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Issue #9/2017 02 March 2017

New This Week Case(s) of the Week ULIMAS SDN BHD v. HI-SUMMIT CONSTRUCTION SDN BHD & OTHER APPEALS [2017] 2 CLJ 636 SELINSING MINING SDN BHD v. SELINSING GOLD MINE MANAGER SDN BHD & ORS [2017] 2 CLJ 610 Latest Cases Legal Network Series CLJ 2017 Volume 2 (Part 5) CLJ 2017 Volume 2 (Part 6) Articles LNS Article(s) Legislation Highlights Principal Acts Amending Acts PU(A) PU(B) Legislation Alert

ULIMAS SDN BHD v. HI-SUMMIT CONSTRUCTION SDN BHD & OTHER APPEALS [2017] 2 CLJ 636
FEDERAL COURT, PUTRAJAYA
ARIFIN ZAKARIA CJ, MD RAUS SHARIF PCA, SURIYADI HALIM OMAR FCJ,
AHMAD MAAROP FCJ, AZAHAR MOHAMED FCJ
[CIVIL APPEALS NO: 02(I)-21-03-2014(W), 02(I)-22-03-2014(W) & 02(I)-28-03-2014(W)]
12 JANUARY 2017
[2017] CLJ (JT1)

COMPANY LAW: Suit by company - Authorisation for commencement of action - Warrant to act on behalf of company - Whether Board of Directors assented to commencement and continuation of suit - Objection by major shareholder to pursue suit - Whether major shareholder had locus to intervene in matter - Whether directors acted contrary to wishes of shareholder - Management of company - Whether rests solely in hands of Board of Directors - Written resolution of Board to appoint legal firm to act on behalf of company - Whether mandatory requirement - Conduct of directors - Whether unanimous decision of directors obtained to commence suit although warrant to act not signed by all directors - Whether suit ought to be struck out - Companies Act 1965, s. 131B

CIVIL PROCEDURE: Solicitor - Appointment - Warrant to act on behalf of company - Whether Board of Directors assented to commencement and continuation of suit - Objection by major shareholder to pursue suit - Whether major shareholder had locus to intervene in matter - Whether directors acted contrary to wishes of shareholder - Written resolution of Board to appoint legal firm to act on behalf of company - Whether mandatory requirement - Conduct of directors - Whether unanimous decision of directors obtained to commence suit although warrant to act not signed by all directors - Whether suit ought to be struck out - Companies Act 1965, s. 131B

CIVIL PROCEDURE: Preliminary objection - Lack of authority to act on behalf of company - Oral application to challenge right of counsel to act - Whether appropriate - Whether trial judge erred in striking out action

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SELINSING MINING SDN BHD v. SELINSING GOLD MINE MANAGER SDN BHD & ORS [2017] 2 CLJ 610
HIGH COURT MALAYA, SHAH ALAM
AHMAD NASFY YASIN J
[CIVIL SUIT NO: 22NCVC-1204-10-2012]
12 OCTOBER 2016

CIVIL PROCEDURE: Jurisdiction - Courts of coordinate jurisdiction - High Court - Power and jurisdiction of one High Court to transfer case to another High Court - Whether High Court can direct future conduct of proceedings in next High Court - Courts of Judicature Act 1964, Schedule, para 12

CIVIL PROCEDURE: Transfer of proceedings - Application - Application to transfer and consolidate suits - Whether application for consolidation complied with O. 4 r. 1 of Rules of Court 2012 - Whether suits shared same cause of action - Whether there were common questions of fact or law in suits - Whether time and costs would be saved by consolidating suits - Whether parties in suits same - Whether there was risk of inconsistent judgments - Whether application would prejudice one party and benefit other party if granted 

