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Commercial Law

The document outlines the rights and obligations of buyers and sellers in a contract of sale of goods, emphasizing the seller's duty to deliver goods and the buyer's obligation to accept and pay for them. It references the Sales of Goods Act 1957, which defines delivery as the voluntary transfer of possession and establishes that delivery and payment are concurrent obligations. Additionally, it discusses remedies available to both parties in case of breach of contract, ensuring the protection of their rights.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
7 views12 pages

Commercial Law

The document outlines the rights and obligations of buyers and sellers in a contract of sale of goods, emphasizing the seller's duty to deliver goods and the buyer's obligation to accept and pay for them. It references the Sales of Goods Act 1957, which defines delivery as the voluntary transfer of possession and establishes that delivery and payment are concurrent obligations. Additionally, it discusses remedies available to both parties in case of breach of contract, ensuring the protection of their rights.

Uploaded by

pretty pony
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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‭1.

0 INTRODUCTION‬

‭In‬ ‭a‬ ‭contract‬ ‭of‬ ‭sale‬ ‭of‬‭goods,‬‭both‬‭the‬‭buyer‬‭and‬ ‭the‬‭seller‬‭have‬‭their‬‭own‬‭respective‬


‭rights‬‭and‬‭liabilities.‬‭The‬‭seller‬‭is‬‭obligated‬‭to‬‭deliver‬‭the‬‭goods‬‭to‬‭the‬‭buyer‬‭in‬‭accordance‬‭with‬
‭the‬‭time,‬‭method‬‭and‬‭quantity‬‭specified‬‭in‬‭the‬‭contract.‬‭The‬‭buyer‬‭is‬‭bound‬‭to‬‭accept‬‭and‬‭pay‬‭for‬
‭the‬ ‭goods,‬ ‭the‬ ‭presumption‬ ‭being‬ ‭that‬ ‭delivery‬ ‭and‬ ‭payment‬ ‭are‬ ‭mutual‬ ‭and‬ ‭concurrent‬
‭conditions.‬ ‭According‬ ‭to‬‭Section‬‭2‬‭of‬‭Sales‬‭of‬‭Goods‬‭Act‬‭1957‬‭1‬‭,‬‭a‬‭seller‬‭is‬‭defined‬‭as‬‭a‬‭person‬
‭who‬‭sells‬‭or‬‭agrees‬‭to‬‭sell‬‭goods‬‭while‬‭a‬‭buyer‬‭is‬‭defined‬‭as‬‭a‬‭person‬‭who‬‭buys‬‭or‬‭agrees‬‭to‬‭buy‬
‭goods.‬ ‭Therefore,“delivery”‬ ‭refers‬ ‭solely‬ ‭to‬ ‭the‬ ‭actions‬ ‭the‬ ‭seller‬ ‭must‬ ‭take‬ ‭to‬ ‭ensure‬ ‭that‬ ‭the‬
‭buyer receives the possession of the goods.‬

‭As‬ ‭a‬ ‭general‬ ‭rule,‬ ‭the‬ ‭seller‬ ‭can‬ ‭fulfill‬ ‭the‬ ‭delivery‬ ‭obligation‬ ‭unilaterally‬ ‭without‬
‭requiring‬ ‭the‬ ‭buyer’s‬ ‭cooperation.‬ ‭This‬ ‭obligation‬ ‭may‬ ‭be‬ ‭performed‬‭even‬‭if‬‭the‬‭buyer‬‭has‬‭not‬
‭physically‬ ‭taken‬ ‭possession‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭goods‬ ‭or‬ ‭if‬ ‭no‬ ‭transportation‬ ‭has‬ ‭been‬ ‭arranged.‬ ‭Moreover,‬
‭contractual‬‭remedies‬‭are‬‭also‬‭open‬‭and‬‭available‬‭to‬‭the‬‭buyer‬‭or‬‭seller‬‭who‬‭are‬‭aggrieved‬‭by‬‭the‬
‭other‬ ‭parties‬ ‭in‬ ‭case‬ ‭of‬ ‭breach.‬ ‭Such‬ ‭as,‬ ‭the‬ ‭buyer‬ ‭who‬ ‭is‬‭aggrieved‬‭by‬‭the‬‭seller's‬‭delivery‬‭of‬
‭defective‬ ‭goods‬ ‭in‬ ‭quality‬‭or‬‭the‬‭seller‬‭who‬‭is‬‭aggrieved‬‭and‬‭suffered‬‭by‬‭the‬‭breach‬‭of‬‭contract‬
‭by‬‭the‬‭buyer.‬‭The‬‭seller‬‭has‬‭the‬‭duty‬‭of‬‭delivering‬‭the‬‭goods‬‭to‬‭the‬‭buyer‬‭while‬‭the‬‭buyer‬‭has‬‭the‬
‭duty‬ ‭of‬ ‭accepting‬ ‭and‬ ‭paying‬ ‭for‬ ‭said‬ ‭goods‬ ‭according‬ ‭to‬ ‭the‬ ‭terms‬ ‭and‬ ‭conditions‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬
‭contract.‬‭These‬‭remedies‬‭safeguard‬‭the‬‭rights‬‭of‬‭both‬‭parties.‬‭Thus,‬‭the‬‭rights‬‭and‬‭obligations‬‭of‬
‭the‬‭seller‬‭and‬‭buyer‬‭in‬‭a‬‭contract‬‭of‬‭sale‬‭of‬‭goods‬‭are‬‭established‬‭through‬‭the‬‭delivery‬‭of‬‭goods,‬
‭acceptance, payment and the available remedies in the event of breach.‬

‭1‬
‭Section 2 of Sales of Goods Act 1957‬

‭2‬
‭2.0 RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF BUYER AND SELLER‬

‭2.1 DELIVERY‬

‭According‬ ‭to‬ ‭Section‬ ‭2‬ ‭Sales‬ ‭of‬ ‭Goods‬ ‭Act‬ ‭1957‬‭,‬ ‭defined‬ ‭as‬ ‭voluntary‬ ‭transfer‬ ‭of‬
‭possession‬ ‭from‬ ‭one‬ ‭person‬ ‭to‬ ‭another,‬ ‭goods‬ ‭are‬‭said‬‭to‬‭be‬‭in‬‭a‬‭“deliverable‬‭state”‬‭when‬‭they‬
‭are‬ ‭in‬ ‭such‬ ‭a‬ ‭state‬ ‭that‬ ‭the‬ ‭buyer‬ ‭would‬ ‭under‬ ‭the‬ ‭contract‬ ‭be‬‭bound‬‭to‬‭take‬‭delivery‬‭of‬‭them.‬
‭Thus,‬‭it‬‭could‬‭be‬‭seen‬‭that‬‭delivery‬‭is‬‭the‬‭steps‬‭that‬‭the‬‭seller‬‭must‬‭take‬‭in‬‭order‬‭to‬‭ensure‬‭that‬‭the‬
‭buyer‬ ‭obtains‬ ‭possession‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭goods.‬‭It‬‭is‬‭also‬‭to‬‭be‬‭noted‬‭that‬‭the‬‭delivery‬‭obligation‬‭can‬‭be‬
‭made‬ ‭without‬ ‭involving‬ ‭physical‬ ‭transfer‬ ‭of‬ ‭handing‬ ‭over‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭goods‬ ‭from‬ ‭the‬ ‭seller‬ ‭to‬ ‭the‬
‭buyer.‬‭Thus,‬‭as‬‭long‬‭as‬‭the‬‭goods‬‭are‬‭delivered‬‭and‬‭the‬‭buyer‬‭takes‬‭possession‬‭of‬‭it,‬‭the‬‭seller’s‬
‭duty‬ ‭is‬ ‭completely‬ ‭fulfilled.‬ ‭It‬ ‭is‬ ‭said‬ ‭that‬ ‭the‬ ‭legal‬ ‭definition‬ ‭of‬ ‭delivery‬ ‭is‬ ‭different‬ ‭from‬ ‭its‬
‭common‬ ‭understanding.‬ ‭In‬ ‭legal‬ ‭terms,‬ ‭delivery‬ ‭refers‬ ‭to‬ ‭the‬ ‭voluntary‬ ‭transfer‬ ‭of‬ ‭possession,‬
‭which‬‭is‬‭different‬‭from‬‭handling‬‭the‬‭goods‬‭itself.‬‭In‬‭fact,‬‭there‬‭is‬‭no‬‭general‬‭rule‬‭for‬‭the‬‭seller‬‭to‬
‭send‬‭the‬‭goods‬‭to‬‭the‬‭buyer‬‭2‬‭.‬‭Section‬‭32‬‭3‬ ‭of‬‭the‬‭Sales‬‭of‬‭Goods‬‭Act‬‭1957‬‭,‬‭also‬‭provided‬‭where‬
‭payments‬‭and‬‭delivery‬‭are‬‭concurrent‬‭conditions,‬‭the‬‭seller‬‭shall‬‭be‬‭ready‬‭and‬‭willing‬‭to‬‭give‬‭the‬
‭possession‬‭of‬‭the‬‭goods‬‭to‬‭the‬‭buyer‬‭and‬‭the‬‭buyer‬‭must‬‭be‬‭ready‬‭to‬‭pay‬‭the‬‭price‬‭in‬‭exchange‬‭for‬
‭possession of the goods.‬

