Malaysia legislation
Section 4
Section 4
(a)
has attained the age of twenty-five and is at least twenty one years older than the child in respect of whom the application is made unless the Court is satisfied that there are special circumstances for the making of an order;
(b)
has attained the age of twenty-one and is a relative of the child; or
(c)
is the mother or father of the child.
8 Laws of Malaysia ACT 257
(2)
An adoption order shall not be made in any case where the sole applicant is a male and the child in respect of whom the application is made is a female unless the Court is satisfied that there are special circumstances which justify as an exceptional measure the making of an order.
(3)
An adoption order shall not be made in favour of any applicant who is not ordinarily resident in Peninsular Malaysia or in respect of any child who is not so resident.
(4)
An adoption order shall not be made in respect of any child unless—
(a)
the child has been continuously in the care and possession of the applicant for at least three consecutive months immediately preceding the date of the order; and
(b)
the applicant has at least three months before the date of the order by a written notification informed an officer of the
Social Welfare Department of the State in which he is for the time being resident of his intention to apply for an adoption order in respect of the child.
Consents to adoptions