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Legal Network Series

[2015] 1 LNS 817	CS MEGAH BUILDERS SDN BHD v. TEOH CHIN KEE & SONS REALTY SDN BHD	CONTRACT: Privity - Building contract - Contract for renovation and variation works - Defendant denied having contractual relationship with plaintiff - Defendant alleged to be merely giving financial assistance - Contracts were made orally and payments were made in cash - Plaintiff's reliance on quotations and invoices issued, previous payment made by defendant and photographs taken as proof of contract - Absence of objection by defendant at time of joint inspection - Whether there was contract between plaintiff and defendant EVIDENCE: Witness - Competency - Undischarged bankrupt - Whether bankruptcy or insolvency could disqualify a person from giving evidence as witness - Whether evidence of an undischarged bankrupt admissible
[2015] 1 LNS 1050	WONG KIE CHIE v. THE PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF WONG KIE NAI (DECEASED) & ORSHIGH COURT SABAH & SARAWAK, SIBU	CIVIL PROCEDURE: Action - Consolidation of actions - Consolidation of several actions to be heard jointly - Common issues of law and fact - All actions pertaining to a series of oppressive complaints under s. 181 of Companies Act 1965 - Whether a trial of all actions before a single judge would save time and costs and ensure an expeditious, just and convenient disposal of actions - Whether consolidation of actions would avoid a situation of conflicting decisions being arrived at based on similar issues of fact and law CIVIL PROCEDURE: Affidavits - Cross-examination of deponent of affidavit - Application to cross examine deponents of all affidavits - Existence of various disputes of facts raised in affidavit - Whether a party intending to file an application to cross-examine deponent of an affidavit must first identify the specific part of affidavit which they wish to cross-examine - Whether existence of various disputes of facts raised in numerous affidavits would justify an order for cross-examination of deponent of an affidavit CIVIL PROCEDURE: Discovery - Rules governing discovery - Voluminous documents already filed in court - Applicant seeking discovery of documents without any limitation - Whether order for discovery ought to be granted in view of voluminous documents which were already filed in court - Whether application for discovery was a mere fishing expedition - Whether granting of wide order for discovery without determining type and nature of document was detrimental to speedy disposal of action
[2015] 1 LNS 1068	HWA KWANG DEVELOPMENT SDN BHD v. HONG LEONG BANK BERHAD & ORS	CIVIL PROCEDURE: Striking out - Action - Action was time barred - Suit by principal against agent for negligence and misconduct - Whether action brought outside time frame as set out in item 71 of Schedule of the Sarawak Limitation Ordinance CIVIL PROCEDURE: Striking out - Action - Action based on breach of contract - Existence of exclusion clause in contract - Contract limits liability of a party in respect of claim arising from negligence and misconduct only - Whether action based on breach of contract sustainable LIMITATION: Accrual of cause of action - Action for negligence - Whether limitation period started to run from time when neglect became known to plaintiff STATUTORY INTERPRETATION: Construction of statutes - Applicability - Residuary provision - Applicability of item 97 of Schedule of the Sarawak Limitation Ordinance in respect of agency suit - Whether residuary provision can only be relied upon as a last resort - Whether agency suit is covered under item 71 or 97 of Schedule of the Sarawak Limitation Ordinance
[2015] 1 LNS 1354	STANLEY SAVURIYAR lwn. PP	PROSEDUR JENAYAH: Rayuan - Rayuan terhadap sabitan - Pertuduhan di bawah s. 11(a) Akta Pencegahan Rasuah 1997 ('APR') - Kesalahan secara rasuah menerima suapan - Pertuduhan terhadap pekerja sektor swasta - Penyata akaun bank tertuduh mengesahkan jumlah wang yang diperoleh - Tertuduh menggunakan jawatan dan kedudukan untuk memperolehi suapan - Tertuduh disabitkan berdasarkan keterangan yang kukuh dan tidak dicabar - Sama ada tertuduh merupakan seorang ajen sebagaimana yang didefinasikan di bawah s. 2 APR - Sama ada pihak pendakwaan telah membuktikan setiap elemen pertuduhan - Sama ada anggapan dibawah s. 42(1) APR telah dibangkit terhadap tertuduh - Sama ada sabitan yang dibuat berdasarkan keterangan yang kukuh dan tidak dicabar wajar diganggu PROSEDUR JENAYAH: Rayuan - Rayuan terhadap hukuman - Kesalahan secara rasuah menerima suapan - Hukuman penjara dan denda - Hukuman diperintahkan berjalan secara berasingan bagi setiap pertuduhan - Sama ada hukuman yang telah dijatuhkan adalah munasabah dan berpatutan - Sama ada hukuman yang telah dijatuhkan berbentuk pencegahan
[2016] 1 LNS 363	PP lwn. JALLOW CHERNO (W/NIGERIA)	PROSEDUR JENAYAH: Pendakwaan - Kes pendakwaan - Pembuktian kes prima facie - Pertuduhan pengedaran dadah berbahaya - Pembuktian elemen pengedaran - Tertuduh ditahan di lapangan terbang - Tertuduh belum melepasi kaunter imigresen - Tertuduh tidak dibenarkan masuk ke Malaysia - Tertuduh dibawa dan ditempatkan di bilik tahanan sementara untuk urusan penghantaran balik - Dadah ditemui di bilik air yang digunakan oleh tertuduh - Dadah ditempatkan di dalam badan tertuduh - Sama ada tertuduh boleh dituduh atas kesalahan pengedaran dadah - Sama ada pendakwaan telah membuktikan kes prima facie terhadap tertuduh UNDANG-UNDANG JENAYAH: Dadah berbahaya - Pemilikan - Milikan sebenar - Dadah dijumpai ditempatkan di dalam badan tertuduh - Kapsul-kapsul yang mengandungi dadah telah dikeluarkan melalui dubur tertuduh - Sama ada tertuduh mempunyai kawalan dan jagaan esklusif terhadap dadah - Sama ada tertuduh mempunyai pengetahuan terhadap dadah - Sama ada tertuduh mempunyai pemilikan sebenar terhadap dadah

