Back to Top

Print this page

Issue #37/2017 14 September 2017

New This Week Case(s) of the Week TUN DR MAHATHIR MOHAMAD & ORS v. DATUK SERI MOHD NAJIB TUN HJ ABDUL RAZAK (NO 2) [2017] 8 CLJ 350 Latest Cases Legal Network Series CLJ 2017 Volume 8 (Part 3) Articles LNS Article(s) Legislation Highlights Principal Acts Amending Acts PU(A) PU(B) Legislation Alert

TUN DR MAHATHIR MOHAMAD & ORS v.
DATUK SERI MOHD NAJIB TUN HJ ABDUL RAZAK (NO 2) [2017] 8 CLJ 350
HIGH COURT MALAYA, KUALA LUMPUR
ABU BAKAR JAIS J
[SUIT NO: WA22NCVC-181-03-2016]
28 APRIL 2017

CIVIL PROCEDURE: Pleadings – Striking out – Statement of claim – Declaratory relief – Allegations of financial improprieties against Prime Minister – Misfeasance and breach of fiduciaries in public office – Failure to prove Prime Minister a 'public officer' holding 'public office' – Whether fatal – Whether action frivolous and vexatious and abuse of court process – Whether ought to be struck out – Rules of Court 2012 O. 18 r. 19(1)(a), (b), (c) & (d)

TORT: Misfeasance in public office – Breach of fiduciaries in public office – Ingredients and proof – Tortuous allegations made against Prime Minister – Whether Prime Minister a 'public officer' holding 'public office' – Constitutional provisions – Whether Prime Minister in 'public service' – Whether 'a member of the administration' – Interpretation Acts 1948 & 1967 s. 3 – Federal Constitution arts. 132, 160

WORDS & PHRASES: 'Public office' – 'Public officer' – Whether Prime Minister is a 'public officer' holding 'public office' – Interpretation Acts 1948 & 1967 ss. 3, 8 – Federal Constitution arts. 132, 160

