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Issue #50/2017 14 December 2017

New This Week Case(s) of the Week AHMAD NORIZAN MOHAMAD v. PP [2017] 10 CLJ 599 Appeal Updates Appeal Updates Latest Cases Legal Network Series CLJ 2017 Volume 10 (Part 5) Articles LNS Article(s) Legislation Highlights Principal Acts Amending Acts PU(A) PU(B) Legislation Alert

AHMAD NORIZAN MOHAMAD v. PP [2017] 10 CLJ 599
COURT OF APPEAL, PUTRAJAYA
MOHTARUDIN BAKI JCA, HARMINDAR SINGH DHALIWAL JCA, AB KARIM AB JALIL JCA
[CRIMINAL APPEAL NO: M-05(M)-7-01-2016]
05 JUNE 2017

CRIMINAL LAW: Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 – Sections 39B(1)(a) – Trafficking in cannabis – Section 39A(2) and s. 6 – Possession of cannabis – Conviction and sentence – Appeal against – Trial judge’s cross-examination of accused – Whether trial judge gone beyond ambit of s. 165 of Evidence Act 1950 – Whether resulted in miscarriage of justice against accused – Whether accused prejudiced – Whether conviction safe

CRIMINAL PROCEDURE: Appeal – Conviction and sentence – Appeal against – Accused charged for trafficking and possession of cannabis – Trial judge’s cross-examination of accused – Whether trial judge gone beyond ambit of s. 165 of Evidence Act 1950 – Whether resulted in miscarriage of justice against accused – Whether accused prejudiced – Whether conviction safe

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1. Zainal Azahar Mohd Zain v. Pentadbir Tanah Daerah Seberang Perai Utara, Pulau Pinang [2017] 1 LNS 71 (CA) overruling the High Court case of Zainal Azahar Mohd Zain lwn. Pentadbir Tanah Daerah Seberang Perai Utara, Pulau Pinang: Rujukan Tanah (Lar) No. 15-40-2014.

2. Chonmanee Laphathanawat v. PP [2017] 1 LNS 72 (CA) affirming the High Court case of PP lwn. Chonmanee Laphathanawat: Perbicaraan Jenayah No: 45A-3-01/2014.