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CLJ 2017 Volume 2 (Part 5)

FEDERAL COURT

Majlis Peguam Malaysia v. Rajehgopal Velu & Anor
Ahmad Maarop, Abu Samah Nordin, Ramly Ali, Zaharah Ibrahim FCJJ
(Legal Profession - Disciplinary proceedings - Allegation of misconduct - Rights of solicitor) [2017] 2 CLJ 493 [FC]

COURT OF APPEAL

Abu Bakar Rajudin v. Syarikat Perumahan Negara Bhd
Alizatul Khair Osman, Abang Iskandar, Nallini Pathmanathan JJCA
(Company Law - Receivership - Action against official receiver and manager - Exceptions in s. 183(1) of Companies Act 1965) [2017] 2 CLJ 515 [CA]

Hartawan Development Sdn Bhd v. Pentadbir Tanah Daerah Melaka
Mohd Zawawi Salleh, Vernon Ong Lam Kiat, Abdul Rahman Sebli JJCA
(Civil Procedure; Land Law - Acquisition of land - Appeal against compensation awarded by High Court - Whether High Court's order appealable) [2017] 2 CLJ 536 [CA]

Jamaludin Jaafar v. Affin Bank Bhd & Another Appeal
Balia Yusof Wahi, Badariah Sahamid, Abdul Rahman Sebli JJCA
(Civil Procedure; Land Law; Bankruptcy - Charge - Validity of - Whether bank a 'Malay' within meaning of s. 2 of Kedah Enactment Reservations Enactment No. 63) [2017] 2 CLJ 547 [CA]

Jitweer Singh Ojagar Singh v. PP
Mohtarudin Baki, Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, Harmindar Singh Dhaliwal JJCA
(Criminal Law; Evidence - Murder - Circumstantial evidence - Whether defence case properly evaluated) [2017] 2 CLJ 561 [CA]

HIGH COURT

HSBC Bank Malaysia Bhd v. Kanaga Laksmi & Ors
Azizul Azmi Adnan JC
(Courts; Statutory Interpretation - Industrial Court - Jurisdiction - Whether has inherent jurisdiction) [2017] 2 CLJ 587 [HC]

Lim Long Yew & Yang Lain; Md Sukri Shahudin & Yang Lain (Pihak Ketiga) lwn. PP
Mohamad Shariff Abu Samah PK
(Undang-undang Jenayah - Pengubahan wang haram - Sama ada bayaran kos guaman boleh dibuat menggunakan wang yang diputuskan sebagai hasil aktiviti haram) [2017] 2 CLJ 594 [HC]

Selinsing Mining Sdn Bhd v. Selinsing Gold Mine Manager Sdn Bhd & Ors
Ahmad Nasfy Yasin J
(Civil Procedure - Coordinate jurisdiction - High Court - Power and jurisdiction of one High Court to transfer case to another High Court - Whether High Court can direct future conduct of proceedings in next High Court) [2017] 2 CLJ 610 [HC]

SUBJECT INDEX

BANKRUPTCY

Adjudication and receiving orders - Setting aside - Orders issued pending appeal to set aside default judgment - Whether rendered appeal nugatory - Whether wrong exercise of discretion - Whether gave rise to miscarriage of justice - Whether adjudication and receiving orders ought to be set aside
Jamaludin Jaafar v. Affin Bank Bhd & Another Appeal
(Balia Yusof Wahi, Badariah Sahamid, Abdul Rahman Sebli JJCA) [2017] 2 CLJ 547 [CA]

CIVIL PROCEDURE

Judgments and orders - Default judgment - Setting aside - Appeal against dismissal of application - Whether court below exercised discretion on wrong principle in rejecting application - Whether occasioned a miscarriage of justice - Whether default judgment ought to be set aside
Jamaludin Jaafar v. Affin Bank Bhd & Another Appeal
(Balia Yusof Wahi, Badariah Sahamid, Abdul Rahman Sebli JJCA) [2017] 2 CLJ 547 [CA]

Jurisdiction - Court of Appeal - Land reference - Appeal against amount of compensation awarded by High Court in land reference - Whether High Court final arbiter - Whether High Court's order appealable - Whether Court of Appeal has jurisdiction to hear and determine appeal - Whether appeal concerned question of law or award of compensation - Courts of Judicature Act 1964, ss. 67 & 68 - Land Acquisition Act 1960, ss. 40D & 49(1)
Hartawan Development Sdn Bhd v. Pentadbir Tanah Daerah Melaka
(Mohd Zawawi Salleh, Vernon Ong Lam Kiat, Abdul Rahman Sebli JJCA) [2017] 2 CLJ 536 [CA]