‭While‬‭Section‬‭31‬‭4‬ ‭of‬‭Act,‬‭provided‬‭on‬‭the‬‭duty‬‭of‬‭the‬‭seller‬‭and‬‭the‬‭buyer‬‭where‬‭it‬‭is‬‭the‬
‭duty‬‭of‬‭the‬‭seller‬‭to‬‭deliver‬‭the‬‭goods‬‭and‬‭of‬‭the‬‭buyer‬‭to‬‭accept‬‭and‬‭pay‬‭for‬‭them‬‭in‬‭accordance‬
‭with‬‭the‬‭terms‬‭of‬‭the‬‭contract‬‭of‬‭sale.‬‭In‬‭the‬‭case‬‭of‬‭Wasco‬‭Lindung‬‭Sdn‬‭Bhd‬‭v‬‭Lustre‬‭Metals‬
‭&‬ ‭Minerals‬ ‭Sdn‬ ‭Bhd‬‭5‬‭,‬ ‭stated‬ ‭the‬ ‭importance‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬‭duty‬‭of‬‭the‬‭seller‬‭and‬‭the‬‭buyer.‬‭The‬‭case‬
‭also‬ ‭cited‬ ‭the‬ ‭case‬ ‭of‬ ‭Popular‬ ‭Industries‬ ‭Limited‬ ‭v‬ ‭Eastern‬ ‭Garment‬ ‭Manufacturing‬ ‭Sdn‬ ‭Bhd‬
‭[1989]‬‭3‬‭MLJ‬‭360‬‭,‬‭where‬‭it‬‭discussed,‬‭"In‬‭ordinary‬‭contracts‬‭for‬‭the‬‭sale‬‭of‬‭goods,‬‭delivery‬‭and‬
‭payment‬ ‭are‬ ‭concurrent‬ ‭obligations."‬ ‭The‬ ‭court‬ ‭held‬ ‭that‬ ‭the‬ ‭defendant‬ ‭and‬ ‭not‬ ‭the‬ ‭Chinese‬
‭supplier‬ ‭was‬ ‭the‬ ‭seller‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭aluminium‬ ‭ingots‬ ‭based‬ ‭on‬ ‭undisputed‬ ‭documents.‬ ‭Additionally,‬
‭since‬‭the‬‭plaintiff‬‭paid‬‭the‬‭defendant‬‭directly‬‭for‬‭the‬‭first‬‭batch,‬‭the‬‭defendant‬‭was‬‭found‬‭to‬‭have‬

‭2‬
‭Atiyah, P.S., J.N. Adams, and H.L. MacQueen. 2001.‬‭The Sale of Goods. 10th ed.: Pearson/Longman.‬
‭3‬
‭ ection 32 of Sales of Goods Act 1957‬
S
‭4‬
‭Section 31 of Sales of Goods Act 1957‬
‭5‬
‭[2015] 9 MLJ 610‬

‭3‬
‭the‬ ‭obligation‬ ‭to‬ ‭deliver‬ ‭the‬ ‭ingots‬ ‭to‬ ‭the‬ ‭plaintiff‬ ‭under‬ ‭Section‬ ‭31‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭Sale‬ ‭of‬ ‭Goods‬‭Act‬
‭(SGA).‬

‭Moreover,‬‭it‬‭could‬‭be‬‭seen‬‭that‬‭not‬‭only‬‭the‬‭seller‬‭must‬‭deliver‬‭the‬‭goods‬‭to‬‭the‬‭buyer,‬‭the‬
‭latter‬ ‭must‬ ‭also‬ ‭receive‬ ‭them.‬ ‭Moreover,‬ ‭Section‬ ‭33‬‭6‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭Act‬ ‭also‬ ‭stated‬ ‭on‬ ‭three‬
‭circumstances‬ ‭that‬ ‭amount‬ ‭to‬ ‭delivery‬ ‭where‬ ‭delivery‬ ‭of‬ ‭goods‬ ‭sold‬ ‭may‬ ‭be‬ ‭made‬ ‭by‬ ‭doing‬
‭anything‬‭which‬‭the‬‭parties‬‭agree‬‭shall‬‭be‬‭treated‬‭as‬‭delivery‬‭or‬‭which‬‭has‬‭the‬‭effect‬‭of‬‭putting‬‭the‬
‭goods‬‭in‬‭the‬‭possession‬‭of‬‭the‬‭buyer‬‭of‬‭any‬‭act‬‭where‬‭any‬‭person‬‭authorised‬‭to‬‭hold‬‭them‬‭on‬‭his‬
‭behalf.‬ ‭Thus,‬ ‭where‬ ‭the‬ ‭goods‬ ‭are‬ ‭delivered‬ ‭at‬ ‭the‬ ‭buyer’s‬ ‭premises,‬ ‭it‬ ‭will‬ ‭be‬ ‭effective‬‭if‬‭the‬
‭seller‬‭hands‬‭over‬‭the‬‭goods‬‭to‬‭someone‬‭apparently‬‭having‬‭authority‬‭to‬‭receive‬‭them.‬‭Therefore,‬
‭the‬ ‭main‬‭obligations‬‭of‬‭the‬‭seller‬‭are‬‭the‬‭delivery‬‭of‬‭the‬‭goods‬‭and‬‭the‬‭transfer‬‭of‬‭ownership‬‭of‬
‭the‬ ‭goods.‬ ‭Additionally,‬ ‭the‬ ‭seller‬ ‭must‬ ‭ensure‬ ‭that‬ ‭the‬ ‭buyer‬ ‭obtains‬ ‭possession‬‭of‬‭the‬‭goods.‬
‭While‬‭the‬‭place‬‭of‬‭delivery‬‭is‬‭stated‬‭in‬‭Section‬‭36(1)‬‭7‬ ‭of‬‭SOGA‬‭1957,‬‭where‬‭whether‬‭the‬‭seller‬
‭is‬ ‭required‬ ‭to‬ ‭send‬ ‭the‬ ‭goods‬ ‭to‬ ‭the‬ ‭buyer‬‭or‬‭the‬‭buyer‬‭has‬‭to‬‭take‬‭the‬‭possession‬‭of‬‭the‬‭goods‬
‭depends‬ ‭on‬ ‭what‬ ‭has‬ ‭been‬ ‭agreed‬ ‭upon‬ ‭by‬ ‭them.‬ ‭The‬ ‭general‬ ‭rule‬ ‭is‬‭that‬‭goods‬‭sold‬‭are‬‭to‬‭be‬
‭delivered‬‭at‬‭the‬‭place‬‭and‬‭time‬‭of‬‭the‬‭sale.‬‭Goods‬‭that‬‭are‬‭agreed‬‭to‬‭be‬‭sold‬‭should‬‭be‬‭delivered‬
‭to‬‭the‬‭location‬‭where‬‭they‬‭are‬‭at‬‭the‬‭time‬‭of‬‭the‬‭agreement‬‭or‬‭in‬‭the‬‭case‬‭of‬‭goods‬‭that‬‭do‬‭not‬‭yet‬
‭exist at the place of manufacture or production.‬

