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Issue #1/2018 04 January 2018

New This Week Case(s) of the Week DATUK HARRIS MOHD SALLEH v. DATUK YONG TECK LEE & ANOR [2018] 1 CLJ 145 Appeal Updates Appeal Updates Latest Cases Legal Network Series CLJ 2018 Volume 1 (Part 2) Articles LNS Article(s) Legislation Highlights Principal Acts Amending Acts PU(A) PU(B) Legislation Alert

DATUK HARRIS MOHD SALLEH v. DATUK YONG TECK LEE & ANOR [2018] 1 CLJ 145
FEDERAL COURT, PUTRAJAYA
MD RAUS SHARIF CJ, AHMAD MAAROP CJ (MALAYA), HASAN LAH FCJ, ABU SAMAH NORDIN FCJ, AZIAH ALI FCJ
[CIVIL APPEAL NO: 02(f)-100-12-2014(S)]
26 SEPTEMBER 2017

TORT: Defamation – Libel – Publication of defamatory statements in news articles – Statements calling for reinvestigation into airplane crash – Insinuations of plaintiff’s possible complicity in criminal act in impugned statements – Whether statements referred to plaintiff and defamatory of plaintiff – Whether statements issued on privileged occasion – Public interest – Whether inclusion of defamatory statements contributed to public interest element – Whether steps taken to verify information – Whether there was failure to establish truth and accuracy of material witness’ account – Reynolds’ test – Whether fulfilled – Whether there was failure to establish Reynolds privilege defence

TORT: Defamation – Libel – Liability – Publication of defamatory statements in news articles – Statements calling for reinvestigation into airplane crash – Insinuations of plaintiff’s possible complicity in criminal act in impugned statements – Whether statements referred to plaintiff and defamatory of plaintiff – Whether statements issued on privileged occasion – Public interest – Whether inclusion of defamatory statements contributed to public interest element – Whether steps taken to verify information – Whether there was failure to establish truth and accuracy of material witness’ account – Reynolds’ test – Whether fulfilled – Whether there was failure to establish Reynolds privilege defence – Whether defendants liable

TORT: Defamation – Libel – Defence of qualified privilege – Publication of defamatory statements in news articles – Statements calling for reinvestigation into airplane crash – Insinuations of plaintiff’s possible complicity in criminal act in impugned statements – Whether statements referred to plaintiff and defamatory of plaintiff – Whether statements issued on privileged occasion – Public interest – Whether inclusion of defamatory statements contributed to public interest element – Whether steps taken to verify information – Whether there was failure to establish truth and accuracy of material witness’s account – Reynolds’ test – Whether fulfilled – Whether there was failure to establish Reynolds privilege defence

TORT: Damages – Quantum of – Libel – Publication of defamatory statements in news articles – Factors considered – Seriousness of libel and recklessness in its publication – Extent of publication – Adverse effect of defamatory statements on one’s dignity and reputation – Whether total award of RM600,000 reasonable

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1. Arger Ambali v. PP [2017] 1 LNS 991 (CA) affirming the High Court case of PP v. Arger Ambali [Criminal Trial No BKI-45-302-1/4/2013]

2. Krishna Kumar RK Krishnan v. Sandana Kumar Sreetharan [2017] 1 LNS 1105 (CA) overruling the High Court case of Sandana Kumar Sreetharan v. Krishna Kumar RK Krishnan [Guaman Sivil No 22NCVC-181-04/2013].

