Act 538 Town Planners Act 1995

Town Planners 1
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LAWS OF MALAYSIA
REPRINT
Act 538
TOWN PLANNERS ACT 1995

Incorporating all amendments up to 1 January 2006
PUBLISHED BY
THE COMMISSIONER OF LAW REVISION, MALAYSIA
UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE REVISION OF LAWS ACT 1968
IN COLLABORATION WITH
PERCETAKAN NASIONAL MALAYSIA BHD
2006
Adam Haida & Co

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2
Date of Royal Assent ... ... ... … … 19 October 1995
Date of publication in the Gazette … … 2 November 1995
PREVIOUS REPRINT
First Reprint ... ... ... ... ... 2002
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LAWS OF MALAYSIA
Act 538
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
PART I
PRELIMINARY
Section
1. Short title and commencement

2. Interpretation
PART II
THE BOARD OF TOWN PLANNERS
3. Establishment of the Board

4. Membership of the Board
5. Termination of appointment
6. Revocation of appointment
7. Filling of vacancy
8. Functions of the Board
9. Power to borrow
10. Committees
PART III
REGISTRATION OF TOWN PLANNERS
11. Register
12. Appointment and duties of Registrar
13. Entitlement
14. Restrictions on unregistered persons and registered Graduate Town
Planners Adam Haida & Co
4 Laws of Malaysia ACT 538
Section
15. Qualification for registration

16. Application for registration
17. Certificate of registration
18. Temporary registration of foreign Town Planners
19. Notification of change of address
PART IV
TOWN PLANNING PRACTICE BY BODIES CORPORATE
20. Composition of body corporate which may practise as Town Planner

21. Body corporate practising as Town Planner
22. Application for permit
23. Permit
24. Notification of change in composition and address
25. Board may cancel permit
26. Hearing to be conducted and right to be heard to be accorded
27. Cessation of practice
28. Surrender of permit
29. Board may issue fresh permit
30. Appeal against refusal, conditions and cancellation not allowed
PART V
REPRIMAND, SUSPENSION, CANCELLATION,

REMOVAL AND REINSTATEMENT
31. Appointment and powers of Investigation and Disciplinary Committees

32. Suspension of registration pending investigation
33. Order of Disciplinary Committee
34. Circumstances under which Disciplinary Committee may make order
35. Registration to be null and void under certain circumstances
36. Removal from Register
37. Surrender of certificate of registration
38. Reinstatement into the Register
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Town Planners 5
PART VI
APPEAL
Section
39. Appeal Board

40. Tenure of office and allowance of members of Appeal Board
41. Procedure of Appeal Board
42. Appeal
43. Procedure of appeal
PART VII
OFFENCES
44. Offences
45. General penalty
46. Offences by body corporate
47. Conduct of prosecution
48. Conduct of civil proceeding
PART VIII
GENERAL
49. Act or omission done in good faith

50. Rules
51. Registered Town Planners, registered Graduate Town Planners, etc.,
subject to this Act
52. Savings as to right of Government
SCHEDULE
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Town Planners 7
LAWS OF MALAYSIA
Act 538
An Act to provide for the registration of Town Planners and for

purposes connected therewith.
[1 January 1996]
BE IT ENACTED by the Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan

Agong with the advice and consent of the Dewan Negara and Dewan
Rakyat in Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same,
as follows:
PART I
PRELIMINARY
Short title and commencement
1. This Act may be cited as the Town Planners Act 1995 and shall
come into force on 1 January 1996.
Interpretation
2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—
“Board” means the Board of Town Planners established under

section 3;
“body corporate practising as a Town Planner” means a body

corporate incorporated under the Companies Act 1965 [Act 125]
which has been issued with a permit to practise as a Town Planner;
“certificate of registration” means a certificate issued under

subsection 17(1) and includes a duplicate certificate of registration
issued under subsection 17(2);
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“certificate of temporary registration” means a certificate issued
under subsection 18(4) and includes a duplicate certificate of temporary
registration issued under subsection 18(5);
“committee” means a committee appointed under section 10;
“member” means a member of the Board appointed under section

4 and includes the Chairman of the Board;
“Minister” means the Minister for the time being charged

with the responsibility for matters relating to town and country
planning;
“permit” means a permit issued under subsection 23(1) and

includes a duplicate permit issued under subsection 23(2);
“Persatuan Pegawai Perancang Bandar dan Desa” means

the association formed by Town Planners employed in the public
sector;
“Pertubuhan Perancang Malaysia” includes an institute, a body or

a society succeeding it and approved by the Minister;
“prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under section 50;
“profession” means the town planning profession;
“public authority” has the meaning assigned to it in the Federal

Constitution;
“Register” means the Register of Town Planners referred to in

section 11;
“registered Graduate Town Planner” means a person registered

under subsection 15(1);
“registered Town Planner” means a person registered under

subsection 15(3);
“Registrar” means the Registrar of Town Planners appointed

under subsection 12(1). Adam Haida & Co
Town Planners 9
PART II
THE BOARD OF TOWN PLANNERS
Establishment of the Board
3. (1) There shall be established a board to be known as the “Board

of Town Planners” which shall be a body corporate having perpetual
succession and a common seal.
(2) The Board may sue and be sued in its corporate name.
(3) Subject to and for the purposes of this Act, the Board may—
(a) enter into contracts; and
(b) acquire, purchase, take, hold and enjoy movable and
immovable property of every description.
(4) The Board may convey, assign, surrender and yield up,
charge, mortgage, demise, reassign, transfer or otherwise dispose
of, or deal with, movable or immovable property vested in the
Board—
(a) upon such terms as the Board thinks fit; and
(b) subject to any written law affecting the same.
Membership of the Board
4. (1) The Board shall consist of the following members:

(a) a Chairman;
(b) the President of the Pertubuhan Perancang Malaysia;
(c) the President of the Persatuan Pegawai Perancang Bandar
dan Desa;
(d) seven members being Town Planners from a nomination
list submitted by the Pertubuhan Perancang Malaysia of
whom shall be—
(i) three Town Planners who are in the service of public
authority;
(ii) three Town Planners who have been in private practice
Adam
for at least ten years in Haida & Co
Malaysia; and
(iii) one Town Planner who is in the employment of any
university or institution of higher learning and who
is engaged in the teaching of town and country
planning or town and regional planning;
(e) one member on the nomination of the Board of Architects

from among members of that Board established under the
Architects Act 1967 [Act 117];
(f) one member on the nomination of the Board of Engineers
Registration of Engineers Act 1967 [Act 138]; and
(g) one member on the nomination of the Board of Surveyors
Licensed Land Surveyors Act 1958 [Act 458].
(2) The Chairman and other members of the Board under paragraphs
(d) to (g)—
(a) shall be appointed by the Minister for a term not exceeding
three years;
(b) unless he sooner resigns or his appointment is sooner
revoked, shall hold office for the period as specified in the
instrument appointing him;
(c) shall be eligible for reappointment upon expiry of his term
of office but shall not be appointed for more than three
consecutive terms; and
(d) may, at any time, resign his office by letter addressed to
the Minister.
(3) The provisions of the Schedule shall apply to the Board.
Termination of appointment
5. The appointment of an appointed member of the Board shall

terminate—
(a) on his death; or
(b) if he resigns his office by letter addressed to the Minister.
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Town Planners 11
Revocation of appointment
6. The Minister may revoke the appointment of an appointed

member of the Board—
(a) if his conduct, whether in connection with his duties as a
member of the Board or otherwise, has been such as to
bring discredit on the Board;
(b) if he has become incapable of properly carrying out his
duties as a member of the Board;
(c) if there has been proved against him, or he has been
convicted on, a charge in respect of—
(i) an offence involving fraud, dishonesty or moral
turpitude;
(ii) an offence under a law relating to corruption;
(iii) an offence under this Act; or
(iv) any other offence punishable with imprisonment for
more than two years;
(d) if he becomes a bankrupt;

(e) if he has been found or declared to be of unsound mind or
has otherwise become incapable of managing his affairs;
(f) if he absents himself from three consecutive meetings of
the Board without obtaining leave in writing from the
Chairman of the Board;
(g) if his registration has been cancelled or become null and
void; or
(h) if his name has been removed from the Register.
Filling of vacancy
7. Where an appointed member ceases to be a member of the

Board, the Minister may appoint another person to fill the vacancy
for the remainder of the term for which the vacating member was
appointed.
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Functions of the Board
8. The functions of the Board shall be—

(a) to keep and maintain the Register;
(b) to approve or refuse applications for registration under
this Act;
(c) to prescribe the scale of fees to be charged by registered
Town Planners for professional advice given and service
rendered by it;
(d) to determine ethics of the profession;
(e) to regulate conduct of the profession;
(f) to hear and determine itself or appoint a committee or an
arbitrator to hear and determine disputes relating to—
(i) professional conduct; and
(ii) professional ethics,
of registered Town Planners and registered Graduate

Town Planners;
(g) to represent the profession in any matter in which it may

be necessary or expedient;
(h) to examine, report and make recommendations upon current
legislation and any other matter affecting the profession
to—
(i) the government;
(ii) a public authority; or
(iii) an institute, a body or a society for the time being
representing the profession;
(i) to appoint a panel, if so required, to conduct examinations

for admission to the profession consisting of—
(i) a member of the Board; and
(ii) Town Planners as the Board may determine;
(j) to appoint a person to represent it on a body or panel of

Adam by
examiners which may be appointed Haida & Co a body
an institute,
or a society for the time beinghttp://peguam.org
representing the profession;
Town Planners 13
(k) to make recommendations to the relevant authority in
relation to any examinations for qualification for admission
to the profession;
(l) to appoint members of the Board to sit on a board, committee
or body formed for any purpose affecting the profession;
and
(m) to appoint members of the Board to sit on the board of
another professional body as may be necessary.
Power to borrow
9. The Board may, with the approval of the Minister and upon such
terms and conditions as he may determine, borrow such sums as the
Board may require—
(a) for discharging its functions; and
(b) for meeting its obligations.
Committees
10. (1) The Board may appoint committees as it thinks expedient—

(a) to advise it on matters concerning its functions, powers
and duties;
(b) for the proper discharge of its functions, exercise of its
powers and performance of its duties;
(c) for any purpose arising out of or connected with its functions,
powers and duties; or
(d) to carry out its functions, powers or duties as it may
determine or delegate except in relation to its powers
under section 50.
(2) There shall be appointed to a committee at least one member

of the Board and any other person as the Board thinks fit.
(3) Members of a committee shall be paid such allowance as the