‭Therefore,‬ ‭it‬ ‭is‬ ‭to‬ ‭be‬ ‭delivered‬ ‭in‬ ‭accordance‬ ‭to‬ ‭the‬ ‭parties‬ ‭agreement‬ ‭where‬ ‭it‬ ‭can‬ ‭be‬
‭satisfied‬ ‭by‬ ‭delivering‬ ‭the‬ ‭buyer’s‬ ‭goods‬ ‭in‬ ‭a‬ ‭deliverable‬ ‭state‬ ‭and‬ ‭the‬ ‭parties‬ ‭agreed‬ ‭that‬ ‭the‬
‭seller‬ ‭should‬ ‭deliver‬ ‭it‬ ‭to‬ ‭the‬ ‭buyer‬ ‭according‬ ‭to‬ ‭Section‬ ‭36.‬ ‭It‬‭can‬‭also‬‭be‬‭satisfied‬‭by‬‭a‬‭third‬
‭party’s‬ ‭acknowledgement‬ ‭where‬ ‭he‬ ‭holds‬ ‭the‬ ‭goods‬ ‭on‬ ‭the‬ ‭behalf‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭buyer‬ ‭as‬ ‭stated‬ ‭in‬
‭Section‬ ‭36(3)‬‭8‭.‬ ‬ ‭Moreover,‬ ‭the‬ ‭seller‬ ‭is‬ ‭obligated‬ ‭to‬ ‭send‬ ‭the‬ ‭goods‬ ‭to‬ ‭the‬ ‭buyer‬ ‭but‬ ‭is‬ ‭not‬
‭required‬ ‭to‬ ‭specify‬ ‭the‬ ‭exact‬ ‭time‬ ‭to‬ ‭deliver.‬ ‭Whether‬ ‭the‬ ‭seller‬ ‭is‬‭obligated‬‭to‬‭send‬‭the‬‭goods‬
‭within‬ ‭a‬ ‭reasonable‬ ‭time‬ ‭is‬ ‭a‬‭matter‬‭of‬‭fact‬‭9‬‭.‬‭A‬‭demand‬‭or‬‭offer‬‭of‬‭delivery‬‭may‬‭be‬‭considered‬
‭ineffective‬‭unless‬‭it‬‭is‬‭made‬‭at‬‭a‬‭reasonable‬‭hour‬‭10‬‭.‬‭The‬‭term‬‭“reasonable”‬‭hour‬‭is‬‭a‬‭question‬‭of‬
‭fact. Where it is according to the goods to be delivered.‬

‭6‬
‭ ection 33 of Sales of Goods Act 1957‬
S
‭7‬
‭Section 36(1) of Sales of Goods Act 1957‬
‭8‬
‭Section 36(3) of Sales of Goods Act 1957‬
‭9‬
‭Detta, Lee Mie Pheng . Ivan Jeron. 2011. Commercial‬‭Law: Oxford Fajar sdn. Bhd.‬
‭10‬
‭Section 36(4) of Sales of Goods Act 1957‬

‭4‬
‭It‬ ‭could‬‭be‬‭seen‬‭that‬‭when‬‭and‬‭how‬‭the‬‭traders‬‭should‬‭deliver‬‭the‬‭goods‬‭depends‬‭on‬‭the‬
‭buyers‬‭where‬‭it‬‭is‬‭stated‬‭in‬‭the‬‭express‬‭term‬‭between‬‭the‬‭parties.‬‭Therefore,‬‭failure‬‭of‬‭the‬‭seller‬
‭to‬ ‭deliver‬ ‭the‬ ‭goods‬ ‭to‬ ‭the‬ ‭buyer‬ ‭as‬ ‭agreed‬ ‭will‬ ‭amount‬ ‭to‬ ‭breach‬ ‭of‬ ‭contract.‬ ‭Moreover,‬ ‭in‬
‭Section‬ ‭36(5)‬‭11‬‭,‬ ‭it‬ ‭provides‬ ‭that‬ ‭unless‬ ‭the‬ ‭parties‬ ‭agree‬ ‭otherwise,‬ ‭the‬ ‭expenses‬ ‭and‬ ‭goods‬
‭incidental‬ ‭to‬ ‭putting‬‭the‬‭goods‬‭into‬‭a‬‭deliverable‬‭state‬‭shall‬‭be‬‭borne‬‭by‬‭the‬‭seller.‬‭The‬‭seller‬‭is‬
‭also‬‭bound‬‭to‬‭send‬‭the‬‭goods‬‭to‬‭the‬‭buyer‬‭however‬‭if‬‭there‬‭is‬‭no‬‭specific‬‭time‬‭given‬‭or‬‭mentioned‬
‭in‬‭the‬‭terms‬‭of‬‭the‬‭contract‬‭for‬‭the‬‭delivery‬‭of‬‭the‬‭goods‬‭to‬‭the‬‭buyer,‬‭then‬‭the‬‭seller‬‭is‬‭bound‬‭to‬
‭send‬ ‭within‬ ‭reasonable‬ ‭time‬‭12‬‭.‬ ‭The‬ ‭word,‬ ‭“reasonable”‬ ‭is‬ ‭also‬ ‭a‬ ‭question‬ ‭of‬ ‭fact,‬ ‭but‬ ‭it‬ ‭is‬
‭according‬ ‭to‬‭the‬‭goods‬‭whether‬‭it‬‭involves‬‭perishable‬‭goods‬‭or‬‭furniture,‬‭then‬‭the‬‭delivery‬‭may‬
‭take‬ ‭place‬ ‭on‬ ‭the‬ ‭same‬‭day‬‭or‬‭even‬‭later‬‭according‬‭to‬‭the‬‭goods.‬‭In‬‭a‬‭situation‬‭where‬‭the‬‭seller‬
‭delivers‬ ‭fewer‬ ‭goods‬ ‭than‬ ‭agreed‬ ‭upon‬ ‭in‬ ‭the‬ ‭contract,‬ ‭the‬ ‭buyer‬ ‭may‬ ‭reject‬ ‭all‬ ‭the‬ ‭goods‬
‭delivered.‬ ‭However,‬ ‭if‬ ‭the‬ ‭buyer‬ ‭accepts‬ ‭the‬ ‭goods‬ ‭delivered‬ ‭in‬ ‭the‬ ‭correct‬ ‭quantity,‬ ‭they‬ ‭are‬
‭required‬‭to‬‭pay‬‭for‬‭them‬‭at‬‭the‬‭contract‬‭rate,‬‭as‬‭stated‬‭in‬‭Section‬‭37(1)‬‭13‬‭.‬‭Therefore,‬‭if‬‭the‬‭seller‬
‭delivers‬ ‭a‬‭larger‬‭quantity‬‭of‬‭goods‬‭than‬‭agreed,‬‭the‬‭buyer‬‭has‬‭several‬‭options,‬‭whether‬‭they‬‭can‬
‭accept‬‭the‬‭quantity‬‭as‬‭per‬‭the‬‭contract‬‭and‬‭reject‬‭the‬‭excess,‬‭reject‬‭all‬‭goods‬‭or‬‭accept‬‭the‬‭entire‬
‭quantity.‬‭If‬‭the‬‭buyer‬‭chooses‬‭to‬‭accept‬‭all‬‭the‬‭goods,‬‭they‬‭must‬‭pay‬‭for‬‭them‬‭at‬‭the‬‭contract‬‭rate,‬
‭as stated in‬‭Section 37(2)‬‭14‬‭.‬

‭Thus,‬‭the‬‭provisions‬‭under‬‭Section‬‭37‬‭of‬‭the‬‭Sales‬‭of‬‭Goods‬‭Act‬‭1957‬‭provide‬‭guidelines‬
‭on‬‭how‬‭to‬‭handle‬‭situations‬‭involving‬‭the‬‭delivery‬‭of‬‭goods‬‭that‬‭differ‬‭from‬‭the‬‭agreed‬‭quantity.‬
‭It‬‭helps‬‭the‬‭buyer‬‭in‬‭situations‬‭where‬‭the‬‭delivery‬‭does‬‭not‬‭align‬‭with‬‭the‬‭contract,‬‭thus,‬‭it‬‭allows‬
‭them‬‭to‬‭make‬‭decisions‬‭about‬‭whether‬‭to‬‭accept,‬‭reject‬‭or‬‭pay‬‭for‬‭the‬‭goods‬‭delivered.‬‭Moreover,‬
‭the‬‭delivery‬‭of‬‭goods‬‭in‬‭a‬‭sales‬‭of‬‭goods‬‭contract‬‭is‬‭one‬‭of‬‭the‬‭important‬‭aspects‬‭where‬‭they‬‭are‬
‭responsible‬ ‭to‬ ‭ensure‬ ‭the‬ ‭goods‬ ‭are‬ ‭delivered‬ ‭to‬ ‭the‬ ‭buyer‬ ‭in‬ ‭a‬ ‭deliverable‬ ‭state‬ ‭within‬ ‭a‬
‭reasonable‬‭time‬‭which‬‭also‬‭protects‬‭the‬‭buyer‬‭and‬‭highlights‬‭the‬‭obligation‬‭of‬‭the‬‭seller‬‭to‬‭fulfill‬
‭the contract.‬