Legal Network Series

[2017] 1 LNS 56	LIN TONG HAI v. REALKEY SOLUTIONS TECHNOLOGIES SDN BHD	COMPANY LAW: Winding up - Inability to pay debts - Petition premised upon judgment - Judgment pending appeal - Absence of stay of execution of judgment - Respondent failed to settle judgment sum - No evidence in respondent's affidavit on its ability to pay debts and solvency - Whether presumption under s. 218(2)(a) Companies Act 1965 triggered - Whether service of s. 218 notice and petition was proper - Whether hearing of winding up petition could be adjourned merely on basis of pending appeal against judgment which petition was premised upon - Whether presentation of winding up petition was in order and in compliance with procedure - Whether petition should be allowed
[2017] 1 LNS 57	CHENG YEW HOOI v. PERBADANAN BEKALAN AIR PULAU PINANG SDN BHD	DAMAGES: Special damages - Loss of earnings - Absence of supporting proof - Pay slip was marked as ID document - Doubt raised during trial as to who paid plaintiff's salary - Whether plaintiff could prove loss of earnings DAMAGES: Special damages - Nursing care - Family members of plaintiff were available to attend and to care for him - Whether plaintiff was entitled to nursing care TORT: Negligence - Road accident - Causation - Plaintiff's motorcycle fell into a pothole in road - Plaintiff alleged burst pipe had caused pothole - Action against utility provider - Plaintiff sustained injuries and losses as a result of accident - Determination of liability - Pipes were embedded in tar road at a depth of three feet - Pothole approximately one feet - Whether pothole was caused by a burst or leaking pipe - Whether plaintiff proved that a leaking pipe had caused the pothole - Whether utility provider was responsible for maintenance of road
[2017] 1 LNS 338	PP lwn. MUHAMMAD AZIM SALIM	PROSEDUR JENAYAH: Rayuan - Rayuan terhadap pelepasan dan pembebasan - Tertuduh dilepaskan dan dibebaskan tanpa dipanggil membela diri - Pertuduhan merompak dengan menggunakan senjata - Tertuduh disabitkan bersama tertuduh yang lain - Tertuduh yang lain telah mengaku bersalah - Tertuduh berada di tempat kejadian atas muslihat dan penipuan tertuduh yang lain - Tertuduh diheret bersama dan dipaksa - Sama ada tertuduh mempunyai niat mens rea untuk melakukan perbuatan jenayah - Sama ada tertuduh berjaya menimbulkan keraguan yang munasabah ke atas kes pendakwaan - Sama ada tertuduh wajar dilepaskan dan dibebaskan
[2017] 1 LNS 342	K RAMALINGAM KRISHNAMOORTHY & ORS v. PENDAFTAR PERTUBUHAN & ORS	ADMINISTRATIVE LAW: Judicial review - Application for - Leave to apply for judicial review - Application to quash decision of Registrar of Societies - Locus standi - Whether applicants were aggrieved parties - Whether applicants had locus standi to maintain judicial review application ADMINISTRATIVE LAW: Judicial review - Application for - Leave to apply for judicial review - Application to quash decision of Registrar of Societies - Res judicata - Existence of previous similar judicial review proceedings sought to impugn same decision of Registrar of Societies - Whether applicants were bound by decision of previous judicial review application - Whether there was new evidence discovered to justify judicial review application - Whether application was an abuse of court process - Whether application was frivolous and vexatious
[2017] 1 LNS 592	JASPAL SINGH GURCHARAN SINGH lwn. LEMBAGA PENCEGAHAN JENAYAH, MALAYSIA & ORS	UNDANG-UNDANG PENTADBIRAN: Semakan kehakiman - Certiorari - Perintah pengawasan dibawah s. 15 Akta Pencegahan Jenayah 1959 ('APJ') - Pemohon didaftarkan di dalam daftar jenayah pada tarikh yang sama Lembaga Pencegahan Jenayah ('LPJ') berkumpul bersidang - Sama ada pra-syarat dibawah s. 12 APJ telah dipenuhi - Sama ada LPJ seharusnya bersidang sebelum pendaftaran nama pemohon dilakukan - Sama ada dapatan inkuiri perlu disahkan terlebih dahulu - Sama ada terdapat ketidakpatuhan peruntukan s. 12 APJ - Sama ada perintah pengawasan adalah sah

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CLJ 2018 Volume 1 (Part 2)