Board may determine.
(4) The Board may, at any time, discontinue or alter the constitution
of a committee. Adam Haida & Co
(5) Subject to this Act and directions given by the Board a
committee may regulate its own procedure.
(6) A committee shall conform to directions given to it by the

Board.
(7) A committee may invite any person to attend its meeting for
the purpose of advising it on any matter under discussion but that
person shall not be entitled to vote at the meeting.
(8) A person invited under subsection (7) shall be paid such fee
as the Board may determine.
(9) A committee shall cause—

(a) minutes of all its meetings to be maintained and kept in a
proper form; and
(b) copies of the minutes of all its meetings to be submitted to
the Board as soon as practicable.
PART III
REGISTRATION OF TOWN PLANNERS
Register
11. (1) The Register of Town Planners shall be in two sections as

follows:
(a) Section A — which shall contain the names, business
addresses and other particulars of registered Town Planners;
and
(b) Section B — which shall contain the names, addresses and
other particulars of registered Graduate Town Planners.
(2) The Register shall be kept and maintained at the office of the
Board and shall be accessible for public inspection.
(3) No amendment or alteration shall be made to the Register

without the prior approval of the Board.
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Town Planners 15
(4) In the event—
(a) an order is made by the Disciplinary Committee under
section 33;
(b) of the occurrence of any of the circumstances rendering a
registration null and void under section 35;
(c) of a removal from the Register under section 36;
(d) of a reinstatement into the Register under section 38; or
(e) of the—
(i) occurrence of any other circumstances; or
(ii) making of any other decision or order including in
respect of an appeal made under this Act,
affecting the registration of a registered Town Planner or

registered Graduate Town Planner,
the Board shall cause an entry to be made in the Register accordingly.
Appointment and duties of Registrar
12. (1) The Minister shall appoint a Registrar of Town Planners

who shall be under the general direction and supervision of the
Board.
(2) The Registrar shall—

(a) sign all certificates of registration, certificates of temporary
registration and permits;
(b) subject to subsection 11(3), record all entries required to
be made in the Register;
(c) as soon as practicable after 1 January each year, publish in
the Gazette a list of the names and addresses of all registered
Town Planners and registered Graduate Town Planners;
(d) from time to time, publish in the Gazette a list of the names
and addresses of registered Town Planners and registered
Graduate Town Planners—
(i) added to;
(ii) removed from; or
(iii) reinstated into,
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the Register; and http://peguam.org
(e) publish in at least two local newspapers, one in the national
language and one in any other language, the names and
addresses of registered Town Planners and registered
Graduate Town Planners—
(i) removed from; and
(ii) reinstated into,
the Register within thirty days of the removal or

reinstatement.
(3) In any proceedings, a list published in the Gazette under

paragraphs (2)(c) and (d) shall be prima facie proof that the registered
Town Planner and registered Graduate Town Planner whose name
appears in the list—
(a) is a registered Town Planner or registered Graduate Town
Planner;
(b) has been removed from the Register; or
(c) has been reinstated into the Register,
as the case may be.
(4) The Registrar may annually publish and offer for sale copies
of the Register.
Entitlement
13. (1) Every registered Town Planner shall be entitled to—

(a) prepare development plans such as structure plans and
local plans for the purposes of the Town and Country
Planning Act 1976 [Act 172];
(b) carry out urban, rural and regional development planning
studies, and feasibility and environmental impact assessment
studies relating to land use; and
(c) prepare and submit applications for planning permission,
subdivisional layouts, drawings and planning reports to
any person or public authority for the purposes of developing
any land.
(2) Nothing contained in this section shall affect the entitlement

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of any other person under any other written law to&doCoany of the
things under paragraphs (1)(a), (b) andhttp://peguam.org
(c).
Town Planners 17
Restrictions on unregistered persons and registered Graduate
Town Planners
14. (1) No person shall unless he is a registered Town Planner—

(a) use the title “registered Town Planner” or any title in any
language which may be reasonably construed to imply that
he is a registered Town Planner;
(b) use or display any sign, board, card or other device
representing or implying that he is a registered Town
Planner; or
(c) be entitled to recover in any court any fee, charge or
remuneration for professional advice given or service
rendered by it.
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a registered Graduate Town

Planner may, with the approval of the Board, take up employment
as a Town Planner.
Qualification for registration
15. (1) A person who holds—

(a) the qualification required for Graduate Membership of
the Pertubuhan Perancang Malaysia; or
(b) such other qualification as the Board considers to be
equivalent to it,
shall be entitled, on application made by him, to be registered

under Section B of the Register as a registered Graduate Town
Planner.
(2) A registered Graduate Town Planner shall be required to

obtain such practical experience as the Board may prescribe after
consulting the Minister and the Pertubuhan Perancang Malaysia,
in order to be entitled to apply for registration as a registered
Town Planner.
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(3) The following persons shall be entitled, on application made
by him, to be registered under Section A of the Register as registered
Town Planners:
(a) any person who—
(i) is a registered Graduate Town Planner; and
(ii) has obtained the practical experience as prescribed
under subsection (2); and
(b) any person who, on 1 January 1996, is a Corporate Member

of the Pertubuhan Perancang Malaysia.
(4) Notwithstanding subsection (3), a person shall not be entitled

to be registered as a registered Town Planner unless at the time
of the application for registration—
(a) he is a citizen or a permanent resident of Malaysia;
(b) he is residing in Malaysia; and
(c) he has been residing in Malaysia for a period of not less
than six months prior to the date of the application.
(5) Any person—

