Issue #27/2021
08 July 2021
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PP v. SUDESH RATNARAJAH & ORS [2021] 6 CLJ 333
COURT OF APPEAL, PUTRAJAYA
SURAYA OTHMAN JCA; ABU BAKAR JAIS JCA; AHMAD NASFY YASIN JCA
[CRIMINAL APPEAL NO: W-05-234-05-2019]
26 MARCH 2021
The applicability of a representative procedure or action is not confined to civil cases alone but encompasses criminal and quasi-criminal cases as well, including cases pertaining to s. 56 of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, and cases where notices under s. 61 thereof had been issued against several parties. Given a common interest and a common grievance among the parties, a representative suit should very much be in order, more so when the requirements in s. 61(4)(a) and (b) of the Act had been satisfied. A representative procedure is also especially suitable in s. 56 as it will achieve the objective of saving judicial time and accords with the concept of access to justice encapsulated in arts. 5 and 8 of the Federal Constitution. Further, on the facts and in the circumstances, the physical presence of the applicants as spoken of in s. 61 cannot stand in the way of the action.
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE: Forfeiture - Principles governing - Notice to third parties under s. 61(1) of Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 ('AMLATFPUA') - Application for representative action and return of forfeited monies - Whether all requirements under s. 61(4)(a) to (e) of AMLATFPUA have to be fulfilled - Whether court to scrutinise and determine nature and extent of interest of each individual person - Whether representative action ought to be allowed
JURISDICTION: Courts - Court of Appeal - Criminal appeal related to criminal application at High Court - Whether Court of Appeal given wide discretion to make any order - Whether case could be remitted to High Court to be concluded - Guiding principles in remission of case - Whether based on nature of misdirection and/or omission by court below - Courts of Judicature Act 1964, s. 69
DATO' SRI MOHD NAJIB HJ ABDUL RAZAK v. PP [2021] 6 CLJ 574
HIGH COURT MALAYA, KUALA LUMPUR
MOHAMED ZAINI MAZLAN J
[CRIMINAL APPLICATION NO: WA-44-108-06-2020]
30 MARCH 2021
The application to challenge the legality of the appointment of the ad hoc Senior Deputy Public Prosecutor in this case on the grounds that he was involved in the investigation process, was biased, had preconceived notions of the accused's guilt and had mala fide intents against the accused cannot possibly succeed. The allegation that the Senior DPP was involved in the investigation process cannot hold much water as such involvement, if any, was limited to directing the relevant investigating authorities to conduct further investigations if need be; and the allegation that he was prejudging the accused's guilt by calling him 'Criminal Najib' and having mala fide intents equally have little probative traction, as he was entitled to his private opinions so long as it did not impinge on his duties and so long as he was not openly biased when acting as a prosecutor. The Senior DPP, further, was merely a cog in the wheel and it would be a disservice to the Attorney General's Chambers and its officers to suggest that he alone would have absolute control over the prosecution of the accused and could manipulate the conduct of the prosecution's case to fit his agenda.
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE: Prosecution - Prosecuting officer - Deputy Public Prosecutor ('DPP') - Appointment of, whether legally tainted - Whether DPP biased or entertained preconceived notions about accused's guilt - Whether involved in investigation of cases against accused - Whether having mala fide intents - Whether to be disqualified - Criminal Procedure Code, s. 376(3) - Federal Constitution, art. 145(3)
GOVERNMENT OF STATE OF SARAWAK v. DATO' SRI WONG SOON KOH [2021] 6 CLJ 587
HIGH COURT SABAH & SARAWAK, SIBU
CHRISTOPHER CHIN SOO YIN JC
[CASE NO: SBW-21NCVC-3-6-2020]
13 APRIL 2021
(i) A party cannot assert that a confidential document or information in its possession relates to the 'affairs of State' and is thus privileged from disclosure under ss. 123 and 162 of the Evidence Act 1950 without any supporting evidence to sustain the assertion; (ii) a Chairman of a Board of Directors cannot be said to have no personal knowledge regarding negotiations entered into by the company, more so when such negotiations involved a large sum of money paid or payable to another party, as, following the basic corporate governance precepts, the final decision to proceed with the payment must have been voted by the Board chaired by the Chairman; and (iii) a resolution passed by a Board of Directors cannot be hearsay to its Chairman.