Jurisdiction - Courts of coordinate jurisdiction - High Court - Power and jurisdiction of one High Court to transfer case to another High Court - Whether High Court can direct future conduct of proceedings in next High Court - Courts of Judicature Act 1964, Schedule, para 12
Selinsing Mining Sdn Bhd v. Selinsing Gold Mine Manager Sdn Bhd & Ors
(Ahmad Nasfy Yasin J) [2017] 2 CLJ 610 [HC]

Transfer of proceedings - Application - Application to transfer and consolidate suits - Whether application for consolidation complied with O. 4 r. 1 of Rules of Court 2012 - Whether suits shared same cause of action - Whether there were common questions of fact or law in suits - Whether time and costs would be saved by consolidating suits - Whether parties in suits same - Whether there was risk of inconsistent judgments - Whether application would prejudice one party and benefit other party if granted
Selinsing Mining Sdn Bhd v. Selinsing Gold Mine Manager Sdn Bhd & Ors
(Ahmad Nasfy Yasin J) [2017] 2 CLJ 610]

COMPANY LAW

Receivership - Action against official receiver and manager - Claims for work done - Outstanding amount - Whether receiver/manager of company could be personally liable for claim of outstanding amount - Whether receiver acted on company's behalf in appointing contractor - Whether receiver and manager wrongly sued - Whether company (in receivership) proper party to be sued - Exceptions in s. 183(1) of Companies Act 1965 - Whether applicable
Abu Bakar Rajudin v. Syarikat Perumahan Negara Bhd
(Alizatul Khair Osman, Abang Iskandar, Nallini Pathmanathan JJCA) [2017] 2 CLJ 515 [CA]

COURTS

Industrial Court - Jurisdiction - Whether has inherent jurisdiction - Whether powers emanate from Industrial Relations Act 1967 - Whether meaning of 'court' in s. 151(3) of Financial Services Act 2013 includes Industrial Court - Whether s. 151(3) permits disclosure of documents subject to Bank Negara privilege to Industrial Court proceedings
HSBC Bank Malaysia Bhd v. Kanaga Laksmi & Ors
(Azizul Azmi Adnan JC) [2017] 2 CLJ 587 [HC]

CRIMINAL LAW

Penal Code - Section 302 - Murder - Appeal against conviction and sentence - Circumstantial evidence - Whether circumstantial evidence pointed to irresistible conclusion of guilt - Whether defence case properly evaluated - Whether conviction and sentence safe
Jitweer Singh Ojagar Singh v. PP
(Mohtarudin Baki, Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, Harmindar Singh Dhaliwal JJCA) [2017] 2 CLJ 561 [CA]

EVIDENCE

Circumstantial evidence - Murder - Whether circumstantial evidence pointed to irresistible conclusion of guilt - Whether conviction and sentence safe
Jitweer Singh Ojagar Singh v. PP
(Mohtarudin Baki, Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, Harmindar Singh Dhaliwal JJCA) [2017] 2 CLJ 561 [CA]

Expert evidence - Conflicting expert evidence - Manner in which conflicting expert opinion to be evaluated - Matters to be considered in evaluating conflicting expert opinion
Jitweer Singh Ojagar Singh v. PP
(Mohtarudin Baki, Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, Harmindar Singh Dhaliwal JJCA) [2017] 2 CLJ 561 [CA]

LAND LAW

Acquisition of land - Compensation - Objection against amount of compensation awarded - Objection referred to High Court - Appeal against compensation awarded by High Court - Whether High Court's order appealable - Whether Court of Appeal has jurisdiction to hear and determine appeal - Land Acquisition Act 1960, ss. 8, 40D & 49(1)
Hartawan Development Sdn Bhd v. Pentadbir Tanah Daerah Melaka
(Mohd Zawawi Salleh, Vernon Ong Lam Kiat, Abdul Rahman Sebli JJCA) [2017] 2 CLJ 536 [CA]

Charge - Validity of - Land charged as security for loan facility - Malay reservation land - Whether can only be charged to a 'Malay' pursuant to Kedah Malay Reservations Enactment No. 63 ('the Kedah Enactment') - Whether bank a 'Malay' within meaning of s. 2 of Kedah Enactment - Bank's name not listed under Second Schedule to Kedah Enactment - Whether rendered charge null and void - Kedah Malay Reservations Enactment No. 63, s. 6(1) & (2)
Jamaludin Jaafar v. Affin Bank Bhd & Another Appeal
(Balia Yusof Wahi, Badariah Sahamid, Abdul Rahman Sebli JJCA) [2017] 2 CLJ 547 [CA]