---

Legal Network Series

[2016] 1 LNS 1300	PP v. CHRISTIAN NWABUNWANNE OKOYE	CRIMINAL LAW: Dangerous drugs - Trafficking - Methamphetamine weighing 1169.4g - Transporting of drugs - Possession - Accused caught red handed - Drugs found in a bag carried by accused upon arrival at airport - Drug hidden in well concealed compartment of bag - Accused was alone at time of arrest - Whether accused had control and custody of bag containing drugs - Whether accused had knowledge of drugs - Whether presumption under s. 37(d) of Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 invoked - Whether there was overwhelming evidence to show accused had possession and knowledge that he was carrying drugs for purpose of trafficking CRIMINAL PROCEDURE: Defence - Denial - Allegation of innocent carrier - Accused denying knowledge of drugs hidden in bag carried by him - Drugs hidden in well concealed compartment of bag - Whether accused was guilty of willful blindness - Whether presumption under s. 37(d) of Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 was rebutted
[2016] 1 LNS 1303	MINDVALLEY LABS SDN BHD v. MESSRS RAO & KAMAL	LEGAL PROFESSION: Bill of costs - Taxation - Contested legal bills - Taxation of invoices issued for alleged legal services rendered - Special circumstances - Invoices for gross sum bills - Final lump sum figure shown to represent costs of all items - Absence of detailed bill of costs - Application for taxation filed after more than a year - Whether court could order taxation when legal fees had been paid by client - Whether limitation set by s. 126 of Legal Profession Act 1976 applicable - Whether limitation will only commence after bill of costs delivered - Whether special circumstances exists to warrant exercise of discretion of court to order invoices to be taxed
[2016] 1 LNS 1722	BINA MEKAR SDN BHD v. DIRECTOR OF IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE FEDERAL TERRITORY KUALA LUMPUR & ORS	CIVIL PROCEDURE: Injunction - Injunction against government and its officers - Whether injunction could be imposed against government and its officers - Government Proceedings Act 1956, s. 29 - Specific Relief Act 1950, s. 54(d) CIVIL PROCEDURE: Injunction - Injunction to restrain beneficiary under performance bond - Injunction to restrain calling and receiving of insurance guarantee for performance bond - Allegation of unconscionable conduct by beneficiary in calling for performance bond - Whether calling of performance bond was within contractual parameter - Whether calling of performance bond was actuated by bad faith - Whether unconscionability needs to be established in strict sense - Whether injunction was warranted - Whether granting of injunction could cause great harm to public CONTRACT: Performance bond - 'On demand' bond - Calling of performance bond - Liability of insurer - Whether there was necessity on part of beneficiary to prove default of contractor in performance of contract - Whether insurer was obliged to investigate validity of demand made by beneficiary - Whether liability of insurer arose upon receipt of demand
[2017] 1 LNS 48	ALUNAN OMBAK SDN BHD lwn. KOPERASI MALWIRA PULAU PINANG BERHAD	PROSEDUR SIVIL: Pindaan - Penghakiman - Permohonan meminda penghakiman terpinda - Tambahan perenggan baru - Penambahan kepada penghakiman berkenaan perkara-perkara yang tidak diplidkan - Sama ada permohonan pindaan adalah sah - Sama ada pindaan yang dicadangkan memprejudiskan defendan - Sama ada mahkamah telah functus officio - Sama ada mahkamah mempunyai kuasa untuk meminda penghakiman dibawah 'slip rule' - Kaedah-Kaedah Mahkamah 2012, A. 20 k. 11
[2017] 1 LNS 49	PLB LAND SDN BHD lwn. NG KEE SENG	UNDANG-UNDANG TANAH: Kaveat - Kaveat persendirian - Pembatalan - Permohonan oleh pemilik berdaftar hartanah - Kaveat dimasukkan oleh pembeli sebuah unit apartment diatas hartanah - Kaveat dimasukkan terhadap keseluruhan hartanah - Sama ada defendan mempunyai kepentingan keatas keseluruhan hartanah - Sama ada kehendak dibawah s. 327(1) Kanun Tanah Negara 1965 telah dipenuhi - Sama ada plaintif adalah pihak yang terkilan - Sama ada kaveat persendirian perlu dikeluarkan

---

CLJ 2017 Volume 8 (Part 3)

FEDERAL COURT

Westech Sdn Bhd v. Thong Weng Lock
Md Raus Sharif PCA, Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin CJ (Malaya), Suriyadi Halim Omar, Balia Yusof Wahi FCJJ, David Wong Dak Wah JCA
(Bankruptcy - Creditor's petition - Filing of - Whether filed out of time) [2017] 8 CLJ 257 [FC]

COURT OF APPEAL

Siti Nur Aishah Ishak v. Golden Plus Holdings Bhd
Rohana Yusuf, Idrus Harun, Mary Lim JJCA
(Civil Procedure; Company Law - Jurisdiction - Courts - Petition to wind up company) [2017] 8 CLJ 272 [CA]

Society Of La Salle Brothers v. Ketua Pengarah Hasil Dalam Negeri
Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, Abdul Rahman Sebli, Zaleha Yusof JJCA
(Civil Procedure; Revenue Law - Income tax - Exempt income - Charitable institution enjoyed exemption status under Income Tax Ordinance 1947) [2017] 8 CLJ 298 [CA]

Zhou Huide v. Yap Kim Tee & Anor
Prasad Sandosham Abraham, Hasnah Mohammed Hashim, Asmabi Mohamad JJCA
(Trusts - Trustees - Co-trustee - Trust for temple) [2017] 8 CLJ 314 [CA]

HIGH COURT

Mohd Rafizi Ramli & Anor v. PP
Zulkifli Bakar J
(Civil Procedure; Banking - Banking and Financial Institutions Act 1989 - Section 87(2) - Investigation) [2017] 8 CLJ 327 [HC]