CIVIL PROCEDURE: Subpoena - Setting aside - Application for - Application to set aside subpoena to testify and produce documents - Whether applicant compelled to testify and produce documents - Whether applicant had personal knowledge - Whether evidence were 'affairs of State', privileged from disclosure under ss. 123 & 162 of Evidence Act 1950 - Whether evidence sought related to 'affairs of State' - Whether dispute ought to be resolved in accordance with rules of politics or rules of court - Rules of Court 2012, O. 92 r. 4
“Reading s. 165 PC can be daunting, as all the elements of the offence are set out in one long paragraph. It has been the subject of numerous cases. I shall however, refer to Federal Court and the Court of Appeal's judgment in the leading case of Mohd Khir Toyo v. PP[14], where both courts have set out the elements as follows: (i) That the accused is a public servant; (ii) That he has accepted or obtained for himself a valuable thing; (iii) That he gave no consideration for the valuable thing, or gave a consideration that he knew to be inadequate; and (iv) That the accused knew that the person from whom he accepted the valuable thing had connections, or likely to be concerned in any proceedings or business transacted with his official functions as a public servant, or of any public servant that he is subordinate to, or from a person known to the accused to be interested in, or related to the person concerned”– per Mohd Zaini Mazlan J in PP v. Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor [2021] 4 CLJ 668

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PP v. Prince Uzoma Nwaoguegbe [2019] 1 LNS 1344 (CA) overruling the High Court case of PP v. Prince Uzoma Nwaoguegbe [Criminal Trial No 45A-74-08/2014]
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Lopatkina Klavdiia (N/Ukraine) v. PP [2019] 1 LNS 1336 (CA) affirming the High Court case of PP v. Lopatkina Klavdiia [2017] 1 LNS 2089
Legal Network Series
PP lwn. AL HAZIQ ZHARIF ABD ZAFFAR & SATU LAGI 1. Bagi membolehkan tertuduh-tertuduh disabitkan dengan kesalahan rompak berkumpulan dengan menggunakan senjata, mangsa harus secara positif mengenal pasti identiti dan peranan tertuduh-tertuduh secara positif, terutama suspek yang mengacukan senjata kepada mangsa semasa kejadian. Percanggahan keterangan berkenaan dengan pengecaman oleh mangsa-mangsa terhadap suspek yang mengacukan senjata kepada mangsa adalah amat material dan percanggahan tersebut akan menjejaskan kes pendakwaan. 2. Sesuatu pengecaman terhadap tertuduh-tertuduh yang dibuat oleh mangsa-mangsa harus disokong oleh keterangan yang lain. Kegagalan mengemukakan keterangan sokongan yang lain akan menjejaskan pembuktian kes pendakwaan. PROSEDUR JENAYAH: Rayuan - Rayuan terhadap pelepasan dan pembebasan - Pelepasan dan pembebasan di akhir kes pendakwaan - Pertuduhan rompak berkumpulan dengan bersenjata - Keraguan dalam pengecaman identiti tertuduh oleh mangsa - Percanggahan yang material dalam keterangan mangsa-mangsa berkenaan identiti dan peranan tertuduh-tertuduh - Mangsa-mangsa tidak pasti identiti suspek yang mengacukan senjata - Sama ada kelemahan dan kecacatan dalam proses kawad cam dan pengecaman tertuduh-tertuduh telah menjejaskan kes pendakwaan - Sama ada identiti suspek yang telah mengacukan senjata kepada mangsa semasa kejadian gagal dibuktikan - Sama ada keterangan mangsa-mangsa telah gagal menunjukkan penglibatan tertuduh-tertuduh dengan niat bersama dalam melakukan rompakan berkumpulan semasa kejadian - Sama ada satu kes prima facie telah dibuktikan - Sama ada tertuduh wajar dilepaskan dan dibebaskan KETERANGAN: Keterangan pengecaman - Keraguan - Identiti dan peranan tertuduh - Hanya mangsa-mangsa membuat pengecaman - Pertuduhan rompak berkumpulan dengan bersenjata - Jurugambar menyatakan keadaan pencahayaan di tempat kejadian adalah gelap - Pengecaman muka tertuduh-tertuduh melalui sesi kawad cam dibuat oleh mangsa-mangsa kurang daripada 1 minit - Mangsa telah berjumpa tertuduh di balai polis 2 hari sebelum sesi kawad cam - Sama ada wujud percanggahan yang material dalam keterangan mangsa-mangsa berkenaan identiti dan peranan tertuduh-tertuduh - Sama ada pengecaman identiti tertuduh yang dibuat oleh mangsa adalah diragukan dan selamat diterima - Sama ada sesi kawad cam yang diadakan adalah diragui - Sama ada terdapat keterangan sokongan yang menyokong pengecaman yang dibuat oleh mangsa-mangsa KETERANGAN: Keterangan pengecaman - Keterangan sokongan - Pertuduhan rompak berkumpulan dengan bersenjata - Barang mangsa yang dirompak tidak dijumpai dalam milikan tertuduh semasa tangkapan - Senjata yang digunakan tidak dikemukakan semasa bicara - Kenderaan yang dirampas tidak mempunyai kaitan dengan kenderaan yang digunakan dalam kejadian rompakan - Sama ada pihak pendakwaan telah gagal mengemukakan keterangan lain yang dapat menyokong keterangan pengecaman mangsa-mangsa
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PP lwn. SUKHEAIRY KAMAL KAMARUL BAHARIN Keterangan saksi kanak-kanak dalam kes kesalahan seksual memerlukan keterangan sokongan. Kegagalan pihak pendakwaan memanggil saksi-saksi yang material untuk menyokong keterangan saksi kanak-kanak menyebabkan inferen bertentangan terpakai terhadap kes pendakwaan dan seterusnya mewujudkan satu kelompangan yang menjejaskan kes pendakwaan. Keterangan saksi kanak-kanak yang tidak disokong oleh keterangan yang lain adalah tidak selamat untuk diterima untuk mensabitkan tertuduh. PROSEDUR JENAYAH: Rayuan - Rayuan terhadap pelepasan dan pembebasan - Kesalahan seksual terhadap kanak-kanak - Keterangan sokongan - Kejadian berlaku di dalam van sekolah - Penumpang lain dalam van sekolah serta pembantu rumah mangsa yang telah menyambut mangsa tidak dipanggil untuk memberikan keterangan - Sama ada pihak pendakwaan telah gagal mengemukakan sebarang keterangan sokongan yang dapat menyokong keterangan mangsa - Sama ada inferen bertentangan adalah terpakai dan telah menjejaskan kes pendakwaan - Sama ada pihak pendakwaan telah gagal menutup lompang yang material dalam kes pendakwaan - Sama ada keterangan mangsa yang menimbulkan keraguan adalah selamat untuk diterima untuk mensabitkan tertuduh - Sama ada tertuduh wajar dilepaskan dan dibebaskan daripada pertuduhan KETERANGAN: Sokongan - Kesalahan seksual - Mangsa seorang kanak-kanak - Sama ada keterangan mangsa kanak-kanak dalam kes-kes kesalahan seksual memerlukan sokongan - Sama ada keterangan saksi kanak-kanak memerlukan keterangan sokongan sebelum tertuduh boleh disabitkan - Akta Keterangan 1950, s. 133A
