Foreign Worker Frozen Account: Simple Steps

What happened to your account?

Your bank account has been frozen. You cannot take out money, send money or use your debit card. The money in the account is still there. Nobody has taken it.

The bank froze your account because the police or a government body told it to, or because of its own checks. ^[f2] This can happen to anyone, not only foreign workers. The authorities want to check some transactions that went through your account.

A frozen account is not a finding that you did something wrong. It means there is a question about a transaction, and the authorities want to check it.

You have rights in Malaysia

The law protects you even if you are not Malaysian. You can have a lawyer. ^[f1] You can ask why your account was frozen. You can ask for a translator if you do not speak Malay or English.

These rights come from the Malaysian Constitution. They apply to every person in Malaysia, including foreign workers on any type of permit.

Nobody can take these rights away. If someone says you have no rights because you are not Malaysian, that is not true.

What to do today, step by step

Do these steps one at a time.

Step 1: Go to your bank. Visit the branch where you opened your account. Ask them why your account is frozen.

Ask for a letter or paper that shows the freeze. Keep it safe.

Step 2: Do not sign anything you cannot read. If anyone gives you a paper to sign, ask for a translation first. ^[f3] Do not sign a paper until you understand it.

Step 3: Tell your employer. Tell your boss your account is frozen so they can pay your salary another way. ^[f4] Your boss must still pay you for your work.

Step 4: Call your embassy. Your embassy in Kuala Lumpur can help you find a lawyer and contact your family. They cannot change Malaysian law, but they can support you.

Step 5: Find a lawyer. You can ask a Bar Council Legal Aid Centre or an NGO about low-cost or free legal help. ^[f5] The Legal Aid Department helps Malaysian citizens only. A lawyer can find out why your account was frozen and tell you what to do next.

Things you must not do

Some things will make your problem worse. Do not do them.

Do not run away. If you disappear, the police will look for you, and your problem gets much worse. Stay at your address and keep going to work.

Do not delete anything from your phone. Messages, bank alerts and screenshots can help show what happened. Keep everything.

Do not give your bank card or PIN to anyone. If someone asks for your card, say no. If someone already used your account without asking you, tell your lawyer.

Do not sign papers you cannot read. This applies at the police station, at the bank and everywhere else. ^[f3] Always ask for a translator first.

Your employer must still pay you

The law says your employer must pay you for work you have already done. ^[f4] A frozen bank account does not change this. Your employer cannot keep your salary because of the freeze.

Ask your employer to pay you another way. They can pay by cheque. They can pay into another account if you have one. They can pay cash and give you a proper receipt.

An employer should not dismiss you only because your account is frozen. If you are threatened with dismissal, get advice from a legal aid centre or Tenaganita. You must be paid for work you have already done. ^[f4]

How to get a translator

When the police call you for questioning, you can ask for a translator. ^[f3] Your statement must be taken down and read back to you in a language you understand.

Before you answer any question, say: “I need a translator.” If the police station does not have one, ask them to arrange one before the questioning goes on.

Courts also use interpreters, so tell the court if you need one.

Free legal help for foreign workers

Money should not stop you from asking for advice. These places may help foreign workers at low cost or for free, and each decides who it can help.

Legal Aid Department (Jabatan Bantuan Guaman). This government service may help Malaysian citizens who qualify. ^[f5] Non-citizens can ask a Bar Council Legal Aid Centre instead.

Tenaganita. This NGO helps foreign workers with legal problems. Ask what help it can give you. Contact: Tenaganita contact page.

Bar Council Legal Aid Centre. The lawyers’ association runs legal aid centres that non-citizens can ask for help. Ask what help it can give you. Find the nearest centre: Bar Council Legal Aid Centres directory.

If you are not a Malaysian citizen. If you are not a Malaysian citizen, the Legal Aid Department is not your route. Your next step is to contact Tenaganita or your nearest Bar Council Legal Aid Centre, say you are a foreign worker with a frozen account, and ask whether they can help you.

Our guide to finding legal help has more about these services. Our first steps guide shows what to do right away.

Sources

1. Federal Constitution of Malaysia, Article 5 (right to legal representation for all persons)
2. Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLA)
3. Criminal Procedure Code, Section 112 (statement read back in your language)
4. Employment Act 1955 (wages and termination protections for all workers)
5. Legal Aid Department (Jabatan Bantuan Guaman), Services (jbg.gov.my)