Talk to a Lawyer in Chinese or English

Can I talk to a lawyer in Chinese?

Yes. If explaining this in English feels hard, you do not have to. You can talk it through in Mandarin, Cantonese or English, whichever lets you describe what happened most clearly.

This is the same whether your account was just frozen, the police contacted you, a family member is involved, or you simply have questions.

What you can ask about

You are not limited to one charge or one kind of case. You can ask about a frozen account, a bank query you do not understand, a call from JSJK or CCID, or a relative’s account.

The offences usually involved are Penal Code sections 424A, 424B and 424C. Each can lead to a fine or jail. ^[f3]

Some matters stop at a frozen account or one police query. A first conversation helps you see which stage you are at.

Can police freeze an account without a court order?

A police officer of Sergeant rank or above can freeze an account and block transactions at once under CPC section 116D, with no court order. ^[f4] That is why some people only find out when their card stops working.

A freeze does not last forever. Under AMLA, an agency freeze under section 44 ends after 90 days if no one is charged. ^[f7] A seizure order lapses after 18 months if no one is charged. ^[f5] A police freeze under section 116D also lapses after 18 months without a prosecution.

If you were the one who was scammed

Some readers did not move money for anyone. They were scammed, and their account was frozen while police traced where the money went.

The National Scam Response Centre hotline, 997, is for victims. It lets you report fast so that banks can act quickly to trace and freeze the money. ^[f6]

If this is you, tell the lawyer clearly that you are the victim, not a suspect. The advice then starts from the right place.

Is what I tell the lawyer kept private?

Mostly. Under Evidence Act section 126, a lawyer cannot disclose what a client tells them without the client’s express consent. ^[f1] There are exceptions, such as communications made to further an illegal purpose.

Our confidential consultation guide explains more if you want to read it before you write.

Can my family join the conversation?

Some readers are helping a parent, child or sibling, or would feel better with a relative there. A family member can join, and the lawyer can explain things in Mandarin so everyone hears the same facts.

If you are arrested, Article 5(3) of the Federal Constitution says you shall be allowed to consult a lawyer of your choice. ^[f2]

What happens after you send a message

Write a few lines in the language you are most comfortable with. Say roughly what happened and whether your account is frozen. It does not need to be complete or neat.

Where appropriate, we can help connect you with an independent lawyer, who can tell you where you stand and what to do next. If a lawyer acts for you, they can deal with the bank or the police for you.

If your case is about a mule account charge, our mule account consultation page covers that in more detail.

Sources

1. Attorney General’s Chambers of Malaysia, Laws of Malaysia (lom.agc.gov.my), Evidence Act 1950
2. Federal Constitution of Malaysia, Article 5(3)
3. Low & Partners, “Keldai Accounts: When Helping a Friend Becomes a Criminal Offence” (2024)
4. Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Act 2024, Section 116D
5. Raj, Ong & Yudistra, “Unveiling the Mystery: When Your Bank Account Gets Frozen by the Law” (2024)
6. Bank Negara Malaysia, National Scam Response Centre (bnm.gov.my/nsrc)