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KHATIJAH MD IBRAHIM & ORS v. ALLEN CHOONG CHING YET & ORS 1. A defendant is entitled to invoke the doctrine of issue estoppel and res judicata to bar the plaintiff from re-litigating the same issues that have been decided or ought to have been decided in an earlier action although the defendant was not a party in that earlier action. 2. An action commenced to re-litigate or contradict a final judgment in an earlier action and to recover losses naturally incurred due to losing the earlier action amounts to an abuse of process of the court. The court has the inherent power to prevent misuse of its process by striking out an action that would bring the administration of justice into disrepute. CIVIL PROCEDURE: Striking out - Res judicata - Doctrine of issue estoppel and cause of action estoppel - Present action commenced against same party as in earlier action together with additional parties - Correctness of determination of crucial issues in earlier action challenged and re-litigated in present action based on same evidence and witnesses - Whether there was real or practical difference between issues to be litigated in present action with issues already decided in earlier action - Whether issues raised in present action ought to have been raised in earlier action - Whether present action was caught by issue estoppel and cause of action estoppel - Whether res judicata established - Whether action ought to be struck out CIVIL PROCEDURE: Striking out - Abuse of process of court - Inherent power of court of justice to prevent misuse of its process - Present action sought to re-litigate or contradict final judgment in earlier action and to recover losses naturally incurred due to losing case - Present action commenced to recover or recoup legal costs and expenses of earlier action - Whether commencement of present action amounts to collateral attack on final judgment in earlier action - Whether present action was an abuse of process - Whether present action would bring administration of justice into disrepute CIVIL PROCEDURE: Striking out - Limitation - Cause of action premised on law of tort - Whether action was caught by limitation - Limitation Act 1950, s. 6(1)
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PUBLIC BANK BERHAD v. LH BINTANG DEVELOPMENT SDN BHD & ANOR A restriction in interest endorsed on the register document of title of land is conclusive and the transfer of the land to the successful bidders at an auction will be effective subject to such restriction in interest. The reserve price for the land as stated in the order for directions after considering the existence of such restriction on the land ought not to be disturbed. LAND LAW: Charge - Sale of land - Auction - Order for directions - Reserve price disputed by beneficial owner - Lands endorsed with a restriction in interest - Bumiputera restriction - Defendant asserted reserve price ought to be higher as lands no longer subject to Bumiputera restriction - Searches conducted on lands disclosed that lands were still subject to restriction - Whether restriction in interest remained on register document of title of lands - Whether restriction was conclusive - Whether reserve price ought to be disturbed - Whether transfer of lands to successful bidder subject to restriction in interest
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LOW SONG KIM v. PP Exhibits are not required to be labelled and marked in the presence of the accused before they are removed from the crime scene. Removing the exhibits before labelling and marking them in the presence of the accused does not break the chain of evidence. CRIMINAL PROCEDURE: Exhibits - Break in chain of evidence - Offence of trafficking dangerous drugs - Drugs found on a table in a sitting room of a house where accused was arrested - Raiding officer seized drugs and put them in a box - Photographs taken at scene did not show existence of drugs seized - Whether there was break in chain of evidence - Whether there were legal requirements for labelling and marking of exhibits before removal from crime scene - Whether labelling and marking of exhibits should be done in presence of accused CRIMINAL PROCEDURE: Defence - Denial - Offence of trafficking dangerous drugs - Drugs found on a table in a sitting room of a house where accused was arrested - Accused denied possession of drugs - Accused claimed to be only looking after house on behalf of an individual but failed to provide full details of that individual during remand - Whether defence of accused was logical - Whether defence of accused was merely a denial and an afterthought EVIDENCE: Statement - Admissibility - Statement of person who could not be called as witness - Witness could not be traced despite serious effort made - Several persons named in statement were not called by prosecution to testify - Trial judge warned himself to only give light weight to evidence - Whether failure to call maker of statement and several other persons named in statement was fatal to prosecution's case - Evidence Act 1950, s. 32(1)(i)
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CLJ 2021 Volume 6 (Part 3)
The principle of natural justice dictates that no man shall be condemned unheard. A finding of contempt, prima facie or otherwise, must only be made after opportunity to be heard is given. Although no formal notice of charge is required, the alleged contemnor must first understand the offence and be given the opportunity to defend himself before a finding is made.
Dr Sim Kui Hian v. Chong Chieng Jen & Other Appeals [2021] 6 CLJ 305 [CA]
CIVIL PROCEDURE: Contempt - Contempt in face of court - Advocate delayed in filing documents - Judge dissatisfied with explanation and made finding of prima facie contempt in face of court against advocate - Findings made without warning that advocate was cited for contempt - Whether advocate given opportunity to be heard - Whether procedure adopted by judge correct - Whether there was procedural fairness - Whether there was contempt in face of court - Rules of Court 2012, O. 52
CIVIL PROCEDURE: Case management - Summary dismissal - Advocate delayed in filing documents - Judge dissatisfied with explanation and summarily dismissed claim for non-compliance of case management directions - Whether judge wrongly exercised discretionary power to dismiss claim summarily - Whether nature of non-compliance sufficiently serious to defeat purpose of case management direction - Whether trial disrupted - Rules of Court 2012, O. 34
LAU BEE LAN JCA
RAVINTHRAN PARAMAGURU JCA
MOHD SOFIAN ABD RAZAK JCA
- For the appellant - Bong Ah Loi, Shankar Ram Pohumall, Wong King Wei, Russell Lim Jian Liang & Yu Ying Ying; M/s Thomas, Shankar Ram & Co Advocs
- For the respondent - Michael Kong Feng Nian & Chong Siew Chiang; M/s Chong Brothers Advocs
- For the Bar Council - Clement Wong
- For the Advocates Association of Sarawak - Ma Seong Yuin
In construing the true construction of an agreement, the court may not take into consideration the oral testimonies of witnesses but may rely instead on the clauses of the agreement itself; further, in determining the true import of the agreement, emphasis may be had to its natural, ordinary and contextual meaning.