‭11‬
‭ ection 36(5) of Sales of Goods Act 1957‬
S
‭12‬
‭Section 36(2) of Sales of Goods Act 1957‬
‭13‬
‭Section 37(1) of Sales of Goods Act 1957‬
‭14‬
‭Section 37(2) of Sales of Goods Act 1957‬

‭5‬
‭2.2 SELLER’S RIGHTS‬

‭The‬ ‭seller‬ ‭holds‬ ‭few‬ ‭rights‬ ‭where‬ ‭remedies‬ ‭will‬ ‭be‬ ‭given‬ ‭to‬ ‭them‬ ‭in‬ ‭some‬ ‭situations.‬
‭Some‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭remedies‬ ‭are‬ ‭rights‬ ‭of‬ ‭unpaid‬ ‭sellers‬ ‭where‬ ‭under‬‭Sales‬‭of‬‭Goods‬‭Act‬‭1957,‬‭non-‬
‭payment‬ ‭by‬ ‭the‬ ‭buyer‬ ‭gives‬ ‭the‬ ‭seller‬ ‭right‬ ‭to‬ ‭certain‬ ‭remedies,‬ ‭provided‬ ‭the‬ ‭seller‬ ‭retains‬
‭possession‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭goods‬ ‭and‬ ‭the‬‭buyer‬‭holds‬‭title‬‭to‬‭them‬‭but‬‭has‬‭not‬‭yet‬‭paid.‬‭In‬‭this‬‭case,‬‭the‬
‭seller‬‭can‬‭exercise‬‭a‬‭lien‬‭on‬‭the‬‭goods‬‭or‬‭exercise‬‭the‬‭right‬‭of‬‭stopping‬‭the‬‭goods‬‭in‬‭transit‬‭where‬
‭they‬‭can‬‭halt‬‭their‬‭shipment‬‭if‬‭the‬‭buyer‬‭becomes‬‭insolvent‬‭according‬‭to‬‭Section‬‭46‬‭15‬‭.‬‭Therefore,‬
‭the‬‭seller‬‭has‬‭specific‬‭rights‬‭and‬‭remedies‬‭in‬‭the‬‭event‬‭of‬‭the‬‭buyer’s‬‭failure‬‭to‬‭accept‬‭delivery‬‭or‬
‭pay‬ ‭for‬ ‭goods.‬ ‭Section‬ ‭44‬‭16‬ ‭provides‬ ‭that‬ ‭if‬‭the‬‭seller‬‭is‬‭ready‬‭and‬‭willing‬‭to‬‭deliver‬‭the‬‭goods‬
‭and‬‭request‬‭the‬‭buyer‬‭to‬‭take‬‭delivery,‬‭but‬‭the‬‭buyer‬‭refuses‬‭or‬‭neglects‬‭to‬‭so‬‭within‬‭reasonable‬
‭time,‬ ‭the‬ ‭buyer‬ ‭liable‬ ‭for‬ ‭any‬ ‭loss‬ ‭incurred‬ ‭by‬ ‭the‬ ‭seller‬ ‭due‬ ‭to‬ ‭this‬ ‭refusal,‬ ‭as‬ ‭well‬ ‭as‬ ‭any‬
‭reasonable‬ ‭charges‬ ‭for‬ ‭the‬ ‭care‬ ‭and‬ ‭custody‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭goods.‬ ‭In‬ ‭such‬ ‭cases,‬ ‭the‬ ‭seller‬ ‭may‬ ‭claim‬
‭damages‬ ‭for‬ ‭any‬ ‭losses‬ ‭arising‬ ‭from‬ ‭the‬ ‭buyer’s‬ ‭refusal‬ ‭to‬‭take‬‭delivery.‬‭Additionally,‬‭Section‬
‭56‬‭17‬‭,‬ ‭provides‬ ‭the‬ ‭seller‬ ‭with‬ ‭the‬ ‭right‬ ‭to‬ ‭sue‬ ‭the‬ ‭buyer‬ ‭for‬ ‭damages‬ ‭if‬ ‭the‬ ‭buyer‬ ‭wrongfully‬
‭neglects or refuses to accept and pay for the goods.‬

‭While‬ ‭to‬ ‭ensures‬ ‭that‬ ‭the‬ ‭seller‬ ‭is‬ ‭compensated‬ ‭for‬ ‭the‬ ‭buyer’s‬ ‭failure‬ ‭to‬ ‭fulfill‬ ‭their‬
‭obligations‬ ‭under‬ ‭the‬ ‭contract‬ ‭in‬ ‭cases‬ ‭where‬ ‭there‬ ‭are‬ ‭breach‬ ‭of‬ ‭contract,‬ ‭Section‬ ‭74‬‭18‬ ‭of‬
‭Contracts‬ ‭Act‬ ‭entitles‬ ‭the‬ ‭seller‬ ‭to‬ ‭compensation‬ ‭for‬ ‭any‬ ‭loss‬ ‭or‬ ‭damage‬‭caused‬‭by‬‭the‬‭breach‬
‭including‬ ‭losses‬ ‭that‬ ‭naturally‬ ‭result‬ ‭from‬‭the‬‭breach‬‭or‬‭were‬‭foreseeable‬‭by‬‭both‬‭parties‬‭at‬‭the‬
‭time‬ ‭the‬ ‭contract‬ ‭was‬ ‭made.‬ ‭This‬ ‭includes‬ ‭financial‬ ‭damage‬ ‭caused‬ ‭by‬ ‭the‬ ‭seller’s‬‭inability‬‭to‬
‭resell‬ ‭the‬ ‭goods‬ ‭elsewhere.‬ ‭In‬ ‭assessing‬ ‭the‬ ‭damages,‬ ‭courts‬ ‭have‬ ‭considered‬ ‭the‬‭market‬‭price‬
‭differential,‬ ‭as‬ ‭seen‬ ‭in‬ ‭the‬ ‭case‬ ‭of‬ ‭Scandinavian‬ ‭Bunkering‬ ‭(Singapore)‬ ‭Pte‬ ‭Ltd‬ ‭v‬ ‭MISC‬
‭Berhad‬‭19‬‭,‬‭where‬‭the‬‭damages‬‭were‬‭calculated‬‭based‬‭on‬‭the‬‭difference‬‭between‬‭the‬‭contract‬‭price‬
‭and‬ ‭the‬ ‭market‬ ‭price‬ ‭at‬ ‭the‬ ‭time‬ ‭of‬ ‭breach.‬ ‭Similarly,‬ ‭in‬ ‭the‬ ‭case‬ ‭of‬ ‭Autokit‬ ‭Design‬
‭Technologies‬ ‭(M)‬ ‭Sdn‬ ‭Bhd‬ ‭v‬ ‭Hyundai-Sime‬ ‭Darby‬ ‭Motors‬ ‭Sdn‬ ‭Bhd‬‭20‬ ‭The‬ ‭court‬ ‭applied‬

‭15‬
‭ ection 46 of Sales of Goods Act 1957‬
S
‭16‬
‭Section 44 of Sales of Goods Act 1957‬
‭17‬
‭Section 56 of Sales of Goods Act 1957‬
‭18‬
‭Section 74 of Contracts Act 1950‬
‭19‬
‭[2011] MLJU 1261‬
‭20‬
‭[2023] MLJU 1273‬

‭6‬
‭Section‬‭44‬‭and‬‭56‬‭of‬‭the‬‭Sales‬‭of‬‭Goods‬‭Act‬‭to‬‭determine‬‭the‬‭damages‬‭resulting‬‭from‬‭the‬‭buyer’s‬
‭refusal‬ ‭to‬‭take‬‭delivery‬‭and‬‭pay‬‭for‬‭the‬‭goods.‬‭Thus,‬‭the‬‭seller‬‭can‬‭claim‬‭damages‬‭based‬‭on‬‭the‬
‭difference between the agreed contract price and the market price at the time of the breach.‬