(a) whose name has been removed from the Register under
paragraph 36(b); and
(b) who has not applied for reinstatement into the Register
within five years from the date of the removal,
shall be entitled, on application made by him, to be registered

under Section A of the Register.
(6) No person shall be entitled to be registered as a registered

Town Planner or a registered Graduate Town Planner if at any
time prior to his registration there exists any of the circumstances
which would have rendered his registration null and void under
section 35.
Application for registration
16. An application for registration under section 15 shall be

made to the Board in the prescribed form and manner and
accompanied by the prescribed fee. Adam Haida & Co
Town Planners 19
Certificate of registration
17. (1) The Registrar shall issue to an applicant whose application
for registration has been approved by the Board, a certificate of
registration in the prescribed form upon receipt of the prescribed
fee.
(2) A registered Town Planner or registered Graduate Town

Planner who has lost his certificate of registration shall be issued
with a duplicate certificate of registration on application made by
him and payment of the prescribed fee.
(3) A certificate of registration shall—

(a) expire on 31 December of the year in which it is issued;
and
(b) be renewable annually upon payment of the prescribed
fee.
Temporary registration of foreign Town Planners

18. (1) The Board may, on application made by him in the prescribed
form and manner and payment of the prescribed fee, approve the
temporary registration as a registered Town Planner of a foreign
Town Planner who is a consultant to a project—
(a) wholly financed by a foreign government; or
(b) implemented under a bilateral arrangement between
governments.
(2) A foreign Town Planner may be considered for temporary

registration if he satisfies the Board that—
(a) he possesses the necessary qualification which is recognized
for the practice of town planning in the country where
he normally practises;
(b) he possesses the necessary expertise; and
(c) his physical presence is required in Malaysia for not less
than one hundred and eighty days in one calendar year
or he is a resident representative of the foreign component
of a joint venture.
(3) The Board may approve a temporary registration for a period

not exceeding one calendar year and may, on application, renew
such temporary registration as Adam Haida
it thinks fit. & Co
(4) The Registrar shall issue a certificate of temporary registration
in the prescribed form to a foreign Town Planner whose application
for temporary registration has been approved by the Board upon
receipt of the prescribed fee.
(5) A foreign Town Planner who has lost his certificate of

temporary registration shall be issued with a duplicate certificate
of temporary registration on application made by him and payment
of the prescribed fee.
(6) A foreign Town Planner who is dissatisfied with the decision

of the Board rejecting his application for temporary registration
or its renewal may, within twenty one days of being notified of
the rejection, appeal to the Minister.
(7) The decision of the Minister on an appeal under subsection

(6) shall be final and shall not be subject to appeal.
(8) For the purpose of this section, “foreign Town Planner”

means a Town Planner who is not a citizen or permanent resident
of Malaysia.
Notification of change of address
19. Every registered Town Planner, registered Graduate Town

Planner and foreign Town Planner shall notify the Registrar of any
change in his business address or correspondence address, as the
case may be, within fourteen days of the change.
PART IV
TOWN PLANNING PRACTICE BY BODIES CORPORATE
Composition of body corporate which may practise as Town

Planner
20. The Board may issue a permit to a body corporate for it to

practise as a Town Planner if—
(a) the board of directors of the body corporate consists—
(i) entirely of individual persons who are registered
Town Planners; Adam Haida & Co
Town Planners 21
(ii) of a majority of individual persons who are
registered Town Planners, and other individual
persons who are Professional Engineers, Quantity
Surveyors, Land Surveyors or Architects registered
under any written law relating to the registration
of such professions; or
(iii) of a majority of individual persons who are
registered Town Planners, and other individual
persons belonging to a profession allied to the
practice of town planning approved by the Board;
and
(b) all the shares of the body corporate are either held by the
persons mentioned in subparagraph (a)(i), (a)(ii) or (a)(iii)
and that the registered Town Planners—
(i) have a controlling interest; and
(ii) hold such percentage of the voting shares in the
body corporate as may be prescribed by the Board.
Body corporate practising as Town Planner
21. A body corporate practising as a Town Planner—

(a) may use the title “registered Town Planner” or any title
in any language which may be reasonably construed to
imply that it is a body corporate practising as a Town
Planner;
(b) may use or display any sign, board, card or other device
representing or implying that it is a body corporate
practising as a Town Planner; and
(c) shall be entitled to recover in any court any fee, charge
or remuneration for professional advice given or service
rendered by it.
Application for permit
22. An application by a body corporate for a permit to practise

as a Town Planner shall be made to the Board in the prescribed
AdambyHaida
form and manner and accompanied & Co
the prescribed fee.
Permit
23. (1) The Registrar shall issue to a body corporate, where its
application to practise as a Town Planner is approved by the
Board, a permit in the prescribed form upon receipt of the prescribed
fee.
(2) A body corporate practising as a Town Planner which has

lost its permit shall be issued with a duplicate permit on application
and payment of the prescribed fee.
(3) A permit shall—

(a) expire on 31 December of the year in which it is issued;
and
(b) be renewable annually upon payment of the prescribed
fee.
Notification of change in composition and address