Majlis Agama Islam Selangor & Anor v. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd [2021] 6 CLJ 319 [CA]
CONTRACT: Construction - Entire agreement clause - Payment guarantee agreement - Extent of guarantee under agreement - Whether guarantee extended to entirety of financing facilities or only to rental charges payable during concession period due - Whether reliance placed on oral testimonies of witnesses to construe true construction of agreement in accord with established legal principles - Whether terms of agreement rewritten
CIVIL PROCEDURE: Res judicata - Whether earlier judgment appearing to rule on similar issue precluded further determination of present issue - Judgment in different suit had ruled on similar claim sought in present suit - Whether already received full benefit of judgment - Whether amounted to double claim - Whether amounted to unjust enrichment
MOHAMAD ZABIDIN MOHD DIAH JCA
VAZEER ALAM MYDIN MEERA JCA
MOHD SOFIAN ABD RAZAK JCA
- For the appellants - Mohd Radzi Yatiman, Nurul Muhaniza Hanafi & Nadia Ahmad Suhaidin; M/s Abu Zahar Syed Mohd Fuad & Partners
- For the respondent - Muhammad Adam Abdullah & Adlina Atikah Zainal Abidin; M/s Adam Abdullah & Mani
The applicability of a representative procedure or action is not confined to civil cases alone but encompasses criminal and quasi-criminal cases as well, including cases pertaining to s. 56 of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, and cases where notices under s. 61 thereof had been issued against several parties. Given a common interest and a common grievance among the parties, a representative suit should very much be in order, more so when the requirements in s. 61(4)(a) and (b) of the Act had been satisfied with. A representative procedure is also especially suitable in s. 56 as it will achieve the objective of saving judicial time and accords with the concept of access to justice encapsulated in arts. 5 and 8 of the Federal Constitution. It must further go, on the facts and in the circumstances, that 'the physical presence of the applicants' as spoken of in s. 61 cannot stand in the way of the action.
PP v. Sudesh Ratnarajah & Ors [2021] 6 CLJ 333 [CA]
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE: Forfeiture - Principles governing - Notice to third parties under s. 61(1) of Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 ('AMLATFPUA') - Application for representative action and return of forfeited monies - Whether all requirements under s. 61(4)(a) to (e) of AMLATFPUA have to be fulfilled - Whether court to scrutinise and determine nature and extent of interest of each individual person - Whether representative action ought to be allowed
JURISDICTION: Courts - Court of Appeal - Criminal appeal related to criminal application at High Court - Whether Court of Appeal given wide discretion to make any order - Whether case could be remitted to High Court to be concluded - Guiding principles in remission of case - Whether based on nature of misdirection and/or omission by court below - Courts of Judicature Act 1964, s. 69
SURAYA OTHMAN JCA
ABU BAKAR JAIS JCA
AHMAD NASFY YASIN JCA
- For the appellant - Faizah Salleh; DPP
- For the respondent - Ravi Nekoo & Parvinder Kaur; M/s Hakem Arabi & Assocs
The fundamental legal principles governing a Malaysian court's jurisdiction over a non-resident defendant are: (i) jurisdiction is conferred on the court by O. 11 of the ROC and/or s. 23 of the CJA ; (ii) when determining whether it has jurisdiction over a non-resident defendant, the court must assume that the plaintiff's allegations in its statement of claim are true; and (iii) after ruling that it has the jurisdiction to hear the plaintiff's claim against the defendant, the court must next decide, pursuant to the doctrine of forum non conveniens, the appropriate forum to litigate the plaintiff's claim against the defendant.
Alupanorama Metals Sdn Bhd & Anor v. Okaya International (H.K.) Ltd & Anor [2021] 6 CLJ 346 [HC]
CIVIL PROCEDURE: Statement of claim - Setting aside - Application for - Malaysian company filed writ and statement of claim against non-resident defendants - Notice of writ served out of jurisdiction under O. 11 of Rules of Court 2012 - Whether statement of claim fully and frankly disclosed all material facts - Whether there was good arguable case against defendants that fell within one of limbs of O. 11 r. 1(1) - Whether there were serious issues to be tried - Whether writ and statement of claim ought to be set aside
CIVIL PROCEDURE: Forum conveniens - Proper forum for legal action - Breach of contracts - Contracts entered into between Malaysian incorporated companies and non-Malaysian incorporated companies - Contracts executed in Malaysia - Breach and discovery of breach in Malaysia - Whether Malaysia forum with most real and substantial connection - Whether Malaysian courts more suitable or appropriate forum
FAIZAH JAMALUDIN J
- For the plaintiffs - V Premshangar; M/s Lewis & Co
- For the 1st defendant - CS Mong & Amelia Loh Pui Yan; M/s Lee Hishamuddin Allen & Gledhill
The remedies available in a civil suit for wrongful dismissal must be distinguished from the remedies available in the Industrial Court in a claim for unfair dismissal under s. 20 of the Industrial Relations Act 1967 ('IRA'). Under the IRA, the Industrial Court, upon finding a dismissal to be unfair, has the powers to order (i) back wages up to 24 months to be paid to the employee; (ii) the employee be reinstated; or (iii) the employee be compensated in lieu of reinstatement, usually at the rate of one month's remuneration for each year of completed service. The remedies vested in the Industrial Court are statutory creation and have no place in common law and civil courts.
Malayan Banking Bhd v. Prabanah Manogaran Sultan [2021] 6 CLJ 370 [HC]
EMPLOYMENT LAW: Employment - Wrongful dismissal - Employee worked as bank teller - Discovery of cash shortage - Employee summarily dismissed - Whether dismissal wrongful - Whether employee caused cash shortage - Damages that could be awarded for wrongful dismissal
INDUSTRIAL COURT: Remedies - Wrongful dismissal - Remedies available upon finding of wrongful dismissal - Whether remedies statutory creation available at Industrial Court only - Whether available under common law and at civil courts - Industrial Relations Act 1967, s. 20
EVIDENCE: Burden of proof - Civil matter - Employee summarily dismissed from employment - Employee commenced civil suit at Sessions Court for wrongful dismissal at common law - Burden of proof applicable
EVIDENCE: Standard of proof - Civil matter - Employee summarily dismissed from employment - Employee commenced civil suit at Sessions Court for wrongful dismissal at common law - Standard of proof applicable
WONG HOK CHONG JC
- For the appellant - Edwin Rajasooria; M/s Kamil Hashim Raj & Lim
- For the respondent - C Shanmugaiah; M/s C Shanmugaiah & Co
In a charge of being in possession of an offensive weapon, the inconsistencies given by a sole witness on where the offensive weapon is found, is not trivial in nature and goes to the root of the entire case. The prosecution needs to provide the details of the 'public place' that the offensive weapon was found to be in the possession of the accused, and not base it on guesswork or assumptions. The court could not unjustly assume that it is indeed a public place as it would only constitute an offence if the offensive weapon was to be possessed in a public place.