LEGAL PROFESSION

Disciplinary proceedings - Complaint against solicitor - Allegation of misconduct - Rights of solicitor - Whether entitled to know details of allegations at earliest stage - Whether specific charge ought to be framed against solicitor - Findings of misconduct by Disciplinary Committee and Disciplinary Board - Whether findings fell within scope of Complaint - Whether Disciplinary Board to give reason for rejecting Disciplinary Committee's recommendation - Legal Profession Act 1976, ss. 94(3)(o), 103D(1) - Legal Profession (Disciplinary Proceedings) (Investigating Tribunal and Disciplinary Committee) Rules 1994
Majlis Peguam Malaysia v. Rajehgopal Velu & Anor
(Ahmad Maarop, Abu Samah Nordin, Ramly Ali, Zaharah Ibrahim FCJJ) [2017] 2 CLJ 493 [FC]

Disciplinary proceedings - Complaint against solicitor - Misconduct - Attesting Form 14A National Land Code in absence of vendors - Whether attestation could be made based on trust - Appropriate punishment - Legal Profession Act 1976, ss. 94(3)(o), 103D(1) - Legal Profession (Disciplinary Proceedings) (Investigating Tribunal and Disciplinary Committee) Rules 1994
Majlis Peguam Malaysia v. Rajehgopal Velu & Anor
(Ahmad Maarop, Abu Samah Nordin, Ramly Ali, Zaharah Ibrahim FCJJ) [2017] 2 CLJ 493 [FC]

STATUTORY INTERPRETATION

Construction of statute - Interpretation - Meaning of `court' in s. 151(3) of Financial Services Act 2013 - Whether includes court of arbitration such as Industrial Court - Whether s. 151(3) permits disclosure of documents subject to Bank Negara privilege to Industrial Court proceedings - Intention of Parliament - Whether referred to court of law - Interpretation Acts 1948 and 1967, s. 17A
HSBC Bank Malaysia Bhd v. Kanaga Laksmi & Ors
(Azizul Azmi Adnan JC) [2017] 2 CLJ 587 [HC]

INDEKS PERKARA

UNDANG-UNDANG JENAYAH

Pengubahan wang haram - Akta Pencegahan Pengubahan Wang Haram, Pencegahan Pembiayaan Keganasan dan Hasil daripada Aktiviti Haram 2001, ss. 4(1) & 61(4) - Belian dan jualan produk dengan pulangan keuntungan - Ambilan deposit secara salah - Tuntutan terhadap harta - Sama ada dibenarkan - Sama ada pihak-pihak menuntut menuntut harta secara suci hati - Sama ada bayaran kos guaman boleh dibuat menggunakan wang yang diputuskan sebagai hasil aktiviti haram - Akta Bank dan Institusi-Institusi Kewangan 1989, s. 25(1)
Lim Long Yew & Yang Lain; Md Sukri Shahudin & Yang Lain (Pihak Ketiga) lwn. PP
(Mohamad Shariff Abu Samah PK) [2017] 2 CLJ 594 [HC]

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CLJ 2017 Volume 2 (Part 6)

FEDERAL COURT

PP v. Surbir Gole
Suriyadi Halim Omar, Ahmad Maarop, Apandi Ali, Ramly Ali, Zaharah Ibrahim FCJJ
(Criminal Law - Murder - Defence - Provocation - Gradual and accumulated provocation) [2017] 2 CLJ 621 [FC]

Ulimas Sdn Bhd v. Hi-Summit Construction Sdn Bhd & Other Appeals
Arifin Zakaria CJ, Md Raus Sharif PCA, Suriyadi Halim Omar, Ahmad Maarop, Azahar Mohamed FCJJ
(Company Law; Civil Procedure - Warrant to act on behalf of company - Written resolution of Board to appoint legal firm to act on behalf of company - Challenge against right of counsel to act) [2017] 2 CLJ 636 [FC]

COURT OF APPEAL

Imej Tenggara Sdn Bhd v. Sealion Hotel Sdn Bhd
Rohana Yusuf, Hamid Sultan Abu Backer, Prasad Sandosham Abraham JJCA
(Contract - Variation of agreement - Whether valid enforceable arrangement in law proven) [2017] 2 CLJ 651 [CA]

Shearn Delamore & Co v. Sadacharamani Govindasamy
Hamid Sultan Abu Backer, Prasad Sandosham Abraham, Asmabi Mohamad JJCA
(Tort; Civil Procedure - Professional negligence - Whether pleaded - Whether standard of care expected of professionals higher than ordinary man) [2017] 2 CLJ 665 [CA]

HIGH COURT

Ku Abdul Rahman Ku Ismail v. Muna Mohd Jaafar & Ors
Lim Chong Fong JC
(Tort - Defamation - Libel - Article involving judicial proceeding - Whether prima facie case of libel made out) [2017] 2 CLJ 679 [HC]

