Disabilities of bankrupt
401.—(1)  Where a bankrupt has not obtained his or her discharge —
(a)unless the bankrupt has obtained the previous sanction of the Official Assignee, the bankrupt is incompetent to commence, continue or defend —
(i)any action other than —
(A)an action for damages in respect of any injury to the bankrupt’s person; or
(B)a matrimonial proceeding; or
(ii)any appeal arising from any action referred to in sub‑paragraph (i); and
(b)the bankrupt must not leave, or remain or reside outside, Singapore without the previous permission of the Official Assignee.
(2)  Despite subsection (1)(a), the bankrupt must notify the Official Assignee of any proceedings mentioned in subsection (1)(a)(i)(A) or (B), or any appeal arising from any such proceedings, not later than 3 days before commencing, continuing or defending the proceedings or appeal, as the case may be.
(3)  A bankrupt who fails to comply with this section shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both.
(4)  In this section —
“action” and “proceedings” include arbitration ;
“matrimonial proceeding” means —
(a)a proceeding under Part VIII, IX or X of the Women’s Charter; or
(b)a proceeding mentioned in section 35(2)(a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) or 35A of the Administration of Muslim Law Act (Cap. 3).