Mohd Faisa Ismail v. PP [2021] 6 CLJ 380 [HC]
CRIMINAL LAW: Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act 1958 - Section 6(1) - Possession of knife - Allegation of - Whether weapon an offensive weapon by virtue of s. 2 - Whether accused had in his possession or under his control offensive weapon - Credibility of witnesses - Whether possession or control of offensive weapon at public road or public place - Whether Sessions Court Judge correct to invoke judicial notice - Whether elements of charge proved - Whether accused ought to be acquitted and discharged
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE: Sentencing - Appeal against - Accused found guilty of being in possession of offensive weapon - Whether offensive weapon by virtue of s. 2 - Whether accused had in his possession or under his control offensive weapon - Credibility of witnesses - Whether possession or control of offensive weapon at public road or public place - Whether Sessions Court Judge correct to invoke judicial notice - Whether elements of charge proved - Whether accused ought to be acquitted and discharged - Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act 1958, s. 6(1)
AMIRUDIN ABD RAHMAN JC
- For the appellant - Anbananthan Yathiraju; M/s Anba & Assocs
- For the respondent - Muhamad Syeqal Che Murat; DPP
(1) An application by the Muslim applicants which only concerned the registration of the Muslim child's name in the register in respect of adoption and certification of adoption, and which did not call into question the religion of the child or the legitimacy of the adoption, is a matter that does not fall under the purview of the Syariah Court. As the matter concerned the registration of an adopted child arising from the Federal List in which the civil court has jurisdiction, art. 121(1A) of the Federal Constitution empowers a civil court to hear such application.
(2) The overriding principle in cases involving a child or minor is that the 'best interests of the child' is paramount. If by having 'Bin Abdullah' in an adopted Muslim's child's name would cause the child to carry a stigma that he is either illegitimate or adopted, and that such label would deprive him of his fundamental right of being equal in the eyes of the law under the Federal Constitution, this goes against the universal principle that the best interests of the child should prevail.
Mohd Shafiee Arshad & Anor v. District Officer Sibu [2021] 6 CLJ 403 [HC]
FAMILY LAW: Adoption - Birth certificate - Registration of child's name - Application to delete 'Bin Abdullah' for adopted child's name in all official records - Whether civil court has jurisdiction to hear application involving Muslim family - Whether action ought to have commenced by way of judicial review - Binding and retrospective effect of Fatwa on Naming Illegitimate Child made under s. 37 of Majlis Islam Ordinance 2001 (Cap 41) - Consideration of best interest of child
CHRISTOPHER CHIN SOO YIN JC
- For the applicants - Belinda Hii; M/s Hii & Hii Advocs
- For the respondent - Hisyamudin Roslan; SLO, Kuching
- Amicus Curiae - Wee Wui Kiat, Benny Zaidi & Jacquelyn Hii; Advocates Association of Sarawak
(i) Judicial admission of facts in an affidavit in subsequent proceedings, and which was not available in previous proceedings, proves that there was a change in circumstances, and thereby allows the court to summarily dispose of the case;
(ii) Certification jurat, an essential requirement under O. 41 r. 3 of the Rules of Court, must be attached on an affidavit, and the breach of the same is not a curable irregularity and renders the affidavit inadmissible.
(iii) Upon the abandonment of the grounds for caveating the land, the caveat ought not to remain and must be removed.
N Vasantha Rajan Nagarajan v. Yeoh Soon Peng & Anor [2021] 6 CLJ 421 [HC]
CIVIL PROCEDURE: Admission - Judgment on admission, application for - Judicial admission of facts - Case remitted for retrial - Allegation that judicial admission unavailable in previous trial - Whether caused change in circumstances - Whether amounted to 'fresh evidence' - Whether way to circumvent or breach earlier decision - Whether case could be decided summarily - Rules of Court 2012, O. 27 r. 3
CIVIL PROCEDURE: Affidavits - Jurat - Affidavit by person illiterate in Bahasa Melayu - Affidavits filed without requisite jurat - Evidence under oath given in Hokkien dialect - Whether affidavits read to and understood by deponent - Whether absence of jurat constituted breach of O. 41 r. 3 of Rules of Court 2012 - Whether irregularity substantial - Whether curable
LAND LAW: Caveat - Removal of - Abandonment of grounds for entry of caveat - Whether evidence supported caveatable interest - Whether grant of administration confers any interest or title - Whether caveats ought to be removed
GEORGE VARUGHESE JC
- For the plaintiff - Tan Kah Hoo & Loh Li Lian; M/s Gan Teik Chee & Ho
- For the 1st defendant - Ang Khoon Cheong; M/s CP Ang & Co
After having compensated the parcel owners of strata units for the market values of their respective strata units, the acquisition authority cannot acquire the common property in the same strata development in the same process without paying any value to the management corporation of the strata development irrespective of the facts and circumstances of the strata development. Depending on the facts and circumstances of each case, there are two possible components to the market value of common property in a strata development: (i) lease or rental income or the potential of such income; and (ii) re-development potential in the future in the event of an en block sale or in the event of the cancellation of the subdivision upon total destruction of the strata building.