24. A body corporate practising as a Town Planner shall notify
the Board—
(a) of any change in the composition of its board of directors
or its shareholders in a report containing full particulars
of the change, within thirty days of the change; and
(b) of any change in its business address, within fourteen
days of the change.
Board may cancel permit

25. The Board may cancel the permit issued to a body corporate
if the Board finds that—
(a) the body corporate or any of its directors or shareholders
has or have breached or failed to comply with or carry
out any of the terms, conditions or restrictions imposed
by the Board;
(b) the composition of the board of directors of the body
corporate is no longer in compliance with paragraph 20(a);
(c) the shareholding of the body corporate is no longer in
compliance with paragraph 20(b);
(d) the body corporate has breached the requirement of section
24; Adam Haida & Co
Town Planners 23
(e) a director or shareholder of the body corporate, whether
he is a registered Town Planner or not—
(i) is guilty of;
(ii) has committed;
(iii) is a party to; or
(iv) has contributed to,
any of the acts or things set out in subsection 34(1); or
(f) there exists any of the circumstances under section 35

relating to a director or shareholder of the body corporate,
whether he is a registered Town Planner or not.
Hearing to be conducted and right to be heard to be accorded
26. (1) The Board shall not cancel the permit issued to a body
corporate unless—
(a) there has been a hearing of the complaint against the
body corporate or any of its directors or shareholders
who has or have caused or contributed or been a party
to the complaint; and
(b) an opportunity to be heard—
(i) either by a representative appointed in writing or
by counsel in the case of a body corporate; or
(ii) either personally or by counsel in the case of a
director or shareholder,
has been given to the body corporate, director or

shareholder, as the case may be.
(2) The hearing under subsection (1) shall be conducted by at

least two-thirds of the total number of members of the Board.
(3) Where the complaint is based on paragraph 25(e) or (f), the

Board shall not cancel the permit if, on the date of hearing, the
body corporate satisfies the Board that—
(a) the director or shareholder who—
(i) is guilty of;
(ii) has committed;Adam Haida & Co
(iii) is a party to; or
(iv) has contributed to,
the act or thing as forms the grounds of complaint has

ceased to be its director or shareholder;
(b) notwithstanding paragraph (a), the composition of its

board of directors and shareholders is in compliance with
section 20; and
(c) no other director or shareholder, otherwise than by being
its director or shareholder at the material date, was in any
way a party to, or connected with, the act or thing which
forms the grounds of complaint.
Cessation of practice
27. (1) Upon the Board cancelling its permit, the body corporate
shall cease to practise as a Town Planner.
(2) The body corporate shall however be entitled to recover in

any court any fee, charge or remuneration for professional advice
given or service rendered by it where the advice was given or the
service was rendered prior to the date of receipt of the notice from
the Board cancelling its permit.
Surrender of permit
28. A body corporate practising as a Town Planner shall surrender

to the Board the permit issued to it, within fourteen days of notification
to it by registered post of the cancellation.
Board may issue fresh permit
29. (1) The Board may issue a fresh permit to a body corporate,
the permit of which has been cancelled, on application by the body
corporate if the Board is satisfied that—
(a) the reason which led to the cancellation no longer exists;
and
(b) the composition of the board of directors and shareholders
of the body corporate, at the time of the application, is
in compliance with section Adam
20. Haida & Co
Town Planners 25
(2) In issuing a fresh permit the Board may impose additional
terms, conditions and restrictions as it thinks fit.
Appeal against refusal, conditions and cancellation not allowed
30. There shall be no appeal against—

(a) the refusal of the Board to issue a permit to a body
corporate to practise as a Town Planner;
(b) any term, condition or restriction imposed by the Board
on a permit; and
(c) the cancellation of a permit.
PART V
REPRIMAND, SUSPENSION, CANCELLATION,

REMOVAL AND REINSTATEMENT
Appointment and powers of Investigation and Disciplinary

Committees
31. The Board shall appoint—

(a) an Investigation Committee, comprising three members
of the Board, to investigate into a complaint made against
a registered Town Planner or registered Graduate Town
Planner; and
(b) a Disciplinary Committee, comprising five members of
the Board not being members of the Investigation
Committee, to inquire into a complaint referred to it by
the Investigation Committee.
Suspension of registration pending investigation
32. (1) The Board may, if it thinks fit, suspend the registration
of a registered Town Planner or registered Graduate Town Planner
for a period not exceeding six months pending an investigation by
the Investigation Committee under paragraph 31(a).
(2) During the period of suspension the registered Town Planner

or Registered Graduate Town Planner shall not exercise any of the
rights or privileges accorded toAdam Haidathis
him under & CoAct.
Order of Disciplinary Committee
33. The Disciplinary Committee may order any one or any

combination of two or more of the following:
(a) the issuance of a written reprimand;
(b) the imposition of a fine not exceeding five thousand
ringgit;
(c) suspension for a period not exceeding one year;
(d) cancellation of registration.
Circumstances under which Disciplinary Committee may make

order
34. (1) An order under section 33 may be made against a registered

Town Planner or registered Graduate Town Planner under any of
the following circumstances:
(a) if he offers or accepts a commission which in the opinion
of the Disciplinary Committee is an illicit commission;
(b) if whilst acting in his professional capacity, he at the
same time and without disclosing the fact to his client—
(i) is a director of or substantial shareholder in or
agent for a contracting company, firm or business;
or
(ii) has a financial interest in the company, firm or
business with which he deals on behalf of his
client;
(c) if his registration has been obtained by fraud or