‭Section‬‭47‬‭21‬ ‭of‬‭the‬‭Act‬‭grants‬‭an‬‭unpaid‬‭seller‬‭the‬‭right‬‭to‬‭retain‬‭possession‬‭of‬‭the‬‭goods‬
‭until‬ ‭payment‬ ‭or‬ ‭tender‬ ‭of‬‭the‬‭price‬‭under‬‭certain‬‭conditions,‬‭this‬‭right‬‭applies‬‭when‬‭the‬‭goods‬
‭were‬ ‭sold‬ ‭without‬ ‭any‬ ‭stipulation‬ ‭for‬ ‭credit,‬ ‭when‬ ‭the‬‭goods‬‭were‬‭sold‬‭on‬‭credit‬‭but‬‭the‬‭credit‬
‭term‬ ‭has‬ ‭expired,‬ ‭or‬ ‭when‬‭the‬‭buyer‬‭becomes‬‭insolvent.‬‭The‬‭provision‬‭further‬‭clarifies‬‭that‬‭the‬
‭seller‬‭may‬‭exercise‬‭this‬‭right‬‭of‬‭lien‬‭even‬‭if‬‭the‬‭goods‬‭are‬‭in‬‭the‬‭seller’s‬‭possession‬‭as‬‭an‬‭agent‬‭or‬
‭bailee‬‭for‬‭the‬‭buyer,‬‭meaning‬‭the‬‭seller‬‭can‬‭retain‬‭the‬‭goods‬‭even‬‭while‬‭holding‬‭them‬‭on‬‭behalf‬
‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭buyer,‬ ‭as‬ ‭long‬ ‭as‬ ‭the‬ ‭buyer‬ ‭has‬ ‭not‬ ‭paid‬ ‭for‬ ‭them.‬ ‭While‬ ‭in‬ ‭cases‬ ‭where‬ ‭the‬ ‭buyer‬ ‭is‬
‭insolvent,‬ ‭Section‬ ‭50‬‭22‬ ‭gives‬ ‭the‬ ‭seller‬ ‭the‬ ‭right‬ ‭to‬ ‭stop‬ ‭the‬ ‭goods‬‭in‬‭transit,‬‭regain‬‭possession‬
‭and‬ ‭retain‬ ‭them‬ ‭until‬ ‭payment‬ ‭is‬ ‭made.‬ ‭Goods‬ ‭in‬ ‭transit‬ ‭are‬ ‭defined‬‭as‬‭those‬‭in‬‭the‬‭process‬‭of‬
‭being‬ ‭delivered‬ ‭to‬ ‭the‬ ‭buyer‬ ‭but‬ ‭not‬ ‭yet‬ ‭accepted.‬ ‭The‬ ‭seller‬ ‭can‬ ‭exercise‬ ‭this‬ ‭right‬ ‭by‬ ‭taking‬
‭physical‬ ‭possession‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭goods‬ ‭or‬ ‭by‬ ‭notifying‬ ‭the‬ ‭carrier,‬ ‭who‬ ‭must‬ ‭return‬‭the‬‭goods‬‭at‬‭the‬
‭seller’s‬‭expense‬‭23‬‭.‬‭Additionally,‬‭under‬‭Section‬‭54‬‭24‬‭,‬‭an‬‭unpaid‬‭seller‬‭who‬‭has‬‭exercised‬‭a‬‭lien‬‭or‬
‭stoppage‬‭in‬‭transit‬‭has‬‭the‬‭authority‬‭to‬‭resell‬‭the‬‭goods,‬‭transferring‬‭good‬‭title‬‭to‬‭the‬‭new‬‭buyer,‬
‭and‬ ‭can‬ ‭claim‬ ‭damages‬ ‭from‬ ‭the‬ ‭original‬ ‭buyer‬ ‭for‬ ‭breach‬ ‭of‬ ‭contract.‬ ‭The‬ ‭right‬ ‭of‬ ‭resale‬ ‭is‬
‭applicable‬‭if‬‭expressly‬‭reserved‬‭in‬‭the‬‭contract,‬‭if‬‭the‬‭goods‬‭are‬‭perishable,‬‭or‬‭if‬‭notice‬‭is‬‭given‬‭to‬
‭the buyer and they fail to pay within a reasonable time.‬

‭However,‬‭it‬‭is‬‭to‬‭be‬‭noted‬‭that‬‭a‬‭contract‬‭of‬‭sale‬‭is‬‭not‬‭rescinded‬‭by‬‭the‬‭mere‬‭exercise‬‭by‬
‭an‬ ‭unpaid‬‭seller‬‭of‬‭his‬‭rights‬‭of‬‭lien‬‭or‬‭stoppage‬‭in‬‭transit,‬‭as‬‭stated‬‭in‬‭Section‬‭54(1)‬‭.‬‭Thus,‬‭the‬
‭seller‬‭is‬‭not‬‭allowed‬‭to‬‭resell‬‭the‬‭goods.‬‭Under‬‭the‬‭Sales‬‭of‬‭Goods‬‭Act‬‭1957,‬‭sellers‬‭are‬‭provided‬
‭with‬ ‭several‬ ‭remedies‬ ‭if‬‭a‬‭buyer‬‭fails‬‭to‬‭pay‬‭or‬‭accept‬‭goods.‬‭Some‬‭of‬‭the‬‭provisions‬‭allow‬‭the‬
‭seller‬‭to‬‭claim‬‭damages‬‭and‬‭grants‬‭the‬‭seller‬‭right‬‭to‬‭retain‬‭possession‬‭of‬‭goods‬‭until‬‭payment‬‭is‬
‭made.‬‭Therefore,‬‭these‬‭provisions‬‭protect‬‭the‬‭seller‬‭from‬‭losses‬‭and‬‭ensure‬‭they‬‭can‬‭enforce‬‭their‬
‭rights when the buyer breaches the contract.‬

‭21‬
‭ ection 47 of Sales of Goods Act 1957‬
S
‭22‬
‭Section 50 of Sales of Goods Act 1957‬
‭23‬
‭Section 52 of Sales of Goods Act 1957‬
‭24‬
‭Section 54 of Sales of Goods Act 1957‬

‭7‬
‭2.3 ACCEPTANCE‬

‭The‬ ‭Sales‬‭of‬‭Goods‬‭Act‬‭1958‬‭establishes‬‭acceptance‬‭as‬‭a‬‭crucial‬‭component‬‭in‬‭defining‬
‭the‬ ‭rights‬ ‭and‬ ‭responsibilities‬ ‭of‬ ‭both‬ ‭purchasers‬ ‭and‬ ‭sellers‬ ‭within‬ ‭a‬ ‭contract.‬ ‭Section‬ ‭37(3)‬‭25‬
‭permits‬ ‭the‬ ‭buyer‬ ‭to‬ ‭reject‬ ‭products‬ ‭that‬ ‭fail‬ ‭to‬ ‭conform‬ ‭to‬ ‭the‬‭contract’s‬‭description,‬‭either‬‭in‬
‭part‬‭or‬‭in‬‭full,‬‭depending‬‭upon‬‭the‬‭extent‬‭of‬‭the‬‭non-conformity.‬‭Goods‬‭sold‬‭by‬‭description‬‭must‬
‭strictly‬ ‭align‬ ‭with‬ ‭the‬ ‭contract‬ ‭terms‬ ‭and‬ ‭failure‬ ‭to‬ ‭do‬ ‭so‬ ‭constitutes‬ ‭a‬ ‭breach.‬ ‭However,‬ ‭the‬
‭buyer’s‬ ‭right‬ ‭to‬ ‭reject‬ ‭may‬‭be‬‭waived‬‭if‬‭the‬‭defect‬‭is‬‭minor‬‭or‬‭remediable.‬‭Section‬‭42‬‭26‬ ‭further‬
‭elaborates‬ ‭on‬‭how‬‭acceptance‬‭is‬‭deemed.‬‭Acceptance‬‭occurs‬‭when‬‭the‬‭buyer‬‭explicitly‬‭conveys‬
‭acceptance,‬‭performs‬‭acts‬‭that‬‭assert‬‭ownership‬‭inconsistent‬‭with‬‭the‬‭seller’s‬‭rights,‬‭or‬‭retains‬‭the‬
‭goods beyond a reasonable period without notifying rejection.‬