FEDERAL COURT

Datuk Harris Mohd Salleh v. Datuk Yong Teck Lee & Anor
Md Raus Sharif CJ, Ahmad Maarop CJ (Malaya), Hasan Lah, Abu Samah Nordin, Aziah Ali FCJJ
(Tort - Defamation - Libel - Publication of defamatory statements in news articles - Whether statements issued on privileged occasion - Whether award of damages reasonable) [2018] 1 CLJ 145 [FC]

Kaliappan Ramasamy v. Pengerusi, Lembaga Pencegahan Jenayah & Ors
Richard Malanjum CJ (Sabah & Sarawak), Zainun Ali, Zaharah Ibrahim, Aziah Ali, Jeffrey Tan FCJJ
(Preventive Detention; Judicial Review - Prevention of Crime Act 1959 - Section 12 - Registration of criminals) [2018] 1 CLJ 214 [FC]

COURT OF APPEAL

Malayan Cement Industries Sdn Bhd v. Golden Island Shipping (L) Bhd
David Wong Dak Wah, Mohd Zawawi Salleh, Prasad Sandosham Abraham JJCA
(Contract - Breach of supply agreement - Measure of damages) [2018] 1 CLJ 228 [CA]

Sistem Lingkaran Lebuhraya Kajang Sdn Bhd v. Orchard Circle Sdn Bhd & Ors And Other Appeals
David Wong Dak Wah, Hamid Sultan Abu Backer, Umi Kalthum Abdul Majid JJCA
(Land Law - Acquisition of land - Award of compensation - Whether to be made within two years of declaration in Gazette) [2018] 1 CLJ 239 [CA]

Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya & Ors v. Kerajaan Negeri Selangor & Another Appeal
Mohd Zawawi Salleh, Abdul Rahman Sebli, Kamardin Hashim JJCA
(Civil Procedure; Evidence - Discovery of documents - Whether necessary and relevant to hearing - Cross-examination of deponent of affidavit) [2018] 1 CLJ 258 [CA]

SUBJECT INDEX

CIVIL PROCEDURE

Discovery - Discovery of documents - Allegation that Election Commission used defective electoral roll - Application for discovery of database - Whether application for discovery predicated on issues involved in case - Whether application for discovery necessary and relevant to hearing - Whether documents in Election Commission's possession
Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya & Ors v. Kerajaan Negeri Selangor & Another Appeal
(Mohd Zawawi Salleh, Abdul Rahman Sebli, Kamardin Hashim JJCA) [2018] 1 CLJ 258 [CA]

CONTRACT

Agreement - Breach - Damages - Breach of supply agreement - Liquidated damages provided for in agreement - Measure of damages - Whether losses and damages must be proved - Whether damages must be mitigated - Whether claimant only entitled to nominal damages - Whether claimant had burden to prove loss and mitigate losses where parties had stipulated damages in event of breach of agreement - Contracts Act 1950, ss. 74 & 75
Malayan Cement Industries Sdn Bhd v. Golden Island Shipping (L) Bhd
(David Wong Dak Wah, Mohd Zawawi Salleh, Prasad Sandosham Abraham JJCA) [2018] 1 CLJ 228 [CA]

EVIDENCE

Cross-examination - Cross-examination of deponent of affidavit - Whether truth of averment in affidavit challenged - Whether issues of fact identified - Whether disputed fact relevant to issue to be decided - Whether limited to that issue only - Whether cross-examination would advance cause of justice - Whether there was sufficient evidence or contemporaneous documents to enable court to properly decide without need for cross-examination - Whether prayer for cross-examination ought to be allowed
Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya & Ors v. Kerajaan Negeri Selangor & Another Appeal
(Mohd Zawawi Salleh, Abdul Rahman Sebli, Kamardin Hashim JJCA) [2018] 1 CLJ 258 [CA]