Legal Network Series

[2016] 1 LNS 954	ABD MUTALIB @ PUTEH MOHD ALI lwn. LEMBAGA TATATERTIB MAJLIS & YANG LAIN	UNDANG-UNDANG PENTADBIRAN: Semakan kehakiman - Permohonan untuk - Perlanjutan masa untuk memfailkan permohonan semakan kehakiman - Budi bicara mahkamah - Pemfailan semula permohonan semakan kehakiman - Permohonan semakan kehakiman terdahulu dibatalkan atas kegagalan pemohon menamakan pihak responden - Kewujudan kes prima facie - Sama ada mahkamah mempunyai budi bicara dalam memberikan perlanjutan masa pemfailan permohonan semakan kehakiman - Kaedah-Kaedah Mahkamah 2012, A. 53 k. 3(7) UNDANG-UNDANG PENTADBIRAN: Semakan kehakiman - Permohonan untuk - Kebenaran semakan kehakiman - Kes prima facie - Pembuangan kerja - Pemohon dibuang kerja tanpa diberi peluang untuk merepresentasi dan membela diri - Dakwaan berkenaan perlanggaran hak asasi - Sama ada wujud kes prima facie yang mewajarkan permohonan semakan kehakiman didengar berdasarkan merit - Sama ada isu berkenaan perlanggaran hak asasi perlu ditentukan melalui perbicaraan substantif semakan kehakiman
[2016] 1 LNS 1372	PP lwn. NURUL ALYASAK WAHID	UNDANG-UNDANG JENAYAH: Dadah berbahaya - Pengedaran - Dadah jenis cannabis seberat 966g - Tertuduh membuang beg berisi dadah dan melarikan diri - Pemilikan - Sama ada anggapan dibawah s. 37(da) Akta Dadah Berbahaya 1952 terpakai - Sama ada tertuduh mempunyai pemilikan fizikal terhadap dadah - Sama ada tertuduh mempunyai kawalan dan jagaan keatas dadah - Sama ada tertuduh mempunyai pengetahuan berkenaan kewujudan dadah PROSEDUR JENAYAH: Pembelaan - Penafian - Pertuduhan pengedaran dadah berbahaya - Tertuduh menafikan mempunyai pengetahuan berkenaan dadah - Tertuduh mendakwa dadah dijumpai oleh polis di dalam kereta - Sama ada penafian tertuduh mengatasi keterangan positif pihak pendakwaan - Sama ada pembelaan tertuduh adalah rekaan semata-mata - Sama ada pembelaan tertuduh menimbulkan keraguan yang munasabah PROSEDUR JENAYAH: Pendakwaan - Kes pendakwaan - Pertuduhan pengedaran dadah berbahaya - Ketiadaan cap jari pada barang kes - Kewujudan CCTV di tempat kejadian tidak disiasat - Sama ada kes pendakwaan telah terjejas
[2016] 1 LNS 1804	YMY RESOURCES SDN BHD lwn. TETUAN ZAMRI IBRAHIM & CO & SATU LAGI	PROSEDUR SIVIL: Tindakan - Penarik balikan - Penarik balikan guaman tanpa perintah untuk memfailkan semula - Kebenaran mahkamah - Penarik balikan guaman selepas defendan telah memfailkan permohonan untuk membatalkan guaman - Tindakan dihalang res judicata - Permohonan penarik balikan guaman dibuat secara lisan - Sama ada kebenaran mahkamah adalah perlu terlebih dahulu untuk menarik balik guaman - Sama ada permohonan secara lisan untuk menarik balik tindakan telah memprejudiskan defendan - Sama ada mahkamah wajar memberi kebebasan kepada plaintif untuk memfailkan semula tindakan - Kaedah-Kaedah Mahkamah 2012, A. 21 k. 3(1)
[2017] 1 LNS 63	TEGUH AMANI SDN BHD v. YONGVIC SDN BHD	COMPANY LAW: Winding up - Inability to pay debts - Respondent was unable to pay debts within 3 weeks from date of service of statutory notice - Petition premised on judgment - Whether statutory presumption under s. 218(2)(a) of Companies Act 1965 ('CA') applicable - Whether company was insolvent and ought to be wound up pursuant to s. 218(1)(e) of CA COMPANY LAW: Winding up - Service of notice pursuant to Companies Act 1965 ('CA'), s. 218 - Service by A.R. registered post at company's registered address - Petitioner exhibited proof of delivery of registered post - Whether there was good and proper service - Whether service fulfilled requirements of s. 218(2)(a) of CA – Whether s. 218(2)(a) of CA requires personal service of statutory notice - Whether irregular service of statutory notice caused prejudice and injustice to respondent - Whether irregularity was curable under ss. 355(1) & (2) of CA COMPANY LAW: Winding up - Opposition to petition - Deposit to official receiver was paid few days after filing of petition - Whether there was contravention of requirements of r. 32(1)(e) of Companies (Winding Up) Rules 1972 ('CR') – Whether rr. 23A(1)(a) and 32(1)(e) of CR mandated deposit be paid immediately after filing of petition - Whether there was prejudice or injustice caused to respondent
[2017] 1 LNS 172	AINI ISMAIL & ORS v. OSK PROPERTIES SDN BHD & ORS	CIVIL PROCEDURE: Striking out - Action - Absence of reasonable cause of action - Action by purchasers against architect and local authority for claim for defects in material and workmanship - Absence of contractual relationship between purchaser with local authority and architect - Whether there was statutory duty on part of local authority to supervise construction of houses - Whether issuance of certificate of completion and compliance by architect was only to confirm completion of houses were done in adherence to requirements under by laws - Whether claim for defect should be directed to developer - Whether it was plain and obvious case warranting striking out

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CLJ 2017 Volume 10 (Part 5)

FEDERAL COURT

Dr Kok Choong Seng & Anor v. Soo Cheng Lin & Another Appeal
Md Raus Sharif CJ, Ahmad Maarop CJ (Malaya), Zainun Ali, Abu Samah Nordin, Ramly Ali FCJJ
(Tort - Damages - Medical negligence - Claim for damages - Whether patient could only recover what he had lost - Duty of care - Non-delegable duty of care - Characteristic of - Vicarious liability - Whether hospital vicariously liable for negligence of doctor) [2017] 10 CLJ 529 [FC]