Sanjif Nair Balakrishnan lwn. Lembaga Pencegahan Jenayah & Yang Lain
Hanipah Farikullah H
(Undang-undang Pentadbiran - Semakan kehakiman - Ketidakpatuhan prosedur) [2017] 8 CLJ 339 [HC]

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad & Ors v. Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Hj Abdul Razak (No 2)
Abu Bakar Jais J
(Civil Procedure; Tort; Words & Phrases - Misfeasance in public office - Breach of fiduciaries in public office - Ingredients and proof) [2017] 8 CLJ 350 [HC]

SUBJECT INDEX

BANKING

Banking and Financial Institutions Act 1989 - Section 87(2) - Investigation - Powers of investigation officer to examine - Right to silence - Whether absolute and applicable to interrogation process
Mohd Rafizi Ramli & Anor v. PP
(Zulkifli Bakar J) [2017] 8 CLJ 327 [HC]

BANKRUPTCY

Creditor's petition - Filing of - Whether filed out of time - Judgment debtor's application for bankruptcy notice ('BN') to be set aside dismissed by Registrar - Whether act of bankruptcy committed upon Registrar's dismissal of application - Whether application heard and determined by Registrar - Whether judgment debtor's appeal against Registrar's decision had effect of suspending or postponing act of bankruptcy - Whether judgment creditor entitled to present creditor's petition after judgment debtor's application to set aside BN dismissed but before appeal disposed of - Whether deferment of act of bankruptcy had taken place - Bankruptcy Rules 1969, r. 95
Westech Sdn Bhd v. Thong Weng Lock
(Md Raus Sharif PCA, Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin CJ (Malaya), Suriyadi Halim Omar, Balia Yusof Wahi FCJJ, David Wong Dak Wah JJCA) [2017] 8 CLJ 257 [FC]

Proceedings - Bankruptcy notice - Setting aside - Judgment debtor's application for bankruptcy notice ('BN') to be set aside dismissed by Registrar - Whether act of bankruptcy committed upon Registrar's dismissal of application - Whether application heard and determined by Registrar - Whether judgment debtor's appeal against Registrar's decision had effect of suspending or postponing act of bankruptcy - Whether judgment creditor entitled to present creditor's petition after judgment debtor's application to set aside BN dismissed but before appeal disposed of - Whether deferment of act of bankruptcy had taken place - Whether creditor's petition filed out of time - Bankruptcy Rules 1969, r. 95
Westech Sdn Bhd v. Thong Weng Lock
(Md Raus Sharif PCA, Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin CJ (Malaya), Suriyadi Halim Omar, Balia Yusof Wahi FCJJ, David Wong Dak Wah JJCA) [2017] 8 CLJ 257 [FC]

CIVIL PROCEDURE

Judgment - Finality - Sessions Court - Application to refer constitutional questions from Sessions Court to High Court - Whether Sessions Court Judge had discretion to allow or dismiss application - Whether there was any constitutional issue in the case - Whether constitutionality issue could be brought directly to High Court for consideration of whether case ought to be transmitted as special case to Federal Court - Whether prospect of application to succeed in referral to High Court high - Whether decision of Sessions Court Judge appealable - Whether there was finality in decision - Courts of Judicature Act 1964, s. 30
Mohd Rafizi Ramli & Anor v. PP
(Zulkifli Bakar J) [2017] 8 CLJ 327 [HC]

Judicial review - Certiorari - Income tax - Application to quash notices of assessment - Charitable institution enjoyed exemption status under Income Tax Ordinance 1947 ('Ordinance') - Ordinance repealed and replaced by Income Tax Act 1967 ('Act') - Whether institution enjoyed tax exemption under Ordinance - Whether exemption impaired by repeal of Ordinance - Institution issued with notices for assessment - Whether notices valid
Society Of La Salle Brothers v. Ketua Pengarah Hasil Dalam Negeri
(Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, Abdul Rahman Sebli, Zaleha Yusof JJCA) [2017] 8 CLJ 298 [CA]