Perbadanan Pengurusan Ara Ampang v. Pentadbir Tanah Daerah Hulu Langat [2021] 6 CLJ 441 [HC]
LAND LAW: Acquisition - Compensation - Land reference - Acquisition authority compensated parcels owners of strata units for market values of respective strata units - Whether acquisition authority can acquire common property in same strata development in same acquisition process - Whether acquisition authority required to pay any value to management corporation of strata development - Strata Titles Act 1985, s. 57 - Land Acquisition Act 1960
TEE GEOK HOCK JC
- For the applicant - HY Lee; M/s HY Lee & Co
- For the respondent - Etty Eliany Tesno; State Legal Advisor, Selangor
CLJ 2021 Volume 6 (Part 4)
Once art. 14(1)(b) and s. 1(b) of Part II of the Second Schedule of the Federal Constitution ('FC') is read together with the interpretation provision in the FC, in particular s. 17 of Part III of the Second Schedule in order to determine the qualifications necessary for the acquisition of citizenship by operation of law of an illegitimate child born out of the Federation, there is no necessity to adopt any other requirement to construe the provisions. Hence, the Legitimacy Act or any other law is therefore not to be read into the provisions as there is no mention made for the rights of citizenship in the Legitimacy Act and no corresponding provision in the FC that deems legitimisation confers the right to citizenship. The qualification of acquiring citizenship by operation of law must be met at birth. If the qualifications are not met, the court was not at liberty to add and subtract any other or qualifications which the FC states otherwise. There is no judicial supremacy articulated in the FC and the power to amend the Constitution rests solely with the Parliament. The court should not endeavour to achieve any fanciful meaning against the clear letter of the law.
CTEB & Anor v. Ketua Pengarah Pendaftaran Negara, Malaysia & Ors [2021] 6 CLJ 471 [FC]
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: Citizenship - Citizenship by operation of law - Illegitimate child - Child born to Malaysian father and Filipino mother - Child born outside Federation - Whether Malaysian citizen by operation of law - Requirements under art. 14(1)(b) of Federal Constitution ('FC') - Whether child met criteria stipulated pursuant to art. 14(1)(b) of FC read together with s. 1(b) of Part II of Second Schedule and s. 17 of Part III of Second Schedule to FC - Whether severing s. 17 of Part III of Second Schedule from interpretation of art. 14 total misapprehension - Whether child's citizenship followed that of his mother - Whether acquisition of citizenship by operation of law required fulfilment of requisite conditions at time of birth - Whether 'parents' refer to lawful parents in recognised marriage in Federation - Whether subsequent marriage of parents changed birth status of illegitimate child - Whether legitimisation conferred right to citizenship - Whether there was unlawful discrimination offending protection envisaged by art. 8 of FC - Whether proper to import s. 1(b) of Part II of Second Schedule to FC any other requirements for citizenship of child born to Malaysian father other than those expressly stated in provision
STATUTORY INTERPRETATION: Construction of statutes - Aids to construction - Citizenship by operation of law - Illegitimate child - Child born to Malaysian father and Filipino mother outside Federation - Whether Malaysian citizen by operation of law - Whether child met criteria stipulated pursuant to art. 14(1)(b) of Federal Constitution ('FC') read together with s. 1(b) of Part II of Second Schedule and s. 17 of Part III of Second Schedule to FC - Whether severing s. 17 of Part III of Second Schedule from interpretation of art. 14 total misapprehension - Whether there was unlawful discrimination offending protection envisaged by art. 8 of FC - Whether proper to import s. 1(b) of Part II of Second Schedule to FC any other requirements for citizenship of child born to Malaysian father other than those expressly stated in provision
TENGKU MAIMUN TUAN MAT CJ
ROHANA YUSUF PCA
NALLINI PATHMANATHAN FCJ
VERNON ONG LAM KIAT FCJ
ZABARIAH MOHD YUSOF FCJ
HASNAH MOHAMMED HASHIM FCJ
MARY LIM FCJ
- For the appellants - Cyrus Das, Sharmini Thiruchelvam & Francis Pereira; M/s Francis Pereira & Shan
- For the respondents - Shamsul Bolhassan & Mazlifah Ayob; SFCs
- For the Bar Council - Jasmine Wong, Low Wei Loke & Larissa Louis Ann; M/s Mah Weng Kwai & Assocs
- For the DHRRA - Ranee Sreedharan; M/s Ranee Sree & Assocs
A revision filed pursuant to ss. 31 and 35 of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964 is applied to avoid grave injustice from happening considering the exigency of time and is not meant to be applied when there is already an appeal pending as happened here. Filing such a revision may amount to a backdoor application to question the conviction and sentence and undermine the administration of justice. The court will therefore examine such application with vigilance and scrutiny and may altogether dismiss the application.
Low Thiam Hock v. PP [2021] 6 CLJ 556 [CA]
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE: Revision - Decision of Sessions Court - Application for revision filed pending appeal against conviction and sentence - Whether allowable - Whether issues in revision ought to be argued in appeal - Whether backdoor approach to question conviction and sentence - Dismissal of revision by High Court - Whether to be sustained - Courts of Judicature Act 1964, ss. 31, 35 - Criminal Procedure Code, ss. 272F(3), (4)
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE: Trial - Sessions Court - Notes of proceedings - Two sets of notes of proceedings prepared for trial - One set of notes agreed upon by parties - Whether agreed set authenticated by Sessions Judge - Whether conviction based on agreed set - Whether based on correct notes of proceedings - Application for revision to High Court to examine records of proceedings - Whether properly and appropriately dismissed - Courts of Judicature Act 1964, ss. 31, 35 - Criminal Procedure Code, ss. 272F(3), (4)
RHODZARIAH BUJANG JCA
HAS ZANAH MEHAT JCA
ABU BAKAR JAIS JCA
- For the appellant - Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, Sarah Abishegam, New Sin Yew, Joshua Tay & Chan Yen Hui; M/s Chan Yen Hui
- For the respondent - Roz Mawar Rozain, Izuddin Mohamed & Raihana Nadhira Rafidi; DPPs (Securities Commission Malaysia)
The application to challenge the legality of the appointment of the ad hoc Senior Deputy Public Prosecutor in this case on the grounds that he was involved in the investigation process, was biased, had preconceived notions of the accused's guilt and had mala fide intents against the accused cannot possibly succeed. The allegation that the Senior DPP was involved in the investigation process cannot hold much water as such involvement, if any, was limited to directing the relevant investigating authorities to conduct further investigations if need be; and the allegation that he was prejudging the accused's guilt by calling him 'Criminal Najib' and having mala fide intents equally have little probative traction, as he was entitled to his private opinions so long as it did not impinge on his duties and so long as he was not openly biased when acting as a prosecutor. The Senior DPP, further, was merely a cog in the wheel and it would be a disservice to the Attorney General's Chambers and its officers to suggest that he alone would have absolute control over the prosecution of the accused and could manipulate the conduct of the prosecution's case to fit his agenda.
Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Hj Abdul Razak v. PP [2021] 6 CLJ 574 [HC]
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE: Prosecution - Prosecuting officer - Deputy Public Prosecutor ('DPP') - Appointment of, whether legally tainted - Whether DPP biased or entertained preconceived notions about accused's guilt - Whether involved in investigation of cases against accused - Whether having mala fide intents - Whether to be disqualified - Criminal Procedure Code, s. 376(3) - Federal Constitution, art. 145(3)
MOHAMED ZAINI MAZLAN J
- For the applicant - Shafee Abdullah & Nur Syahirah Hanapiah; M/s Shafee & Co
- For the respondent - Ahmad Akram Gharib, Mohamad Mustaffa, P Kunyalam, Rozaliana Zakaria, Nadia Zulkefli & Nur Syakirin Yaccob; DPPs
(i) A party cannot assert that a confidential document or information in its possession relates to the 'affairs of State' and thus privileged from disclosure under ss. 123 and 162 of the Evidence Act 1950 without any supporting evidence to sustain the assertion; (ii) a Chairman to a Board of Directors cannot be said to have no personal knowledge regarding negotiations entered into by the company, more so when such negotiations involved a large sum of money paid or payable to another party, as, following the basic corporate governance precepts, the final decision to proceed with the payment must have been voted by the Board chaired by the Chairman; and (iii) a resolution passed by a Board of Directors cannot hearsay to its Chairman.
Government Of State Of Sarawak v. Dato’ Sri Wong Soon Koh [2021] 6 CLJ 587 [HC]
CIVIL PROCEDURE: Subpoena - Setting aside - Application for - Application to set aside subpoena to testify and produce documents - Whether applicant compelled to testify and produce documents - Whether applicant had personal knowledge - Whether evidence were 'affairs of State', privileged from disclosure under ss. 123 & 162 of Evidence Act 1950 - Whether evidence sought related to 'affairs of State' - Whether dispute ought to be resolved in accordance with rules of politics or rules of court - Rules of Court 2012, O. 92 r. 4
CHRISTOPHER CHIN SOO YIN JC
- For the plaintiff - Mohd Adzrul Adzlan, Oliver Chua Yaw Kwang & Khairul Kabir Abdul Kadir; SLO Sarawak
- For the defendant - George Lo & Clement Wong; M/s Clement And Company Advocs
- For the applicant (Petronas) - George Lim & Christine Lim; M/s Battenberg & Talma Advocs
A joint management body does not have the power under the Strata Management Act 2013 to assume the rights of the purchasers in a housing development project upon the winding-up of the development company; it is the liquidators who will step into the shoes of the company under the Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Act 1966 to carry out the duties and obligations of the company.
Re Bandar Kinrara Properties Sdn Bhd (In Liquidation) [2021] 6 CLJ 599 [HC]
COMPANY LAW: Liquidators - Application for directions - Developer wound-up - Whether liquidator stepped into developer's shoes - Whether joint management body ('JMB') could be authorised to act on behalf of purchasers on matters under sale and purchase agreement - Obligations of developers to rectify defects in common property and application for strata titles pending - Whether liquidator duty-bound to carry out obligations of developer - Whether stakeholder sums becomes assets of company - Whether liquidator entrusted with discretion to utilise stakeholder sums - Companies Act 2016, s. 479 - Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Act 1966, s. 7A(5) and (6)
NADZARIN WOK NORDIN JC
- For the applicant liquidators - Mark Ho & Eldarius Yong; M/s Chellam Wong
- For the joint management body of Duet Residence - Henry Quah & Dwayne Pinto; M/s The Chambers of Lim Yeeu Ren
CLJ Article(s)
SOCIAL JUSTICE IS THE NUCLEUS OF THE UN CHARTER: IS THE RULE OF LAW FOR INTERNATIONAL LAW INTACT?[1] [Read excerpt]
by DATUK DR HJ HAMID SULTAN ABU BACKER* & MATTHEW JEROME VAN HUIZEN** [2016] 3 ILR(A) xix
LNS Article(s)
LEGAL AND SHARIAH GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK FOR ISLAMIC FINANCIAL SERVICES IN LUXEMBOURG* [Read excerpt]
by Apnizan Abdullah [2021] 1 LNS(A) lxxxixJUDGING THE JUDGES: REMOVAL MECHANISMS IN THE HIGHER COURTS [Read excerpt]
by Jenita Kanapathy* Dr. Nadhratul Wardah Salman** [2021] 1 LNS(A) xc
Principal Acts
Number | Title | In force from | Repealing |
ACT 831 | Finance Act 2020 | The Income Tax Act 1967 [Act 53] see s 3, the Real Property Gains Tax Act 1976 [Act 169] see s 31, the Stamp Act 1949 [Act 378] see s 39, the Petroleum (Income Tax) Act 1967 [Act 543] see s 51, the Labuan Business Activity Tax Act 1990 [Act 445] see s 55, the Finance Act 2012 [Act 742] see s 63 and the Finance Act 2018 [Act 812] see s 65 | - |
ACT 830 | Temporary Measures For Government Financing (Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)) Act 2020 | 27 February 2020 until 31 December 2022 except s 3; 26 October 2020 until 31 December 2022 - s 3 | - |
