testament: Definition, Types, and How to Write One.

Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/l/last-will-and-testament.asp

Layton, J., JD. (2023). Advance healthcare directives. LegalZoom.

https://www.legalzoom.com/articles/advance-healthcare-directives