U Television Sdn Bhd & Anor v. Comintel Sdn Bhd
Md Raus Sharif CJ, Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin PCA, Hasan Lah, Aziah Ali, Jeffrey Tan FCJJ
(Contract; Evidence - Breach of contract - Claim for damages - Whether plaintiff's act of terminating contract amounted to repudiation under s. 40 of Contracts Act 1950 - Burden of proof - Discharge of - Whether plaintiff discharged burden of proof) [2017] 10 CLJ 580 [FC]

COURT OF APPEAL

Ahmad Norizan Mohamad v. PP
Mohtarudin Baki, Harmindar Singh Dhaliwal, Ab Karim Ab Jalil JJCA
(Criminal Law; Criminal Procedure - Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 - Conviction and sentence - Appeal against - Trial judge's cross-examination of accused - Whether resulted in miscarriage of justice) [2017] 10 CLJ 599 [CA]

Chin Kui Foh v. Sime Darby Industrial Sdn Bhd
Mohd Zawawi Salleh, Abang Iskandar, Ahmadi Asnawi JJCA
(Damages - Assessment - Cut-off date for assessment of damages - Whether should be based on value of land as at date of assessment or date of breach of contract) [2017] 10 CLJ 622 [CA]

Purwadi v. MBf Northern Securities Sdn Bhd
Hamid Sultan Abu Backer, Prasad Sandosham Abraham, Asmabi Mohamad JJCA
(Civil Procedure - Delay in providing written grounds - Whether diminished value of finding of facts) [2017] 10 CLJ 628 [CA]

HIGH COURT

Dewan Perniagaan Melayu, Malaysia Negeri Johor v. Menteri Besar Johor & Ors
Mohd Nazlan Ghazali JC
(Civil Procedure - Application for committal proceedings - Whether contempt charge ambiguous - Whether ambiguity resolved in favour of contemnors) [2017] 10 CLJ 632 [HC]

Liau Choy Wan v. PP
Collin Lawrence Sequerah J
(Criminal Procedure - Appeal against sentence - Whether sentence grossly excessive) [2017] 10 CLJ 649 [HC]

SUBJECT INDEX

CIVIL PROCEDURE

Appeal - Grounds of judgment - Delay in providing written grounds - Whether diminished value of finding of facts - Whether diminished appreciation of evidentiary value - Whether called for appellate intervention
Purwadi v. MBf Northern Securities Sdn Bhd
(Hamid Sultan Abu Backer, Prasad Sandosham Abraham, Asmabi Mohamad JJCA) [2017] 10 CLJ 628 [CA]

Committal proceedings - Application for - Allegation of contempt of mandamus order that sought to enforce compliance with court order - Whether terms of mandamus order clear and unambiguous - Failure to specify time for compliance from date of mandamus order - Whether contempt charge rendered ambiguous - Whether ambiguity resolved in favour of contemnors
Dewan Perniagaan Melayu, Malaysia Negeri Johor v. Menteri Besar Johor & Ors
(Mohd Nazlan Ghazali JC) [2017] 10 CLJ 632 [HC]

CONTRACT

Breach - Claim for damages - Defendant engaged plaintiff to provide technical consultancy services to resolve technical problems in digital broadcasting - Plaintiff undertook works in re-design and transmission enhancement on full turnkey contract basis - Plaintiff to pass proof of concept site acceptance test ('POC SAT') under terms of letter of award - Whether plaintiff had not adequately planned and prepared test - Whether incumbent on plaintiff to lead evidence through experts - Whether expert evidence required - Whether plaintiff discharged burden of proof - Evidence Act 1950, ss. 45, 101 & 102 - Whether plaintiff's failure to rectify failed POC SAT a breach of obligations - Whether plaintiff's act of terminating contract amounted to repudiation under s. 40 of Contracts Act 1950
U Television Sdn Bhd & Anor v. Comintel Sdn Bhd
(Md Raus Sharif CJ, Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin PCA, Hasan Lah, Aziah Ali, Jeffrey Tan FCJJ) [2017] 10 CLJ 580 [FC]