‭In‬‭the‬‭cases‬‭of‬‭FL‬‭System‬‭Sdn‬‭Bhd‬‭v‬‭PLE‬‭Engineering‬‭&‬‭Construction‬‭Sdn‬‭Bhd‬‭27‬ ‭the‬
‭plaintiff,‬‭a‬‭supplier‬‭of‬‭electrical‬‭goods,‬‭alleged‬‭that‬‭the‬‭Defendant‬‭failed‬‭to‬‭make‬‭full‬‭payment‬‭for‬
‭the‬ ‭goods‬ ‭delivered‬ ‭and‬ ‭accepted.‬ ‭The‬ ‭Defendant‬ ‭claimed‬ ‭it‬ ‭was‬ ‭merely‬ ‭a‬ ‭subcontractor‬ ‭and‬
‭denied‬‭ordering‬‭the‬‭goods‬‭or‬‭having‬‭a‬‭direct‬‭contractual‬‭relationship‬‭with‬‭the‬‭Plaintiff.‬‭However,‬
‭the‬ ‭court‬ ‭found‬ ‭that‬ ‭the‬ ‭Defendant’s‬ ‭conduct,‬ ‭including‬ ‭receiving‬ ‭and‬‭using‬‭the‬‭goods‬‭without‬
‭objection‬‭or‬‭attempts‬‭to‬‭return‬‭them,‬‭was‬‭inconsistent‬‭with‬‭rejection‬‭or‬‭dispute‬‭over‬‭ownership.‬
‭The‬ ‭lack‬ ‭of‬ ‭any‬ ‭complaints‬ ‭or‬ ‭evidence‬ ‭of‬ ‭refusal‬ ‭to‬ ‭accept‬ ‭the‬ ‭goods‬ ‭established‬ ‭that‬ ‭the‬
‭Defendant‬ ‭had‬ ‭effectively‬ ‭accepted‬ ‭the‬ ‭goods.‬ ‭Similarly,‬ ‭in‬ ‭the‬ ‭HQC‬ ‭Engineering‬ ‭Malaysia‬
‭Sdn‬ ‭Bhd‬ ‭v‬ ‭Mac‬ ‭Piping‬ ‭Materials‬ ‭Sdn‬ ‭Bhd‬‭28‬‭,‬ ‭the‬ ‭Plaintiff‬ ‭contended‬ ‭that‬ ‭certain‬ ‭fittings‬
‭delivered‬‭by‬‭the‬‭Defendant‬‭did‬‭not‬‭conform‬‭to‬‭specifications.‬‭Despite‬‭this,‬‭the‬‭Plaintiff‬‭used‬‭the‬
‭fittings‬‭in‬‭its‬‭project‬‭and‬‭made‬‭payment.‬‭They‬‭also‬‭had‬‭endorsed‬‭Mill‬‭Test‬‭Reports‬‭and‬‭raised‬‭no‬
‭immediate‬ ‭rejection.‬ ‭The‬ ‭court‬ ‭held‬ ‭that‬ ‭the‬ ‭Plaintiff’s‬ ‭actions‬ ‭amounted‬ ‭to‬ ‭acceptance‬ ‭under‬
‭Section‬‭42.‬‭This‬‭has‬‭emphasized‬‭that‬‭using‬‭the‬‭goods‬‭and‬‭engaging‬‭in‬‭activities‬‭like‬‭payment‬‭or‬
‭certifications‬ ‭implied‬ ‭acknowledgement‬ ‭of‬‭conformity,‬‭even‬‭if‬‭the‬‭goods‬‭later‬‭proved‬‭defective‬
‭or non-compliant with the agreement.‬

‭25‬
‭Sales of Goods Act 1957‬
‭26‬
‭ ales of Goods Act 1957‬
S
‭27‬
‭[2021] MLJU 2481‬
‭28‬
‭[2023] MLJU 1305‬

‭8‬
‭Section‬ ‭42‬ ‭outlines‬ ‭specific‬ ‭situations‬ ‭in‬ ‭which‬ ‭a‬ ‭buyer‬ ‭is‬ ‭considered‬ ‭to‬ ‭have‬‭accepted‬‭goods,‬
‭thus‬ ‭losing‬ ‭the‬ ‭right‬ ‭to‬ ‭reject‬ ‭them.‬ ‭The‬ ‭second‬ ‭criterion,‬ ‭relating‬ ‭to‬‭acts‬‭inconsistent‬‭with‬‭the‬
‭seller’s‬‭ownership,‬‭has‬‭caused‬‭some‬‭confusion.‬‭This‬‭arises‬‭because‬‭ownership‬‭of‬‭the‬‭goods‬‭often‬
‭transfers‬ ‭to‬ ‭the‬ ‭buyer‬ ‭upon‬ ‭delivery.‬ ‭Once‬ ‭ownership‬ ‭has‬ ‭passed,‬ ‭the‬ ‭notion‬ ‭of‬ ‭acting‬
‭inconsistently‬‭with‬‭the‬‭seller’s‬‭ownership‬‭becomes‬‭unclear.‬‭To‬‭address‬‭this‬‭ambiguity,‬‭it‬‭has‬‭been‬
‭suggested‬ ‭that‬ ‭practical‬ ‭examples‬ ‭of‬‭such‬‭acts‬‭should‬‭be‬‭included‬‭in‬‭the‬‭legislation‬‭to‬‭guide‬‭its‬
‭application.‬‭29‬ ‭The‬ ‭Sales‬ ‭of‬ ‭Goods‬ ‭Act‬ ‭1979‬ ‭in‬ ‭England‬ ‭provides‬ ‭a‬ ‭useful‬ ‭framework‬ ‭for‬
‭amending the Malaysian provision, as it elaborates on similar scenarios of deemed acceptance.‬

‭The‬ ‭English‬ ‭Act‬ ‭clarifies‬ ‭that‬ ‭a‬ ‭buyer‬ ‭is‬ ‭deemed‬ ‭to‬ ‭accept‬ ‭goods‬ ‭if‬ ‭they‬ ‭explicitly‬
‭indicate‬ ‭acceptance,‬ ‭act‬ ‭in‬ ‭a‬ ‭way‬ ‭inconsistent‬ ‭with‬ ‭the‬ ‭seller's‬ ‭ownership,‬ ‭or‬ ‭retain‬ ‭the‬ ‭goods‬
‭beyond‬ ‭a‬ ‭reasonable‬ ‭time‬ ‭without‬ ‭rejection.‬ ‭However,‬ ‭the‬ ‭Act‬ ‭also‬ ‭introduces‬ ‭safeguards‬ ‭for‬
‭buyers.‬ ‭For‬ ‭instance,‬ ‭a‬ ‭buyer‬ ‭is‬ ‭not‬ ‭deemed‬ ‭to‬ ‭accept‬ ‭goods‬ ‭if‬‭they‬‭have‬‭not‬‭had‬‭a‬‭reasonable‬
‭opportunity‬‭to‬‭inspect‬‭them‬‭to‬‭ensure‬‭they‬‭meet‬‭contractual‬‭terms.‬‭This‬‭is‬‭particularly‬‭relevant‬‭in‬
‭contracts‬ ‭involving‬‭bulk‬‭samples,‬‭where‬‭conformity‬‭must‬‭be‬‭compared.‬‭Additionally,‬‭consumer‬
‭protection‬ ‭provisions‬ ‭prevent‬ ‭buyers‬ ‭from‬ ‭losing‬ ‭their‬ ‭right‬ ‭to‬ ‭reject‬ ‭through‬ ‭waivers‬ ‭or‬
‭agreements‬ ‭in‬ ‭consumer‬ ‭contracts.‬ ‭A‬ ‭reasonable‬‭length‬‭of‬‭time‬‭is‬‭an‬‭important‬‭part‬‭of‬‭figuring‬
‭out‬‭if‬‭acceptance‬‭has‬‭happened.‬‭Factors‬‭such‬‭as‬‭whether‬‭the‬‭buyer‬‭had‬‭sufficient‬‭opportunity‬‭to‬
‭inspect‬ ‭the‬ ‭goods‬‭are‬‭considered.‬‭Importantly,‬‭requesting‬‭repairs‬‭or‬‭delivering‬‭goods‬‭to‬‭another‬
‭party‬ ‭under‬ ‭a‬ ‭sub-sale‬ ‭does‬ ‭not‬ ‭necessarily‬ ‭constitute‬ ‭acceptance.‬ ‭For‬ ‭commercial‬ ‭units,‬
‭acceptance‬ ‭of‬ ‭a‬ ‭portion‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭goods‬ ‭can‬ ‭imply‬ ‭acceptance‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬ ‭entire‬ ‭unit,‬ ‭particularly‬ ‭if‬
‭dividing the unit would diminish its value or integrity.‬