ACT 829 | Temporary Measures For Reducing The Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Act 2020 | Part I - 23 October 2020 (shall continue for a period of two years); Part II, Part III (Limitation Act 1953), Part IV (Sabah Limitation Ordinance), Part V (Sarawak Limitation Ordinance), Part VI (Public Authorities Protection Act 1948), Part IX (Consumer Protection Act 1999), Part X (Distress Act 1951) - 18 March 2020 until 31 December 2020; Part VII (Insolvency Act 1967) - 23 October 2020 until 31 August 2021; Part VIII (Hire-Purchase Act 1967) - 1 April 2020 until 31 December 2020; Part XI (Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Act 1966), Part XII (Industrial Relations Act 1967), Part XIII (Private Employment Agencies Act 1981), Part XIX - 18 March 2020; Part XIV (Land Public Transport Act 2010), Part XV (Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board Act 1987) - 1 August 2020 until 31 December 2021; Part XVI (Courts of Judicature Act 1964), Part XVII (Subordinate Courts Act 1948), Part XVIII (Subordinate Courts Rules Act 1955) - 18 March 2020 until 23 October 2020 (shall continue for a period of two years) | - |
ACT 828 | National Land Code (Revised 2020) | 15 October 2020 pursuant to paragraph 6(1)(xxiii) of the Revision of Laws Act 1968 [Act 1]; Revised up to 14 October 2020; First enacted in 1965 as Act of Parliament No 56 of 1965 | - |
ACT 827 | Currency Act 2020 | 1 October 2020 [PU(B) 476/2020] | - |
Amending Acts
Number | Title | In force from | Principal/Amending Act No |
ACT A1634 | Co-Operative Societies (Amendment) Act 2021 | 1 April 2021 [PU(B) 174/2021] | ACT 502 |
ACT A1633 | Tourism Tax (Amendment) Act 2021 | Not Yet In Force | ACT 791 |
ACT A1632 | Service Tax (Amendment) Act 2020 | 1 January 2021 [PU(B) 716/2020] | ACT 807 |
ACT A1631 | Sales Tax (Amendment) Act 2020 | 1 January 2021 [PU(B) 715/2020] | ACT 806 |
ACT A1630 | Free Zones (Amendment) Act 2020 | 1 January 2021 [PU(B) 719/2020] | ACT 438 |
PU(A)
Number | Title | Date of Publication | In force from | Principal/ Amending Act No |
PU(A) 299/2021 | Co-operative Societies (Assumption of Control of Koperasi Peneroka Felda Kemahang (1) Berhad) (Reappointment) Order 2021 | 7 July 2021 | 8 July 2021 | ACT 502 |
PU(A) 298/2021 | Dental (Amendment of Second Schedule) (No. 2) Order 2021 | 6 July 2021 | 7 July 2021 | ACT 51 |
PU(A) 297/2021 | Employees Provident Fund (Modification To The Purposes For Withdrawal Under Subsection 54(6)) (No. 2) Order 2021 - Corrigendum | 6 July 2021 | PU(A) 253/2021 | |
PU(A) 296/2021 | Dangerous Drugs (Amendment of First Schedule) Order 2021 | 5 July 2021 | 6 July 2021 | ACT 234 |
PU(A) 295/2021 | Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (Amendment of Schedule) Order 2021 | 5 July 2021 | 6 July 2021 | ACT 700 |
PU(B)
Number | Title | Date of Publication | In force from | Principal/ Amending Act No |
PU(B) 350/2021 | Returns and Statements of Election Expenses - Sabah | 7 July 2021 | 8 July 2021 | ACT 5 |
PU(B) 349/2021 | Appointment of Judges of The Syariah Subordinate Court | 7 July 2021 | 17 June 2021 | ACT 505 |
PU(B) 348/2021 | Notice of Extension of Time Period For Making Preliminary Determination | 6 July 2021 | 7 July 2021 | ACT 504 |
PU(B) 347/2021 | Notification Under Section 3 | 6 July 2021 | 19 May 2021 | ACT 166 |
PU(B) 346/2021 | Notification of Values of Crude Petroleum Oil Under Section 12 | 1 July 2021 | 2 July 2021 to 15 July 2021 | ACT 235 |
Legislation Alert
Updated
Act/Principal No. | Title | Amended by | In force from | Section amended |
AKTA 51 | Akta Pergigian 1971 | PU(A) 298/2021 | 7 Julai 2021 | Jadual Kedua |
ACT 51 | Dental Act 1971 | PU(A) 298/2021 | 7 July 2021 | Second Schedule |
PU(A) 253/2021 | Perintah Kumpulan Wang Simpanan Pekerja (Pengubahsuaian Kepada Maksud Pengeluaran Di Bawah Subseksyen 54(6)) (No. 2) 2021 | PU(A) 297/2021 | subperenggan 2(c) | |
PU(A) 253/2021 | Employees Provident Fund (Modification to the Purposes For Withdrawal Under Subsection 54(6)) (No. 2) Order 2021 | PU(A) 297/2021 | Subparagraph 2(c) | |
ACT 234 | Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 (Revised 1980) | PU(A) 296/2021 | 6 July 2021 | First Schedule |
Revoked
Act/Principal No. | Title | Revoked by | In force from |
PU(A) 278/2021 | Peraturan-Peraturan Pencegahan Dan Pengawalan Penyakit Berjangkit (Langkah-Langkah Di Dalam Kawasan Tempatan Jangkitan) (No. 4) 2021 [Dibatalkan Oleh Pu(A) 293/2021] | PU(A) 293/2021 | 5 Julai 2021 |
PU(A) 278/2021 | Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures Within Infected Local Areas) (No. 4) Regulations 2021 [Revoked By Pu(A) 293/2021] | PU(A) 293/2021 | 5 July 2021 |
PU(B) 454/2020 | Pelantikan Anggota Lembaga | PU(B) 341/2021 | 19 Jun 2021 |
PU(B) 454/2020 | Appointment of Member of the Authority | PU(B) 341/2021 | 19 June 2021 |
PU(B) 402/2016 | Appointment of Registrar | PU(B) 314/2021 | 12 April 2021 |