CRIMINAL LAW

Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 - Sections 39B(1)(a) - Trafficking in cannabis - Section 39A(2) and s. 6 - Possession of cannabis - Conviction and sentence - Appeal against - Trial judge's cross-examination of accused - Whether trial judge gone beyond ambit of s. 165 of Evidence Act 1950 - Whether resulted in miscarriage of justice against accused - Whether accused prejudiced - Whether conviction safe
Ahmad Norizan Mohamad v. PP
(Mohtarudin Baki, Harmindar Singh Dhaliwal, Ab Karim Ab Jalil JJCA) [2017] 10 CLJ 599 [CA]

CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

Appeal - Appeal against sentence - Accused convicted for offence of intentionally insulting another with intent to provoke breach of peace - Accused sentenced to six months imprisonment - Whether accused's mitigation factors considered - Whether sentence grossly excessive - Penal Code, s. 504
Liau Choy Wan v. PP
(Collin Lawrence Sequerah J) [2017] 10 CLJ 649 [HC]

Appeal - Conviction and sentence - Appeal against - Accused charged for trafficking and possession of cannabis - Trial judge's cross-examination of accused - Whether trial judge gone beyond ambit of s. 165 of Evidence Act 1950 - Whether resulted in miscarriage of justice against accused - Whether accused prejudiced - Whether conviction safe
Ahmad Norizan Mohamad v. PP
(Mohtarudin Baki, Harmindar Singh Dhaliwal, Ab Karim Ab Jalil JJCA) [2017] 10 CLJ 599 [CA]

Sentencing - Principles - Public interest - Accused convicted for offence of intentionally insulting another with intent to provoke breach of peace - Accused sentenced to six months imprisonment - Whether offence minor - Whether fine more appropriate - Whether public interest outweighed accused's personal interest - Whether undue emphasis given to public interest and deterrence - Whether sentence in accordance with law - Penal Code, s. 504
Liau Choy Wan v. PP
(Collin Lawrence Sequerah J) [2017] 10 CLJ 649 [HC]

DAMAGES

Assessment - Date of assessment of damages - Assessment of damages for breach of sale and purchase agreement of lands - Cut-off date for assessment of damages - Whether should be based on value of land as at date of assessment - Whether damages to be assessed as at date of breach of contract - Circumstances of case - Whether depended on where scale of justice tipped
Chin Kui Foh v. Sime Darby Industrial Sdn Bhd
(Mohd Zawawi Salleh, Abang Iskandar, Ahmadi Asnawi JJCA) [2017] 10 CLJ 622 [CA]

EVIDENCE

Burden of proof - Discharge of - Resolving technical problems in digital broadcasting - Plaintiff to pass proof of concept site acceptance test under terms of letter of award - Whether incumbent on plaintiff to lead evidence through experts - Whether expert evidence required - Whether plaintiff discharged burden of proof - Evidence Act 1950, ss. 45, 101 & 102
U Television Sdn Bhd & Anor v. Comintel Sdn Bhd
(Md Raus Sharif CJ, Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin PCA, Hasan Lah, Aziah Ali, Jeffrey Tan FCJJ) [2017] 10 CLJ 580 [FC]

TORT

Damages - Professional negligence - Medical negligence - Patient suffered injuries in course of operation - Claim for damages - General rule - Whether patient could only recover what he had lost - Whether sums received in mitigation of his loss are to be taken into account in reduction of damages - Exception to general rule - Insurance benefits - Whether patient's right of action against doctor for full amount of loss diminished or extinguished where such loss was indemnified by insurer - Premiums paid by patient in anticipation of contingency - Whether benefit should not accrue to tortfeasor - Whether sum paid by insurer should be taken into account in assessing damages awarded to patient - Civil Law Act 1956, s. 28A(1)(a)
Dr Kok Choong Seng & Anor v. Soo Cheng Lin & Another Appeal
(Md Raus Sharif CJ, Ahmad Maarop CJ (Malaya), Zainun Ali, Abu Samah Nordin, Ramly Ali FCJJ) [2017] 10 CLJ 529 [FC]

Negligence - Duty of care - Non-delegable duty of care - Characteristic of - Arising from an assumption of responsibility imputed to defendant, by virtue of his special relationship with claimant - Scope of duty of care - A 'markedly more onerous obligation' than just a positive duty - Whether has independent scope of application from vicarious liability - Whether may exist when there is no vicarious liability - Whether non-delegable duties should be imposed only where it is fair, just and reasonable
Dr Kok Choong Seng & Anor v. Soo Cheng Lin & Another Appeal
(Md Raus Sharif CJ, Ahmad Maarop CJ (Malaya), Zainun Ali, Abu Samah Nordin, Ramly Ali FCJJ) [2017] 10 CLJ 529 [FC]

