Nonsense! You only pay stamp duty when the valuation come back from govt.

I think you had better switch lawyer, if you want better lawyer, PM me.

this is correct. the lawyer should be using the STAMPS system, meaning electronic assessment, before you pay any money to anyone. the lawyer is telling you nonsense.

http://www.hasil.gov.my/goindex.php?kump=2...1&unit=7&sequ=1

If it is the adjudicated sum by the stamp office, yes. Wait for them to revert with the adjudicated sum first. Usually they will take about 5 days upon submission for adjudication process.

You must understand that the rebate is not automatic. You have to apply for it together when your MOT/DOA is submitted for adjudication. Once LHDN is satisfied that you fulfil the requirements, they will state the stamp duty payable and that sum will be 50% of the stamp duty payable under normal circumstances. There have been cases where applications have been rejected.

Now, two scenarios:

1) If the vendor's property is still encumbered.

Then the financier's solicitors will request for confirmation from your SPA lawyer whether you have deposited the estimated stamp duty payable with the SPA lawyer before first drawdown to redeem the vendor's loan can be issued. As such, you need to deposit it much earlier in your SPA lawyer's client account.

A prudent lawyer would collect in full, as there's no guarantee that the application for rebate has been approved.
2) if the vendor's property is not encumbered.

Then there is no need for the confirmation as the MOT/DOA can be directly sent to LHDN for adjudication. Once again, A prudent lawyer would collect in full, as there's no guarantee that the application for rebate has been approved.

If only 50% is collected and if the application is rejected, things would be at a standstill until the purchaser coughs up the balance 50% payable. A prudent lawyer can skip the hassle of that and merely pay up in full what has been collected from the client.

Having said so, there are lawyers who just collect 50% stamp duty from the client. It's just that your lawyer doesn't operate that way.

In a nutshell, do not have any adverse conclusion against your lawyer. He is just being prudent by demanding for the full sum to be deposited with him as stakeholder. It's not like he can play with the money. If the application for rebate has been approved, the lawyer can refund the money to you, and all will be ok,

Original documents would refer to the original SPA between vendor and developer (or previous owner), original loan agreement, original deed of assignment (and all previous ones, if any), original power of attorney, original title and charge (if there's individual title).
Whether you can request for keys is up to the vendor, or depending on what is stated in your SPA. 

No, what I meant was it is the vendor who decides if you can get the keys early. Of course you would still need to go through your lawyer to ask the vendor or the vendor's lawyer as one should always go through the proper channels.