Ng See Kit lwn. Pengerusi Lembaga Pencegahan Jenayah & Yang Lain
Abu Bakar Katar PK
(Prosedur Jenayah - Semakan kehakiman - Semakan terhadap keputusan Lembaga Pencegahan Jenayah - Sama ada prosedur dipatuhi) [2017] 2 CLJ 694 [HC]

PP v. Kalidass Ramaya
SM Komathy JC
(Criminal Law - Trafficking in dangerous drugs - Identity of drugs - Break in chain of evidence - Whether proved) [2017] 2 CLJ 704 [HC]

Roslan Maalik v. PP
Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera J
(Constitutional Law; Criminal Law - Fundamental liberties - Right to fair trial and procedural fairness - Whether decision conveyed reasoned judgment on fact and law) [2017] 2 CLJ 713 [HC]

Sri Devi Kanan & Ors v. Malaysian Airline System Bhd & Ors
Azizul Azmi Adnan JC
(Civil Procedure; Tort - Whether statement of claim disclosed reasonable cause of action - Whether doctrine of res ipsa loquitur applicable) [2017] 2 CLJ 728 [HC]

SUBJECT INDEX

CIVIL PROCEDURE

Discovery - Confidential documents - Application for - General and specific discovery of documents related to incident - Whether privilege applies - Requirements under Government Proceedings Act 1956, ss. 5 & 6
Sri Devi Kanan & Ors v. Malaysian Airline System Bhd & Ors
(Azizul Azmi Adnan JC) [2017] 2 CLJ 728 [HC]

Pleadings - Failure to plead - Professional negligence - Whether elements of standard of care and breach pleaded according to law - Failure by trial judge to consider 'standard of care' required of professionals - Whether led to grave misdirection of law - Whether appellate intervention warranted
Shearn Delamore & Co v. Sadacharamani Govindasamy
(Hamid Sultan Abu Backer, Prasad Sandosham Abraham, Asmabi Mohamad JJCA) [2017] 2 CLJ 665 [CA]

Preliminary objection - Lack of authority to act on behalf of company - Oral application to challenge right of counsel to act - Whether appropriate - Whether trial judge erred in striking out action
Ulimas Sdn Bhd v. Hi-Summit Construction Sdn Bhd & Other Appeals
(Arifin Zakaria CJ, Md Raus Sharif PCA, Suriyadi Halim Omar, Ahmad Maarop, Azahar Mohamed FCJJ) [2017] 2 CLJ 636 [FC]

Solicitor - Appointment - Warrant to act on behalf of company - Whether Board of Directors assented to commencement and continuation of suit - Objection by major shareholder to pursue suit - Whether major shareholder had locus to intervene in matter - Whether directors acted contrary to wishes of shareholder - Written resolution of Board to appoint legal firm to act on behalf of company - Whether mandatory requirement - Conduct of directors - Whether unanimous decision of directors obtained to commence suit although warrant to act not signed by all directors - Whether suit ought to be struck out - Companies Act 1965, s. 131B
Ulimas Sdn Bhd v. Hi-Summit Construction Sdn Bhd & Other Appeals
(Arifin Zakaria CJ, Md Raus Sharif PCA, Suriyadi Halim Omar, Ahmad Maarop, Azahar Mohamed FCJJ) [2017] 2 CLJ 636 [FC]

Striking out - Statement of claim - Particulars - Tort claim - Claim for negligence and breach of duty - Claim by dependents of passenger of missing flight - Failure to identify particulars of negligence and breach of statutory duty - Whether detrimental to claim - Whether statement of claim disclosed reasonable cause of action - Whether reliefs sought by claimant appropriate - Whether action bona fide and genuine - Whether claim ought to be struck out
Sri Devi Kanan & Ors v. Malaysian Airline System Bhd & Ors
(Azizul Azmi Adnan JC) [2017] 2 CLJ 728 [HC]

COMPANY LAW

Suit by company - Authorisation for commencement of action - Warrant to act on behalf of company - Whether Board of Directors assented to commencement and continuation of suit - Objection by major shareholder to pursue suit - Whether major shareholder had locus to intervene in matter - Whether directors acted contrary to wishes of shareholder - Management of company - Whether rests solely in hands of Board of Directors - Written resolution of Board to appoint legal firm to act on behalf of company - Whether mandatory requirement - Conduct of directors - Whether unanimous decision of directors obtained to commence suit although warrant to act not signed by all directors - Whether suit ought to be struck out - Companies Act 1965, s. 131B
Ulimas Sdn Bhd v. Hi-Summit Construction Sdn Bhd & Other Appeals
(Arifin Zakaria CJ, Md Raus Sharif PCA, Suriyadi Halim Omar, Ahmad Maarop, Azahar Mohamed FCJJ) [2017] 2 CLJ 636 [FC]