Negligence - Medical negligence - Non-delegable duty of care - Doctrine expounded in Woodland v. Swimming Teachers Association And Others - Whether applicable in Malaysia - Whether should apply to private hospital - Whether a patient admitted and undergoing operation in private hospital is in vulnerable position dependent on hospital against risk of injury - Whether private hospitals would be held liable for tortious conduct or clinical negligence of medical doctors vis-à-vis their patients while practising as independent contractors - Whether hospital merely provided relevant facilities required for admission and operation - Whether hospital assumed positive duty in respect of conduct of operation - Whether hospital liable for breach of non-delegable duty to patient
Dr Kok Choong Seng & Anor v. Soo Cheng Lin & Another Appeal
(Md Raus Sharif CJ, Ahmad Maarop CJ (Malaya), Zainun Ali, Abu Samah Nordin, Ramly Ali FCJJ) [2017] 10 CLJ 529 [FC]

Vicarious liability - Whether an employer - Patient suffered injuries in course of operation - Claim for damages - Whether hospital vicariously liable for negligence of doctor - Nature of relationship between hospital and medical practitioner - Whether operation undertaken on behalf of hospital - Whether attributable to doctor's own 'recognisably independent business' - Whether arrangement with hospital was merely to provide for patient's admission and necessary facilities for operation - Whether absence of even a 'vestigial degree of control' by hospital negated vicarious liability on its part
Dr Kok Choong Seng & Anor v. Soo Cheng Lin & Another Appeal
(Md Raus Sharif CJ, Ahmad Maarop CJ (Malaya), Zainun Ali, Abu Samah Nordin, Ramly Ali FCJJ) [2017] 10 CLJ 529 [FC]

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LNS Article(s)

1. KETUA PENGARAH HASIL DALAM NEGERI v. UNITED MALACCA BERHAD^[1]* ^{[Read excerpt]}
   JESS NGO HUI ZHONG [2017] 1 LNS(A) c

[2017] 1 LNS(A) c



MALAYSIA

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KETUA PENGARAH HASIL DALAM NEGERI v. UNITED MALACCA BERHAD^[1]*

JESS NGO HUI ZHONG

A Case Note by Jess Ngo Hui Zhong.

Facts

In 1995, 1996 and 2001, several parcels of land ("Lands") owned by United Malacca Berhad's ("Taxpayer") were compulsorily acquired by the government and the Taxpayer was awarded compensation for the same. Dissatisfied with the amount of compensation, the Taxpayer referred the matter to court.

As a result of the litigation, the Taxpayer was awarded additional compensation together with late payment charges ("Late Payment Charges"). In 2009, the Taxpayer was reimbursed by the Land Administrator for retrenchment benefits paid to its then employees sometime in 1998 ("Reimbursements"). These employees were estate workers who had previously worked on the Lands which had since been compulsorily acquired.

. . .

* Published with kind permission of M/s Shearn Delamore & Co.

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2. ISLAMIC BANKS AND THE ROLE OF SHARI'AH CONTRACTS* ^{[Read excerpt]}
   MOHAMMAD MAHBUBI ALI [2017] 1 LNS(A) cvi

[2017] 1 LNS(A) cvi



MALAYSIA

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ISLAMIC BANKS AND THE ROLE OF SHARI'AH CONTRACTS*

MOHAMMAD MAHBUBI ALI

The concept of the banking system as a financial intermediary is not something new in Islam. The simplest form of banking in the early Muslim state was manifested in the form of the money changer (sharrafah) who also offered deposit taking and short-term financing services. However, a more sophisticated form of banking structure was provided by the trade vendor (jahabidhah/sing. jahbadh) who undertook modern funding and financing activities under Muslim state supervision. The famous Persian historian, Nasir-i Khusraw recorded that almost 200 banking institutions were established in Isfahan at that time which called for prudent regulation and supervision.

. . .

* Published with kind permission of the International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies (IAIS) Malaysia. (www.iais.org.my).

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