Jurisdiction - Courts - Petition to wind up company - Whether High Court of Malaya had jurisdiction to adjudicate petition - Whether High Court Sabah and Sarawak appropriate forum to determine matter - Whether conditions under s. 23(1)(a) and (c) of Courts of Judicature Act 1964 met - Whether proceedings to be tried within local jurisdiction of relevant High Court - Whether relevant High Court seized with jurisdiction - Whether cause of action arose in territorial jurisdiction of High Court in Malaya - Whether petitioner entitled to rely on official records containing company's business address in Kuala Lumpur
Siti Nur Aishah Ishak v. Golden Plus Holdings Bhd
(Rohana Yusuf, Idrus Harun, Mary Lim JJCA) [2017] 8 CLJ 272 [CA]

Pleadings - Striking out - Statement of claim - Declaratory relief - Allegations of financial improprieties against Prime Minister - Misfeasance and breach of fiduciaries in public office - Failure to prove Prime Minister a 'public officer' holding 'public office' - Whether fatal - Whether action frivolous and vexatious and abuse of court process - Whether ought to be struck out - Rules of Court 2012 O. 18 r. 19(1)(a), (b), (c) & (d)
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad & Ors v. Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Hj Abdul Razak (No 2)
(Abu Bakar Jais J) [2017] 8 CLJ 350 [HC]

COMPANY LAW

Winding up - Petition - Whether High Court of Malaya had jurisdiction to adjudicate petition - Whether High Court Sabah and Sarawak appropriate forum to determine matter - Whether conditions under s. 23(1)(a) and (c) of Courts of Judicature Act 1964 met - Whether proceedings to be tried within local jurisdiction of relevant High Court - Whether relevant High Court seized with jurisdiction - Whether cause of action arose in territorial jurisdiction of High Court in Malaya - Whether petitioner entitled to rely on official records containing company's business address in Kuala Lumpur
Siti Nur Aishah Ishak v. Golden Plus Holdings Bhd
(Rohana Yusuf, Idrus Harun, Mary Lim JJCA) [2017] 8 CLJ 272 [CA]

REVENUE LAW

Income tax - Exempt income - Charitable institution enjoyed exemption status under Income Tax Ordinance 1947 ('Ordinance') - Ordinance repealed and replaced by Income Tax Act 1967 ('Act') - Whether institution enjoyed tax exemption under Ordinance - Whether exemption impaired by repeal of Ordinance - Institution issued with notices for assessment - Whether institution no longer enjoyed exemption due to failure to apply for exemption status pursuant to amendments of law - Whether notices and penalties valid and rightly imposed
Society Of La Salle Brothers v. Ketua Pengarah Hasil Dalam Negeri
(Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, Abdul Rahman Sebli, Zaleha Yusof JJCA) [2017] 8 CLJ 298 [CA]

TORT

Misfeasance in public office - Breach of fiduciaries in public office - Ingredients and proof - Tortuous allegations made against Prime Minister - Whether Prime Minister a 'public officer' holding 'public office' - Constitutional provisions - Whether Prime Minister in 'public service' - Whether 'a member of the administration' - Interpretation Acts 1948 & 1967 s. 3 - Federal Constitution arts. 132, 160
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad & Ors v. Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Hj Abdul Razak (No 2)
(Abu Bakar Jais J) [2017] 8 CLJ 350 [HC]

TRUSTS

Trustees - Co-trustee - Trust for temple - Refusal of other trustees to cooperate with appellant as co-trustee - Appellant's request for information regarding temple's financial status denied - Whether necessary for appellant to know details of assets of temple as appellant was a mere visitor - Whether High Court misinterpreted terms and purpose of declarations of trust - Whether appellant should be allowed access to information pertaining to affairs of temple to carry out duties as co-trustee
Zhou Huide v. Yap Kim Tee & Anor
(Prasad Sandosham Abraham, Hasnah Mohammed Hashim, Asmabi Mohamad JJCA) [2017] 8 CLJ 314 [CA]

