Conceptualising and Contextualising Malaysian Bilingual Law

Abstract

Malaysia is among a dozen or so common law-based jurisdictions that use a language other than English. Common law, much the largest legal system but cohabiting with Syariah and customary law, functions in two languages. In more populous West Malaysia the official legal medium is the national language, Malay (or Bahasa Melayu, sometimes also referred to as Bahasa Malaysia). English is also admissible in ‘the interests of justice’. In East Malaysia English remains the official medium, but the courts are increasingly open to the use of Malay.