JUDICIAL REVIEW

Preventive detention - Detention under Prevention of Crime Act 1959 - Registration of detainee in Criminal Registration Book - Order of Prevention of Crime Board subjecting detainee to police supervision - Whether registration of detainee valid - Whether order of Prevention of Crime Board valid - Prevention of Crime Act 1959 ss. 4, 9, 10, 11, 12 & 15
Kaliappan Ramasamy v. Pengerusi, Lembaga Pencegahan Jenayah & Ors
(Richard Malanjum CJ (Sabah & Sarawak), Zainun Ali, Zaharah Ibrahim, Aziah Ali, Jeffrey Tan FCJJ) [2018] 1 CLJ 214 [FC]

LAND LAW

Acquisition of land - Award of compensation - Time for making award - Whether to be made within two years of declaration in Gazette - Failure to make award within two years - Whether declaration lapsed - Whether fatal - Land Acquisition Act 1960, s. 8(4)
Sistem Lingkaran Lebuhraya Kajang Sdn Bhd v. Orchard Circle Sdn Bhd & Ors And Other Appeals
(David Wong Dak Wah, Hamid Sultan Abu Backer, Umi Kalthum Abdul Majid JJCA) [2018] 1 CLJ 239 [CA]

PREVENTIVE DETENTION

Prevention of Crime Act 1959 - Section 12 - Registration of criminals - Registration of inquired person by Registrar of Criminals in Criminal Register Book - Prerequisites - Finding of Inquiry Officer - Whether registration could be effected only after Prevention of Crime Board confirmed finding of Inquiry Officer - Section 12(1)(a) and (b) - Whether to be read conjunctively - Prevention of Crime Act 1959 ss. 4, 9, 10, 11, 12 & 15
Kaliappan Ramasamy v. Pengerusi, Lembaga Pencegahan Jenayah & Ors
(Richard Malanjum CJ (Sabah & Sarawak), Zainun Ali, Zaharah Ibrahim, Aziah Ali, Jeffrey Tan FCJJ) [2018] 1 CLJ 214 [FC]

TORT

Damages - Quantum of - Libel - Publication of defamatory statements in news articles - Factors considered - Seriousness of libel and recklessness in its publication - Extent of publication - Adverse effect of defamatory statements on one's dignity and reputation - Whether total award of RM600,000 reasonable
Datuk Harris Mohd Salleh v. Datuk Yong Teck Lee & Anor
(Md Raus Sharif CJ, Ahmad Maarop CJ (Malaya), Hasan Lah, Abu Samah Nordin, Aziah Ali FCJJ) [2018] 1 CLJ 145 [FC]

Defamation - Libel - Defence of qualified privilege - Publication of defamatory statements in news articles - Statements calling for reinvestigation into airplane crash - Insinuations of plaintiff's possible complicity in criminal act in impugned statements - Whether statements referred to plaintiff and defamatory of plaintiff - Whether statements issued on privileged occasion - Public interest - Whether inclusion of defamatory statements contributed to public interest element - Whether steps taken to verify information - Whether there was failure to establish truth and accuracy of material witness's account - Reynolds' test - Whether fulfilled - Whether there was failure to establish Reynolds privilege defence
Datuk Harris Mohd Salleh v. Datuk Yong Teck Lee & Anor
(Md Raus Sharif CJ, Ahmad Maarop CJ (Malaya), Hasan Lah, Abu Samah Nordin, Aziah Ali FCJJ) [2018] 1 CLJ 145 [FC]

Defamation - Libel - Liability - Publication of defamatory statements in news articles - Statements calling for reinvestigation into airplane crash - Insinuations of plaintiff's possible complicity in criminal act in impugned statements - Whether statements referred to plaintiff and defamatory of plaintiff - Whether statements issued on privileged occasion - Public interest - Whether inclusion of defamatory statements contributed to public interest element - Whether steps taken to verify information - Whether there was failure to establish truth and accuracy of material witness' account - Reynolds' test - Whether fulfilled - Whether there was failure to establish Reynolds privilege defence - Whether defendants liable
Datuk Harris Mohd Salleh v. Datuk Yong Teck Lee & Anor
(Md Raus Sharif CJ, Ahmad Maarop CJ (Malaya), Hasan Lah, Abu Samah Nordin, Aziah Ali FCJJ) [2018] 1 CLJ 145 [FC]

