Sarawak Frozen Account: Notice to Filing
What to do in order when your Sarawak account is frozen, and who to ask first.
Sources checked 2026-09-17 to 2026-10-05
What to do, in order, when your Sarawak account is frozen
A freeze is easier to handle one step at a time. The law behind it is federal, so it works the same way in Sarawak as in the rest of Malaysia.
What differs is distance. The bank, the police office and the court may each be in a different town. The steps below start with the notice and end with choosing a lawyer.
Leave the frozen money where it is
Do not move the balance to a relative or to a second account of your own. A transfer after a freeze can be read as an attempt to hide money, even when your reason is innocent.
Find out who ordered the freeze
An enforcement agency can freeze an account under AMLA section 44, and under section 50(1) the Public Prosecutor may order one [f1]. A police officer of Sergeant rank or above can freeze an account under CPC section 116D without a court order [f4].
Ask the bank in writing for the freeze reference and the authority that issued it. That answer tells you where your first request should go.
Note which police office holds the file
If police are involved, write down the office, the officer’s name and any report number. In Sarawak the state headquarters (IPK) is in Kuching, and district offices include Sibu, Miri, Bintulu and Limbang [f7].
The commercial crime department (JSJK) is a national department [f8]. Your file may sit with an office far from your home, so ask early where to send documents.
Ask for money for everyday expenses
If the freeze stops you paying for essentials, AMLA section 44A lets you apply for funds to be released for reasonable living or business expenses [f3]. You apply in writing to the agency that froze the account.
Release is not automatic. Keep the time limits in mind throughout [f2]. To see what else you can ask for, read account holder rights.
Check Semak Mule and report a scam
Check your account and phone number on PDRM’s Semak Mule portal [f5]. A flag points to a possible mule allegation, not just a freeze. If so, read mule account lawyer for Sarawak.
If you lost money to a scam, report it to the National Scam Response Centre on 997 [f6]. It can trigger urgent freezes on the accounts that received the money [f6].
Choose a lawyer who can act where your case is
Court steps may be in Kuching, Sibu, Miri, Sri Aman, Bintulu or Limbang, where the High Courts sit [f9]. Ask any lawyer whether they appear in the Sarawak courts and in which town.
If cost is a worry, the Legal Aid Department (JBG) lists offices for Sarawak, Sibu and Miri [f10]. For help choosing, see finding legal help.
Sources
- https://www.lawnet.com.my/amla-2001
- https://semakmule.rmp.gov.my/
- https://www.nsrc.gov.my/
- https://www.rmp.gov.my/direktori/direktori-pdrm/sarawak
- https://www.kehakiman.gov.my/en/about-us/court/high-court/location-high-court-malaysia
- https://www.jbg.gov.my/index.php/ms-my/info-jbg/senarai-pengarah-cawangan
Need a Lawyer for Your Frozen Account Case?
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Local courts and legal aid: Sarawak
The freeze and mule-account laws are federal and apply the same nationwide. Only the courts, the police commercial-crime unit and the legal-aid office that handle a case are local.
- High Court
- High Court in Sabah and Sarawak
- Court
- Kompleks Mahkamah Kuching (Kuching Courts Complex). Jalan Gersik, Petra Jaya, 93050 Kuching, Sarawak.
- Commercial crime unit
- Sarawak police contingent commercial crime unit (JSJK)
- Legal aid
- Legal Aid Department (JBG) Sarawak, Kuching
Sources: sarawak.kehakiman.gov.my, jbg.gov.my
Where do I start with a frozen account in Sarawak?
Leave the money where it is and find out who froze it. Moving the balance can look like hiding it. Ask the bank in writing for the freeze reference and the authority that issued it.
Who could have frozen my account?
The police office is in another Sarawak town. Do I have to go there?
You may be asked to attend the office handling the file, which may be one of the district offices [f7]. Ask which office, who the officer is and the date. Send your questions by phone or WhatsApp to a lawyer first, so you know what to bring.
Can money be released for living costs?
You can apply. Under AMLA section 44A you can ask for funds to be released for reasonable living or business expenses [f3]. You apply in writing to the agency that froze the account, and a more senior officer decides. Proof of rent, bills and dependants makes the request clearer.
How long can the freeze last?
Related pages
If your situation is a little different, these pages cover the closest topics.
Need a Lawyer for Your Frozen Account Case?
Request Lawyer ContactFor people seeking legal representation. For general information, use our guides and tools.
Independent information resource, not a law firm. We do not provide legal advice. Where appropriate and with your consent, we can connect you with an independent lawyer. Availability and acceptance of a case are not guaranteed. How referral works