misrepresentation;
(d) if he is found guilty by the Disciplinary Committee of
an act or conduct which in the opinion of the Disciplinary
Committee is infamous or disgraceful;
(e) if he is found by the Disciplinary Committee to have
contravened or failed to comply with any provision of
this Act;
(f) if he fails to carry out or observe any term, condition or
Adam on
restriction imposed by the Board Haida
his & Co
registration;
Town Planners 27
(g) if he—
(i) procures;
(ii) causes the procurement of; or
(iii) is in any way a party to procuring,
a permit for a body corporate of which he is a director

or shareholder, by fraud or misrepresentation;
(h) if he, as a director or shareholder of a body corporate

practising as a Town Planner—
(i) conceals;
(ii) causes the concealing of; or
(iii) is in any way a party to the concealing of,
the existence of any fact or circumstances from the Board

which, if known, would entitle the Board to cancel its
permit;
(i) if he, in his capacity as a director or shareholder of a

body corporate practising as a Town Planner—
(i) contravenes;
(ii) causes the contravention of;
(iii) is in any way a party to the contravention of;
(iv) fails to carry out; or
(v) fails to observe,
the term, condition or restriction of the permit;
(j) if he causes or permits or suffers a body corporate of

which he is a director or shareholder—
(i) to practise as a Town Planner prior to the issuance
of a permit; or
(ii) to continue to practise as a Town Planner after the
Board has cancelled its permit.
(2) An opportunity to be heard either personally or by counsel

shall be given to the registered Town Planner or registered Graduate
Town Planner against whom the Disciplinary Committee intends
Adam Haida & Co
to make an order, before the order is made.
Registration to be null and void under certain circumstances
35. The registration of a registered Town Planner or registered

Graduate Town Planner shall be null and void under any of the
following circumstances:
(a) if there has been proved against him, or he has been
convicted on, a charge in respect of—
(i) an offence involving fraud, dishonesty or moral
turpitude;
(ii) an offence under a law relating to corruption;
(iii) an offence under this Act; or
(iv) any other offence punishable with imprisonment
for more than two years;
(b) if his qualification under section 15 has been withdrawn

or cancelled by the authority through which it was acquired
or by which it was awarded;
(c) if he has been found or declared to be of unsound mind
or has otherwise become incapable of performing his
professional duty; or
(d) if he becomes a bankrupt.
Removal from Register
36. There shall be removed from the Register the name and other
particulars of a registered Town Planner or registered Graduate
Town Planner—
(a) who has died;
(b) who has failed to renew his registration within three
months of its expiry;
(c) who has failed to pay the fine imposed on him under
paragraph 33(b);
(d) whose practice has been suspended under paragraph 33(c);
(e) whose registration has been cancelled under paragraph
33(d); or
(f) whose registration is null and
AdamvoidHaida
under& section
Co 35.
Town Planners 29
Surrender of certificate of registration
37. A person whose name has been removed from the Register
shall surrender to the Board the certificate of registration issued
to him, within fourteen days of notification to him by registered
post of the removal.
Reinstatement into the Register
38. (1) A person whose name has been removed from the Register
under an order of the Disciplinary Committee shall as soon as
practicable be reinstated into the Register, if his appeal is allowed.
(2) A person whose name has been removed from the Register
for failure to renew his registration shall as soon as practicable be
reinstated into the Register—
(a) after he has notified the Registrar of his desire to be
reinstated within five years of the removal; and
(b) upon payment of the prescribed fee.
PART VI
APPEAL
Appeal Board
39. For the purpose of this Part, there shall be established an

Appeal Board consisting of—
(a) a Judge of the High Court or a former Judge of the High
Court, as the Chairman, who shall be appointed by the
Yang di-Pertuan Agong after consultation with the Chief
Justice; and
(b) two other persons appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Tenure of office and allowance of members of Appeal Board
40. A member of the Appeal Board shall—

(a) unless he sooner resigns his office or his appointment is
sooner revoked hold office for the period as specified in
Adam
the instrument appointing Haida & Co
him;
(b) be eligible for reappointment; and
(c) be paid such allowance as the Minister may determine.
Procedure of Appeal Board
41. The Appeal Board shall at its discretion determine its own
procedure.
Appeal
42. Except as otherwise provided under this Act a person—

(a) who has been refused registration by the Board;
(b) who has been registered but is dissatisfied with any term,
condition or restriction imposed by the Board;
(c) who is dissatisfied with an order made by the Disciplinary
Committee; or
(d) whose name has been removed from the Register,
may appeal to the Appeal Board within thirty days of being notified
of the matter appealed against.
Procedure of appeal
43. (1) A notice of appeal shall be made to the Appeal Board.
(2) On receiving the notice of appeal the Chairman of the Appeal

Board or, in his absence, the member delegated by him so to do
shall cause the Board to prepare and send to the Appeal Board—
(a) the records or a summary of the records of the proceedings
of the Board; and
(b) the grounds of the decision of the Board,
on the matter appealed against.
(3) On receiving the records or a summary of the records and

the grounds of the decision of the Board, the Chairman of the
Appeal Board shall convene a sitting of the Appeal Board to hear
the appeal. Adam Haida & Co
Town Planners 31
(4) An opportunity to be heard either personally or by counsel
shall be given by the Appeal Board to an appellant.
(5) The Appeal Board after hearing the appeal may confirm,
reverse or vary the decision of the Board.
(6) The decision of the Appeal Board shall be final.
(7) The Board shall forthwith give effect to an order made by

the Appeal Board.
PART VII
OFFENCES
Offences
44. (1) A person commits an offence if he—