‭The‬ ‭ambiguity‬ ‭surrounding‬ ‭"acts‬ ‭inconsistent‬ ‭with‬ ‭the‬ ‭seller’s‬ ‭ownership"‬ ‭persists,‬
‭especially‬ ‭in‬ ‭cases‬ ‭where‬ ‭ownership‬ ‭has‬ ‭already‬ ‭transferred‬ ‭to‬ ‭the‬ ‭buyer‬ ‭upon‬ ‭delivery.‬ ‭This‬
‭creates‬‭a‬‭theoretical‬‭challenge,‬‭as‬‭the‬‭buyer’s‬‭rights‬‭and‬‭obligations‬‭are‬‭already‬‭defined‬‭by‬‭their‬
‭ownership.‬ ‭Addressing‬ ‭these‬ ‭gaps‬ ‭through‬ ‭amendments‬ ‭and‬ ‭adopting‬ ‭clear‬ ‭examples‬ ‭from‬
‭comparative‬ ‭legislation‬ ‭would‬ ‭enhance‬ ‭clarity‬ ‭and‬ ‭practical‬ ‭application‬ ‭of‬ ‭Section‬ ‭42‬ ‭in‬ ‭the‬
‭Malaysian context.‬

‭29‬
‭Yusoff et al., 2015. Consumer Protection and the Malaysian Sale of Goods Act 1957.‬

‭9‬
‭2.4 BUYER’S RIGHTS‬

‭Under‬‭Section‬‭12(2)‬‭30‬‭,‬‭a‬‭condition‬‭is‬‭deemed‬‭essential‬‭to‬‭the‬‭contract's‬‭primary‬‭purpose,‬
‭and‬ ‭its‬ ‭breach‬ ‭allows‬ ‭the‬ ‭buyer‬ ‭to‬ ‭repudiate‬ ‭the‬ ‭contract.‬ ‭This‬ ‭stipulation‬ ‭is‬ ‭closely‬ ‭related‬ ‭to‬
‭Section‬‭15‬‭31‬‭,‬‭which‬‭emphasizes‬‭that‬‭goods‬‭sold‬‭by‬‭description‬‭or‬‭by‬‭both‬‭sample‬‭and‬‭description‬
‭must‬‭correspond‬‭with‬‭these‬‭criteria.‬‭If‬‭the‬‭goods‬‭fail‬‭to‬‭conform,‬‭the‬‭buyer‬‭can‬‭initially‬‭treat‬‭the‬
‭breach‬ ‭as‬ ‭a‬ ‭condition.‬ ‭However,‬ ‭Section‬ ‭13(2)‬‭32‬ ‭modifies‬ ‭this‬ ‭principle‬ ‭when‬ ‭the‬ ‭buyer‬ ‭has‬
‭accepted‬‭the‬‭goods,‬‭or‬‭the‬‭contract‬‭is‬‭non-severable.‬‭In‬‭such‬‭instances,‬‭any‬‭breach‬‭of‬‭condition‬‭is‬
‭downgraded‬‭to‬‭a‬‭breach‬‭of‬‭warranty‬‭unless‬‭explicitly‬‭stated‬‭otherwise‬‭in‬‭the‬‭contract.‬‭A‬‭warranty‬
‭breach‬ ‭limits‬ ‭the‬ ‭buyer’s‬ ‭remedies,‬ ‭as‬ ‭outlined‬ ‭in‬ ‭Section‬ ‭59(1)‬‭33‬‭,‬ ‭which‬ ‭entitles‬ ‭the‬ ‭buyer‬ ‭to‬
‭either‬ ‭reduce‬ ‭or‬ ‭extinguish‬ ‭the‬ ‭price‬ ‭or‬ ‭sue‬ ‭for‬ ‭damages‬ ‭but‬ ‭does‬ ‭not‬ ‭permit‬ ‭rejection‬ ‭of‬ ‭the‬
‭goods.‬‭This‬‭distinction‬‭ensures‬‭that‬‭the‬‭buyer's‬‭acceptance‬‭of‬‭goods‬‭alters‬‭the‬‭legal‬‭consequences‬
‭of a seller's non-performance.‬

‭The‬ ‭significance‬ ‭of‬ ‭Sections‬ ‭41(1)‬ ‭and‬ ‭Section‬ ‭42‬ ‭lies‬ ‭in‬ ‭defining‬ ‭when‬ ‭goods‬ ‭are‬
‭deemed‬ ‭accepted.‬ ‭Section‬ ‭41(1)‬‭34‬ ‭provides‬ ‭buyers‬ ‭the‬ ‭right‬ ‭to‬ ‭inspect‬ ‭goods‬ ‭upon‬ ‭delivery‬ ‭to‬
‭confirm‬ ‭their‬ ‭conformity‬ ‭with‬ ‭the‬ ‭contract‬ ‭before‬ ‭being‬ ‭considered‬ ‭as‬ ‭having‬ ‭accepted‬ ‭them.‬
‭Conversely,‬ ‭Section‬ ‭42‬‭35‬ ‭states‬ ‭that‬ ‭acceptance‬ ‭occurs‬ ‭when‬ ‭the‬ ‭buyer‬ ‭explicitly‬ ‭or‬ ‭implicitly‬
‭indicates‬‭acceptance,‬‭performs‬‭acts‬‭inconsistent‬‭with‬‭the‬‭seller's‬‭ownership,‬‭or‬‭retains‬‭the‬‭goods‬
‭beyond‬‭a‬‭reasonable‬‭period‬‭without‬‭notifying‬‭rejection.‬‭However,‬‭the‬‭inadequacies‬‭of‬‭the‬‭Act‬‭in‬
‭protecting‬ ‭consumer‬ ‭rights‬ ‭are‬ ‭evident‬ ‭in‬ ‭Section‬ ‭13(2)‬‭.‬ ‭This‬ ‭provision‬ ‭states‬ ‭that‬ ‭when‬ ‭the‬
‭contract‬ ‭involves‬ ‭specific‬ ‭goods‬ ‭and‬ ‭ownership‬ ‭has‬ ‭passed‬ ‭to‬ ‭the‬ ‭buyer,‬ ‭a‬ ‭breach‬ ‭of‬ ‭any‬
‭condition‬‭by‬‭the‬‭seller‬‭is‬‭reduced‬‭to‬‭a‬‭breach‬‭of‬‭warranty.‬‭As‬‭a‬‭result,‬‭the‬‭buyer‬‭loses‬‭the‬‭right‬‭to‬
‭reject‬ ‭the‬ ‭goods‬ ‭and‬ ‭terminate‬ ‭the‬ ‭contract.‬ ‭The‬ ‭implications‬ ‭of‬ ‭Section‬ ‭13(2)‬ ‭are‬ ‭significant.‬
‭Once‬‭the‬‭property‬‭in‬‭the‬‭goods‬‭passes‬‭to‬‭the‬‭buyer,‬‭typically‬‭under‬‭Section‬‭20‬‭36‬‭,‬‭which‬‭dictates‬
‭that‬‭ownership‬‭transfers‬‭when‬‭the‬‭contract‬‭is‬‭made,‬‭the‬‭buyer’s‬‭rights‬‭are‬‭restricted.‬‭Even‬‭if‬‭the‬
‭buyer‬ ‭has‬ ‭not‬ ‭had‬‭the‬‭opportunity‬‭to‬‭inspect‬‭or‬‭use‬‭the‬‭goods‬‭to‬‭identify‬‭potential‬‭defects,‬‭they‬
‭30‬
‭ ales of Goods Act 1957‬
S
‭31‬
‭Sales of Goods Act 1957‬
‭32‬
‭Sales of Goods Act 1957‬
‭33‬
‭Sales of Goods Act 1957‬
‭34‬
‭Sales of Goods Act 1957‬
‭35‬
‭Sales of Goods Act 1957‬
‭36‬
‭Sales of Goods Act 1957‬

‭10‬
‭are‬ ‭precluded‬ ‭from‬ ‭rejecting‬ ‭them.‬ ‭This‬ ‭framework‬ ‭can‬ ‭lead‬‭to‬‭unjust‬‭outcomes,‬‭as‬‭buyers‬‭are‬
‭compelled‬‭to‬‭accept‬‭goods‬‭without‬‭a‬‭chance‬‭to‬‭ascertain‬‭their‬‭compliance‬‭with‬‭contractual‬‭terms.‬
‭A‬‭notable‬‭contrast‬‭exists‬‭with‬‭the‬‭English‬‭Sale‬‭of‬‭Goods‬‭Act‬‭1979‬‭,‬‭where‬‭such‬‭provisions‬‭have‬
‭been‬ ‭removed‬‭37‬‭.‬ ‭The‬ ‭absence‬ ‭of‬ ‭a‬ ‭similar‬ ‭rule‬ ‭in‬ ‭the‬ ‭English‬ ‭Act‬ ‭provides‬ ‭greater‬ ‭consumer‬
‭protection‬ ‭by‬ ‭ensuring‬ ‭buyers‬ ‭retain‬ ‭their‬ ‭right‬ ‭to‬ ‭reject‬ ‭non-conforming‬ ‭goods‬ ‭despite‬ ‭the‬
‭passage of property.‬