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW

Fundamental liberties - Right to fair trial and procedural fairness - Accused convicted for offence under s. 354 of Penal Code at Magistrate's Court - Allegation that Magistrate delivered judgment without considering accused's final submissions - Whether accused's right to fair trial violated - Whether there was breach of procedural fairness - Whether conviction safe - Whether warranted retrial - Federal Constitution, art. 5(1) - Criminal Procedure Code, s. 174(b)
Roslan Maalik v. PP
(Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera J) [2017] 2 CLJ 713 [HC]

CONTRACT

Sale and purchase of land - Variation - Request for variation of works subsequent to signing of sale and purchase agreement ('SPA') - Whether payment for variation works distinct from payments under SPA - Absence of formal enforceable contract for variation works - Whether valid enforceable arrangement in law proven - Whether variation orders existed
Imej Tenggara Sdn Bhd v. Sealion Hotel Sdn Bhd
(Rohana Yusuf, Hamid Sultan Abu Backer, Prasad Sandosham
Abraham JJCA) [2017] 2 CLJ 651 [CA]

CRIMINAL LAW

Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 - Section 39B(1)(a) - Trafficking in dangerous drugs - Identity of drugs - Break in chain of evidence - Whether proved - Testimony of raiding officer - Whether reliable - Drugs in custody of another police officer when raiding officer conducted search elsewhere - Raiding officer not able to remember who he left drugs with - Whether created doubts in prosecution's case - Whether evidence contradictory - Whether prima facie case established
PP v. Kalidass Ramaya
(SM Komathy JC) [2017] 2 CLJ 704 [HC]

Murder - Defence - Provocation - Gradual and accumulated provocation - Whether could amount to grave and sudden provocation - Whether there was loss of self control - Whether accused had intention to murder deceased - Penal Code, s. 300, Exception 1 - Whether applied
PP v. Surbir Gole
(Suriyadi Halim Omar, Ahmad Maarop, Apandi Ali, Ramly Ali, Zaharah Ibrahim FCJJ) [2017] 2 CLJ 621 [FC]

Penal Code - Section 354 - Offence of assaulting or using criminal force on woman with intent to outrage her modesty - Accused convicted and sentenced to one year imprisonment - Appeal against decision of Magistrate - Allegation that Magistrate delivered judgment without considering accused's final submissions - Whether conviction and sentence safe
Roslan Maalik v. PP
(Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera J) [2017] 2 CLJ 713 [HC]

CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

Judgment - Grounds of judgment - Accused charged under s. 354 of Penal Code at Magistrate's Court - Magistrate made contradicting findings of fact based on same set of evidence - Contradiction of findings of fact in accused's defence - Whether Magistrate adequately addressed mind to issue at hand - Whether decision given by Magistrate conveyed reasoned judgment on fact and law
Roslan Maalik v. PP
(Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera J) [2017] 2 CLJ 713 [HC]

TORT

Defamation - Libel - Article published in newspaper - Article involving judicial proceeding where counsel criticised by judge for acting without valid practising certificate - Reasonable journalism - Whether prima facie case of libel made out - Whether defence of qualified privilege applied
Ku Abdul Rahman Ku Ismail v. Muna Mohd Jaafar & Ors
(Lim Chong Fong JC) [2017] 2 CLJ 679 [HC]

Negligence - Beach of duty - Claim by dependents of passenger of missing flight - Failure to identify particulars of negligence and breach of statutory duty - Whether detrimental to claim - Whether statement of claim disclosed reasonable cause of action - Whether doctrine of res ipsa loquitur applicable
Sri Devi Kanan & Ors v. Malaysian Airline System Bhd & Ors
(Azizul Azmi Adnan JC) [2017] 2 CLJ 728 [HC]

Negligence - Professional negligence - Whether pleaded - Whether elements of standard of care and breach pleaded according to law - Whether standard of care expected of professionals higher than ordinary man - Failure by trial judge to consider `standard of care' required of professionals - Whether appellate intervention warranted
Shearn Delamore & Co v. Sadacharamani Govindasamy
(Hamid Sultan Abu Backer, Prasad Sandosham Abraham, Asmabi Mohamad JJCA) [2017] 2 CLJ 665 [CA]

INDEKS PERKARA

PROSEDUR JENAYAH

Semakan kehakiman - Permohonan - Semakan terhadap keputusan Lembaga Pencegahan Jenayah - Pemohon diperintahkan menjalani perintah pengawasan polis - Pegawai inkuiri tidak menyatakan tarikh dan masa makluman kepada Pendaftar Jenayah - Nama pemohon didaftarkan oleh Pendaftar Jenayah sehari sebelum Lembaga Pencegahan Jenayah bersidang - Kekaburan dalam pemilihan daerah untuk menjalani perintah pengawasan polis - Sama ada prosedur dipatuhi - Akta Pencegahan Jenayah 1959, ss. 3(1), 4(1), 12 & 15
Ng See Kit lwn. Pengerusi Lembaga Pencegahan Jenayah & Yang Lain
(Abu Bakar Katar PK) [2017] 2 CLJ 694 [HC]