(a) procures or causes the procurement of a certificate of
registration, certificate of temporary registration or permit
by—
(i) making or causing to be made; or
(ii) producing or causing to be produced, a false or
fraudulent declaration, certificate, application or
representation;
(b) makes or causes to be made a falsification in the Register;

(c) forges, alters or counterfeits a certificate of registration,
certificate of temporary registration or permit;
(d) uses a forged, altered or counterfeited certificate of
registration, certificate of temporary registration or permit;
(e) personates a registered Town Planner, registered Graduate
Town Planner, foreign Town Planner or a director or
shareholder of a body corporate practising as a Town
Planner;
(f) buys or fraudulently obtains—
(i) a certificate of registration or certificate of temporary
registration issued to another person; or
(ii) a permit issued to a body corporate of which he
Adamnor
is neither a director Haida & Co
shareholder; or
(g) sells, assigns or transfers—
(i) a certificate of registration or certificate of temporary
registration issued to him; or
(ii) a permit issued to a body corporate of which he
is a director or shareholder.
(2) A person who is guilty of an offence under this section

shall, on conviction—
(a) be liable to a fine not exceeding ten thousand ringgit or
to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or
to both; and
(b) in the case of a continuing offence, be liable to a fine not
exceeding one thousand ringgit for every day or part of
a day during which the offence continues after conviction.
General penalty
45. A person who contravenes or fails to comply with any of the

provisions of this Act shall be guilty of an offence and where no
penalty is expressly provided shall, on conviction—
(a) be liable to a fine not exceeding five thousand ringgit or
to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or to
both; and
(b) in the case of a continuing offence, be liable to a fine not
exceeding five hundred ringgit for every day or part of
a day during which the offence continues after conviction.
Offences by body corporate
46. Where an offence under this Act has been committed by a

body corporate, a person who at the time of the commission of the
offence is a director, manager, secretary or other similar officer
of the body corporate or a person who was purporting to act in
such capacity shall, as well as the body corporate, be deemed to
be guilty of that offence unless he proves that the offence was
committed without his knowledge or that he took reasonable
precautions to prevent its commission.Adam Haida & Co
Town Planners 33
Conduct of prosecution
47. Prosecution for an offence under this Act shall not be instituted
or conducted except with the consent in writing of the Public
Prosecutor.
Conduct of civil proceeding
48. The Board may appoint an advocate and solicitor to institute

and conduct any civil proceeding on its behalf.
PART VIII
GENERAL
Act or omission done in good faith
49. No action or suit shall be instituted or maintained in any

court against—
(a) the Board;
(b) a member of the Board;
(c) a committee;
(d) a member of a committee; or
(e) a person authorized to act for or on behalf of the Board
or a committee,
for any act or omission done in good faith in the discharge of its
or his powers and duties under this Act.
Rules
50. The Board may, with the approval of the Minister, make
rules, which shall be published in the Gazette, generally as may
be necessary or expedient—
(a) for the purpose of carrying out or giving effect to this
Act; and
(b) for prescribing anything required by this Act to be
prescribed. Adam Haida & Co
Registered Town Planners, registered Graduate Town Planners,
etc., subject to this Act
51. Every registered Town Planner, registered Graduate Town

Planner, foreign Town Planner and body corporate practising as
a Town Planner shall be subject to this Act.
Savings as to right of Government
52. Nothing in this Act contained shall apply to anything done

or omitted to be done by or under the authority of the Federal
Government or the Government of any State.
SCHEDULE
[Subsection 4(3)]
Meetings
1. (1) The Board shall meet at least twice a year at a place as may be appointed
by the Chairman.
(2) The Chairman shall preside at a meeting of the Board and in his absence
the members of the Board shall elect one of their number to preside over the
meeting.
(3) The quorum of a meeting of the Board shall be four.
(4) If on a question to be determined by the Board there is an equality of

votes, the Chairman or, where the Chairman is absent, the member presiding
over that meeting shall have a casting vote.
Allowance
2. Members of the Board shall be paid such allowance as the Minister may
determine.
Board may invite others to meetings
3. (1) The Board may invite any person to attend a meeting or deliberation of
the Board for the purpose of advising it on any matter under discussion but that
person shall not be entitled to vote at the meeting or deliberation.
(2) A person invited under subparagraph (1) shall be paid such fee as the
Board may determine. Adam Haida & Co
Town Planners 35
Minutes
4. (1) The Board shall cause minutes of all its meetings to be maintained and
kept in a proper form.
(2) Minutes made of meetings of the Board shall, if duly signed, be admissible
in evidence in all legal proceedings without further proof.
(3) Every meeting of the Board in respect of the proceedings of which

minutes have been so made shall be deemed to have been duly convened and
held and all members thereat to have been duly qualified to act.
Disclosure of interest
5. (1) A member of the Board having, directly or indirectly, by himself or his

partner—
(a) an interest in a company or undertaking with which the Board proposes
to make a contract; or
(b) an interest in a contract or matter under discussion by the Board,
shall disclose to the Board the fact of his interest and its nature.
(2) A disclosure under subparagraph (1) shall be recorded in the minutes of