‭The‬ ‭case‬ ‭of‬ ‭Clariant‬ ‭Masterbatches‬ ‭(M)‬ ‭Sdn‬ ‭Bhd‬ ‭v‬ ‭Prestige‬ ‭Dynamics‬ ‭Industries‬
‭Sdn‬ ‭Bhd‬‭38‬ ‭exemplifies‬ ‭the‬ ‭application‬ ‭of‬ ‭these‬ ‭provisions.‬‭Prestige,‬‭the‬‭buyer,‬‭specified‬‭in‬‭the‬
‭purchase‬‭order‬‭that‬‭the‬‭goods,‬‭a‬‭colorant,‬‭must‬‭be‬‭free‬‭of‬‭hazardous‬‭substances.‬‭This‬‭constituted‬
‭a‬‭sale‬‭by‬‭description‬‭under‬‭Section‬‭15.‬‭The‬‭seller,‬‭Clariant,‬‭breached‬‭this‬‭condition‬‭by‬‭delivering‬
‭goods‬ ‭that‬ ‭did‬ ‭not‬ ‭meet‬ ‭the‬ ‭criteria.‬ ‭Despite‬ ‭the‬ ‭breach,‬ ‭Prestige‬ ‭accepted‬ ‭the‬ ‭goods,‬ ‭made‬
‭payments,‬ ‭and‬ ‭failed‬ ‭to‬ ‭test‬ ‭their‬ ‭conformity.‬ ‭Consequently,‬ ‭the‬ ‭court‬ ‭ruled‬ ‭that‬‭under‬‭Section‬
‭13(2),‬ ‭the‬ ‭breach‬ ‭of‬ ‭condition‬ ‭had‬ ‭to‬ ‭be‬ ‭treated‬ ‭as‬ ‭a‬ ‭breach‬ ‭of‬ ‭warranty.‬ ‭As‬ ‭per‬ ‭Section‬ ‭59,‬
‭Prestige‬ ‭retained‬ ‭the‬ ‭right‬ ‭to‬ ‭sue‬ ‭for‬ ‭damages‬ ‭but‬‭could‬‭not‬‭reject‬‭the‬‭goods.‬‭While‬‭conditions‬
‭address‬ ‭significant‬ ‭contract‬ ‭breaches‬ ‭enabling‬ ‭repudiation,‬ ‭their‬ ‭treatment‬ ‭as‬ ‭warranties‬ ‭after‬
‭acceptance‬ ‭underscores‬ ‭the‬ ‭importance‬ ‭of‬ ‭a‬ ‭buyer's‬ ‭diligence‬ ‭in‬ ‭inspecting‬ ‭and‬ ‭addressing‬
‭non-conformance promptly.‬

‭There‬‭is‬‭a‬‭set‬‭way‬‭to‬‭handle‬‭conditions‬‭and‬‭guarantees‬‭in‬‭sales‬‭contracts‬‭that‬‭is‬‭based‬‭on‬
‭the‬‭Sale‬‭of‬‭Goods‬‭Act‬‭of‬‭1957.‬‭It‬‭stresses‬‭how‬‭important‬‭it‬‭is‬‭to‬‭follow‬‭the‬‭rules‬‭of‬‭the‬‭contract.‬
‭The‬ ‭buyer‬ ‭can‬ ‭only‬ ‭get‬ ‭adjustments‬ ‭to‬ ‭prices‬ ‭or‬ ‭damages,‬ ‭as‬ ‭shown‬ ‭in‬ ‭Section‬ ‭13(2).‬ ‭This‬ ‭is‬
‭because‬‭the‬‭condition‬‭turns‬‭into‬‭a‬‭warranty‬‭when‬‭the‬‭customer‬‭takes‬‭possession‬‭of‬‭the‬‭goods‬‭or‬
‭accepts‬ ‭them.‬ ‭For‬ ‭buyers,‬ ‭this‬‭framework‬‭may‬‭be‬‭unpleasant‬‭because‬‭it‬‭makes‬‭it‬‭harder‬‭to‬‭turn‬
‭down‬ ‭things‬ ‭that‬ ‭fail‬ ‭to‬ ‭meet‬ ‭the‬ ‭standards.‬ ‭This‬ ‭framework‬ ‭makes‬ ‭sure‬ ‭that‬ ‭deals‬ ‭are‬
‭predictable.‬‭Finding‬‭similarities‬‭between‬‭Malaysian‬‭law‬‭and‬‭the‬‭English‬‭Sale‬‭of‬‭Goods‬‭Act‬‭1979‬
‭shows‬‭that‬‭Malaysian‬‭law‬‭needs‬‭to‬‭have‬‭much‬‭better‬‭customer‬‭protections‬‭in‬‭order‬‭to‬‭resolve‬‭the‬
‭problems with the current laws.‬

‭37‬
‭Masum et al., 2015. Consumer Protection for Sale‬‭of Goods.‬
‭38‬
[‭ 2019] 3 MLJ‬

‭11‬
‭3.0 CONCLUSION‬

‭The Sale of Goods Act 1957 defines a comprehensive framework regulating the rights‬
‭and obligations of purchasers and sellers in a sales contract. Transferring the goods from the‬
‭seller to the buyer is an important part of this relationship. It is the buyer's job to accept the‬
‭goods and pay according to the terms that were agreed upon. The provisions ensure that both‬
‭parties fulfill their contractual obligations, with remedies available for breaches to safeguard‬
‭their interests.‬

‭Seller rights to maintain possession or halt goods in transit are balanced against buyer‬
‭rights to inspect, accept, or reject non-conforming items. In spite of the fact that acceptance‬
‭renders a buyer legally accountable, the Act acknowledges the fact that this process can be‬
‭exceptionally problematic by giving provisions for dealing with issues such as faults, delays, or‬
‭changes in the amount that was requested. Although it is functional, there are some aspects of it‬
‭that are not clear. As an illustration, the concept of acceptance and the interpretation of Section‬
‭13(2) demonstrate that laws need to be clarified in order to better protect purchasers, particularly‬
‭with regard to consumers.‬

‭Ultimately, the Sale of Goods Act 1957 is a significant component of commercial law as‬
‭it ensures uniform rights for all parties engaged in business transactions. It ensures that both‬
‭parties are accountable for their respective obligations under an agreement and safeguards their‬
‭legal rights and interests. The Act promotes equitable and transparent business conduct, which is‬
‭essential for economic development and stability. It accomplishes this by resolving potential‬
‭conflicts and establishing trust. Its flexible framework ensures compliance with regulations while‬
‭facilitating harmonious commercial interactions, benefiting all parties involved. This is because‬
‭honesty and responsibility in selling things are good for everyone.‬

‭12‬
‭Bibliography‬

‭Atiyah, P. S., John Adams, and Hector L. MacQueen.‬‭The Sale of Goods‬‭. 10th ed. Oxford:‬

‭Oxford University Press, 2001.‬

‭Bridge, Michael G.‬‭The Sale of Goods‬‭. Oxford: Oxford‬‭University Press, 1998.‬

‭Detta, Lee Mie Pheng . Ivan Jeron. 2011. Commercial Law: Oxford Fajar sdn. Bhd.‬

‭Pearson/Longman‬

‭Masum, Ahmad, Nuarrual Hilal Md Dahlan, Seeni Mohamed Nafees, and Hla Win Kyaw.‬

‭"Consumer Protection for Sale of Goods: A Malaysian Perspective."‬‭Journal of‬

‭Consumer Protection‬‭20, no. 3 (2015): 203-212.‬

‭Saleh, Marwah. "The Seller’s Obligation to Deliver the Goods under a "Contract of Sale of‬

‭Goods."‬‭https://etd.uum.edu.my/4208/1/s813180.pdf‬‭.‬

‭Sale of Goods Act 1957. International Business Management” (2015): 452-459.‬

‭https://docsdrive.com/?pdf=medwelljournals/ibm/2015/452-459.pdf‬

‭Sales of Goods Act 1957‬‭. Malaysia: Government of Malaysia,‬‭1957.‬

‭Yusoff, Ahmad, Rahmah Ismail, Ruzian Markom, and Zuryani Mohd. 2015. “Consumer‬

‭Protection and the Malaysian Sale of Goods Act 1957.” International Business‬

‭Management 9 (4): 452–59.‬‭https://doi.org/10.3923/ibm.2015.452.459‬‭.‬

‭13‬

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