WORDS & PHRASES

'Public office' - 'Public officer' - Whether Prime Minister is a 'public officer' holding 'public office' - Interpretation Acts 1948 & 1967 ss. 3, 8 - Federal Constitution arts. 132, 160
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad & Ors v. Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Hj Abdul Razak (No 2)
(Abu Bakar Jais J) [2017] 8 CLJ 350 [HC]

INDEKS PERKARA

UNDANG-UNDANG PENTADBIRAN

Semakan kehakiman - Ketidakpatuhan prosedur - Nama orang yang menjadi hal perkara siasatan didaftar dalam daftar jenayah sebelum Lembaga Pencegahan Jenayah bersidang untuk mengesahkan dapatan pegawai inkuiri - Sama ada terdapat ketidakpatuhan prosedur bawah s. 12 Akta Pencegahan Jenayah 1959 - Kaedah-Kaedah Mahkamah 2012, A. 53
Sanjif Nair Balakrishnan lwn. Lembaga Pencegahan Jenayah & Yang Lain
(Hanipah Farikullah H) [2017] 8 CLJ 339 [HC]

---

LNS Article(s)

1. FOCUS: ISLAM AND PEACE* ^{[Read excerpt]}
   MOHAMMAD HASHIM KAMALI [2017] 1 LNS(A) lii

[2017] 1 LNS(A) lii



MALAYSIA

---

FOCUS: ISLAM AND PEACE*

MOHAMMAD HASHIM KAMALI

I may start with posing a question: Is Islam a religion of peace? The answer to this question is in the affirmative, for the following reasons:

In the Muslim historical narrative, Islam is understood to have been a progressive, tolerant, and civilising force with binding rules constraining injustice and wanton violence. Islam's self-identity as a "religion of peace" is based on the premise that Islam challenges root causes of human violence. Islamic scripture provides varied readings of warrior and pacifist perspectives, yet its numerous dispensations lend support to the construction of a comprehensive vision of peace.

. . .

* Published with kind permission of the International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies (IAIS) Malaysia. Also published in New Straits Times on 30 Jan-Feb 2016. (www.hashimkamali.com or www.iais.org.my).

---

Please subscribe to cljlaw or login for the full article.

2. RESTRAINTS ON DEALING UNDER THE NATIONAL LAND CODE 1965: PRIVATE CAVEATS ^{[Read excerpt]}
   TASHA CHANDRA* [2017] 1 LNS(A) lxxvii

[2017] 1 LNS(A) lxxvii



MALAYSIA

---

RESTRAINTS ON DEALING UNDER THE NATIONAL LAND CODE 1965: PRIVATE CAVEATS

TASHA CHANDRA*

Introduction

The Malaysian National Land Code 1965 ("NLC") is a codified set of laws, rules, regulations and procedures that govern land transactions in West Malaysia. Sabah and Sarawak have their own set of laws and rules under the Sabah Land Ordinance and the Sarawak Land Code. The NLC is divided into thirty five Parts and is, at first glance, an intimidating piece of legislation. Nevertheless, it is essential for every conveyancer to understand the fundamentals of each part and how each chapter therein applies to individual circumstances.

One such part under Part Nineteen is entitled Restraints on Dealing and covers two important sections; caveats and prohibitory orders. There are four types of caveats registrable under Part Nineteen namely Registrar's Caveats, Private Caveats, Lien-Holders' Caveats and Trust Caveats. This article will focus on the law surrounding Private Caveats.

. . .

* Sole Proprietor of Messrs K. Chandra & Co.

---

Please subscribe to cljlaw or login for the full article.

Principal Acts

Amending Acts

PU(A)

PU(B)

Legislation Alert