the Board and, unless specifically authorized by the Chairman, such member
shall take no part in the deliberation or decision of the Board relating to the
contract or matter.
Validity of acts and proceedings
6. No act done or proceeding taken under this Act shall be questioned on the
ground of—
(a) a vacancy in the membership of, or a defect in the constitution of,
the Board;
(b) a contravention by a member of the Board of paragraph 5; or
(c) an omission, a defect or an irregularity not affecting the merit of the
case.
Common seal
7. (1) The Board shall have a common seal which shall bear a device approved
by the Board.
(2) The common seal may from time to time be broken, changed, altered and
made anew as to the Board thinks fit.
(3) The common seal shall be kept in the custody of the Chairman of the
Board and shall be authenticated by the Chairman or a member of the Board
Adam Haida & Co
acting in the absence of the Chairman.
(4) All deeds, documents and other instruments purporting to be sealed with
the common seal and authenticated as in subparagraph (3) shall be deemed to
have been validly executed, until the contrary is shown.
(5) A deed, a document or an instrument which if executed by a person not

being a body corporate would not be required to be under seal may in like
manner be executed by the Board.
(6) A deed, a document or an instrument mentioned in subparagraph (5) may

be executed on behalf of the Board by a member of the Board generally or
specially authorized by the Board in that behalf.
(7) The common seal of the Board shall be officially and judicially noticed.
Application of money
8. (1) Money received by the Board whether from fees payable under this Act
or otherwise shall be applied by the Board—
(a) in the first place to defraying the expenses of registration and other
expenses for the administration of this Act including any expenses
of the Board that may be allowed under this Act; and
(b) thereafter to the promotion and advancement of the profession of
town and country planning.
(2) Money that is not immediately required by the Board may be invested
in such trustee securities as the Board may from time to time determine after
consultation with the Minister.
Procedure
9. Subject to this Act the Board shall at its discretion determine its own
procedure.
Member of the Board to devote time to the business of the Board
10. Every member of the Board shall devote such time to the business of the
Board as is necessary to discharge his duties effectively.
Adam Haida & Co

Town Planners 37
LAWS OF MALAYSIA
Act 538
LIST OF AMENDMENTS
Amending law Short title In force from
– NIL –
Adam Haida & Co

LAWS OF MALAYSIA
Act 538
LIST OF SECTIONS AMENDED
Section Amending authority In force from
– NIL –
DICETAK OLEH
PERCETAKAN NASIONAL MALAYSIA BERHAD,
Adam Haida & Co

KUALA LUMPUR
BAGI PIHAK DAN DENGAN PERINTAH KERAJAAN MALAYSIA

Act 538 Town Planners Act 1995

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Town Planners 1

TOWN PLANNERS ACT 1995

Adam Haida & Co

TOWN PLANNERS ACT 1995

Date of Royal Assent ... ... ... … … 19 October 1995

Date of publication in the Gazette … … 2 November 1995

First Reprint ... ... ... ... ... 2002

Adam Haida & Co

TOWN PLANNERS ACT 1995

1. Short title and commencement

THE BOARD OF TOWN PLANNERS

3. Establishment of the Board

REGISTRATION OF TOWN PLANNERS

15. Qualification for registration

TOWN PLANNING PRACTICE BY BODIES CORPORATE

20. Composition of body corporate which may practise as Town Planner

REPRIMAND, SUSPENSION, CANCELLATION,

31. Appointment and powers of Investigation and Disciplinary Committees

39. Appeal Board

49. Act or omission done in good faith

Adam Haida & Co

Adam Haida & Co

TOWN PLANNERS ACT 1995

An Act to provide for the registration of Town Planners and for

BE IT ENACTED by the Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan

Short title and commencement

2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—

“Board” means the Board of Town Planners established under

“body corporate practising as a Town Planner” means a body

“certificate of registration” means a certificate issued under

“committee” means a committee appointed under section 10;

“member” means a member of the Board appointed under section

“Minister” means the Minister for the time being charged

“permit” means a permit issued under subsection 23(1) and

“Persatuan Pegawai Perancang Bandar dan Desa” means

“Pertubuhan Perancang Malaysia” includes an institute, a body or

“prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under section 50;

“profession” means the town planning profession;

“public authority” has the meaning assigned to it in the Federal

“Register” means the Register of Town Planners referred to in

“registered Graduate Town Planner” means a person registered

“registered Town Planner” means a person registered under

“Registrar” means the Registrar of Town Planners appointed

THE BOARD OF TOWN PLANNERS

Establishment of the Board

3. (1) There shall be established a board to be known as the “Board

Membership of the Board

4. (1) The Board shall consist of the following members:

(e) one member on the nomination of the Board of Architects

(3) The provisions of the Schedule shall apply to the Board.

5. The appointment of an appointed member of the Board shall

6. The Minister may revoke the appointment of an appointed

(d) if he becomes a bankrupt;

7. Where an appointed member ceases to be a member of the

8. The functions of the Board shall be—

of registered Town Planners and registered Graduate

(g) to represent the profession in any matter in which it may

(i) to appoint a panel, if so required, to conduct examinations

(j) to appoint a person to represent it on a body or panel of

10. (1) The Board may appoint committees as it thinks expedient—