Defamation - Libel - Publication of defamatory statements in news articles - Statements calling for reinvestigation into airplane crash - Insinuations of plaintiff's possible complicity in criminal act in impugned statements - Whether statements referred to plaintiff and defamatory of plaintiff - Whether statements issued on privileged occasion - Public interest - Whether inclusion of defamatory statements contributed to public interest element - Whether steps taken to verify information - Whether there was failure to establish truth and accuracy of material witness' account - Reynolds' test - Whether fulfilled - Whether there was failure to establish Reynolds privilege defence
Datuk Harris Mohd Salleh v. Datuk Yong Teck Lee & Anor
(Md Raus Sharif CJ, Ahmad Maarop CJ (Malaya), Hasan Lah, Abu Samah Nordin, Aziah Ali FCJJ) [2018] 1 CLJ 145 [FC]

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LNS Article(s)

1. NATIONAL LAND CODE (AMENDMENT) ACT 2016 [ACT A1516]* ^{[Read excerpt]}
   ALEXIS YONG MEY LING [2018] 1 LNS(A) i

[2018] 1 LNS(A) i



MALAYSIA

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NATIONAL LAND CODE (AMENDMENT) ACT 2016 [ACT A1516]*

ALEXIS YONG MEY LING

In this article, Alexis Yong Mey Ling highlights the changes in the National Land Code (Amendment) Act 2016 "NLC (Amendment) Act".

Introduction

By Federal Government Gazette P.U.(B) 527/2016 and Federal Government Gazette P.U.(B) 531/2016 both dated 21 December 2016, the NLC (Amendment) Act came into operation in the Peninsular Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Labuan on 1 January 2017 with the exception of sections 34, 35, 45, 48, 49, 56 and 76 thereof.

The NLC (Amendment) Act has, inter alia, amended sections 433B, 433E and 433H of the National Land Code 1965 ("NLC").

. . .

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

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2. ADR AS AN ALTERNATIVE ACCESS TO JUSTICE IN RESOLVING WAQF LAND DISPUTES+ ^{[Read excerpt]}
   ZATI ILHAM ABDUL MANAF* SHARIFAH ZUBAIDAH SYED ABDUL KADER** NOR ASIAH MOHAMAD*** [2018] 1 LNS(A) ii

[2018] 1 LNS(A) ii



MALAYSIA

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ADR AS AN ALTERNATIVE ACCESS TO JUSTICE IN RESOLVING WAQF LAND DISPUTES+

ZATI ILHAM ABDUL MANAF*
SHARIFAH ZUBAIDAH SYED ABDUL KADER**
NOR ASIAH MOHAMAD***

ABSTRACT

The development of Waqf lands in Malaysia is steadily growing and has attracted the interest of many. States in Malaysia are beginning to promulgate their own Waqf enactments therefore granting their State Islamic Religious Council (SIRC) more power in administering and managing Waqf lands. Coupled with the call for a more effective method of registration and for the introduction of a Waqf registry, the administration of Waqf lands in Malaysia holds a promising future. The issue regarding management of disputes however remains as one of the lingering issues which hamper the development of this promising institution. A survey of surrounding literature shows that most of the Waqf related disputes brought to court relates to the question of validity of the Waqf land as well as the management of Waqf land by the SIRC as trustees.

. . .

+ A part of this paper was presented at the International Conference of Dispute Resolution 2017 on 9th - 10th August 2017 at International Islamic University Malaysia under the title "Dispute Resolution for Waqf Lands: The Relevance of a Waqf Tribunal in Malaysia".

*Zati Ilham Abdul Manaf, (PhD student) at Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws, International Islamic University Malaysia (Ilham.manaf@gmail.com).

**Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sharifah Zubaidah Syed Abdul Kader, Director of International Centre for Waqf Research (ICWR), International Islamic University Malaysia.

***Assoc. Prof. Dr Nor Asiah Mohamad, International Centre for Waqf Research (ICWR), International Islamic University Malaysia.

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