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LNS Article(s)

1. NUMERICAL VS. PHYSIQUE OF A CHILD: A SEARCH FOR CONCURRENT AGE OF MARRIAGE BETWEEN THE SHARIAH AND NIGERIAN LAW ^{[Read excerpt]}
   ABDULRAHEEM TAOFEEQ ABOLAJI* [2017] 1 LNS(A) xix

[2017] 1 LNS(A) xix



NIGERIA

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NUMERICAL VS. PHYSIQUE OF A CHILD:
A SEARCH FOR CONCURRENT AGE OF MARRIAGE BETWEEN THE SHARIAH AND NIGERIAN LAW

ABDULRAHEEM TAOFEEQ ABOLAJI*

ABSTRACT

Child marriage has generated a lot of argument among scholars and this no doubt culminated in the promulgation of laws on child rights. One of the aims of these laws is to prevent child marriage. Others include prevention of sexual abuse and other violent acts. There are divergences in the laws of various states as to marriageable age. The commutative effect of these various laws is that Nigeria as a country has taken a holistic approach to reduce child marriage but the issue still persists and affects the health of children and their wellbeing. This paper therefore examines the concept of child, the determinant factor for the marriageable age of a child; whether by the numerical age or physical appearance and the co-relation between a child marriage and mortality. In doing this, the paper adopts a doctrinal method which involves analysis of primary and secondary data. The paper argues that although child marriage has a negative effect on children, the determination of the word 'child' is different under Shari'ah, because marriageable age is not based on the numerical age.

INTRODUCTION

The issue of child marriage is an age long question even before the enactment of the Child Rights Act 2003 (CRA), because it is a major concern in the protection of children's rights. Protection of children's rights includes safeguarding anything that can endanger their lives which includes child marriage. Child marriage has generated a lot of argument among the contemporary scholars that if a child is engaged in marriage at a tender age, it will definitely affect their health and can lead to a shortened life. This, in a way violates the right of a child enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the CRA. This presumption has been rebutted by the scholars of Shari'ah who hold the view that the word 'child' has to be determined before it can lead to the marriage. This issue is persistent in Nigeria where for instance, 43% of girls are married before their 18^th birthday and 17% are married before they attain the age of 15 years.^[1] The prevalence of child marriage varies widely from one region to another with figures as high as 76% in the North West region and as low as 10% in the South East.^[2] Therefore, this paper examines the concept of child and the legality or otherwise of child marriage and the effect of child marriage under the Shari'ah and Nigerian Law. The paper considers the position of Shari'ah on the determinant factor of marriageable age; whether it is based on numerical age or physical appearance of the child concerned.

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* Ph.D LL.M, LL.B, Department of Islamic Law, Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin. Email: raheembj@yahoo.com.

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2. LAW, ETHICS AND MORALITY IN CONTEMPORARY ISLAMIC THOUGHT* ^{[Read excerpt]}
   TENGKU AHMAD HAZRI [2017] 1 LNS(A) xx

[2017] 1 LNS(A) xx



MALAYSIA

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LAW, ETHICS AND MORALITY IN CONTEMPORARY ISLAMIC THOUGHT*

TENGKU AHMAD HAZRI

The distinction between law, ethics and morality in the West arises in the context of positivism. Classical Latin had no equivalent of the Greek word ethikos, and thus the philosopher Cicero coined the term morales as the Latin equivalent. Thus, the Latin word morales and the Greek word ethikos were meant to have the same meaning. How ironic then, that when these words find their way into English, as “morality” and “ethics” respectively, attempts are made to “distinguish” and “separate” them! For instance, it has been argued that “morality is universal and applicable to all, while ethics denotes the particular values relating to the individual or the collective life of the community”.

The distinction and separation of law and morality is heir to logical positivism and its staple theory, the distinction of fact and value, itself rooted in a specific worldview pertaining to reality and the possibility of knowledge thereof. According to this theory, “fact” is that which can be ascertained by the sensory faculties or empirically proven (hence “objective”), whereas values, not being evident to the senses—apparently the only valid channels of knowledge—cannot be known but instead are subject to individual preferences (hence “subjective”).

Ibn Ashur fell into the same logic in his denial of liturgy as part of Shari’a (redefining Sharia as concerned exclusively with that which concerns society and assigning worship to what he called diyanat). Linguistically, the word commonly translated as “ethics” is akhlaq, which has affinity to sajiyya and tab’.

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* Published with kind permission of the International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies (IAIS) Malaysia. Also published in New Straits Times on No. 32, May - June 2016. (www.hashimkamali.com or www.iais.org.my).

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