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Special task force member Roger Tan to take the stand as witness in civil suit on Pastor Raymond Koh’s disappearance

Team ABA October 21, 2024

Malay Mail | Senior lawyer Roger Tan, a member of the special task force on Pastor Raymond Koh and Amri Che Mat’s disappearance, confirmed he will testify as a witness in court. He instructed his legal counsel from Messrs AmerBON to hold a watching brief. Koh was abducted by a group of masked men while driving in Kelana Jaya, Selangor, on February 13, 2017, while Amri disappeared on November 24, 2016.

Technician turns to ASEAN rights commission to help secure son’s release

Team ABA October 11, 2024

Free Malaysia Today | A technician’s son was allegedly duped by a drug trafficking syndicate when he went to Phnom Penh in 2016 before being arrested by police at a hotel there and sentenced to 25 years in prison and fined RM45,000. With SUARAM, the father handed a memorandum to AICHR’s Malaysian representative Edmund Bon. Bon said they will try to start bilateral discussions with Cambodia on options available.

As new chair, Bon aims to get ASEAN human rights body some teeth

Team ABA October 11, 2024

Malaysiakini | Next year, Malaysia will take the helm of ASEAN. Newly appointed country representative to the AICHR, Edmund Bon, stressed the need for a more robust protection mechanism, one that would allow AICHR to investigate human rights abuses and receive formal complaints, and is capable of holding member states accountable for violations.

Orang Asli woman fails to challenge religious status as Muslim

Team ABA October 3, 2024

Free Malaysia Today | The Court of Appeal was of the view that the Shariah Court was the proper forum to determine an Orang Asli woman’s religious status, as the case involved a renunciation of faith. She was represented by Surendra Ananth and New Sin Yew.

Muhyiddin pleads not guilty to sedition

Team ABA August 27, 2024

New Straits Times | Defense lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad argued that imposing a bail of RM5,000 is sufficient and that there was no need to impose a gag order against his client since the issue was already public knowledge.

Hamzah: Sedition charges against Muhyiddin are attempts to silence PN leaders

Team ABA August 27, 2024

New Straits Times | Opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin condemned the sedition charges against Muhyiddin Yassin as mere political tools aimed at persecuting PN leaders. The charges, framed under section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948, carry a maximum penalty of a RM5,000 fine, three years’ imprisonment, or both if convicted. Counsel Amer Hamzah represented Muhyiddin.

Muhyiddin claims trial to sedition charge

Team ABA August 27, 2024

Free Malaysia Today | PN Chairman Muhyiddin Yassin’s remarks about the former Yang di-Pertuan Agong led to 50 police reports being lodged against him. He also received a rebuke from the Pahang palace. Muhyiddin was represented by Amer Hamzah Arshad and four other lawyers.

Muhyiddin claims trial after being hit with sedition charge

Team ABA August 27, 2024

The Edge Malaysia | Former PM Muhyiddin Yasin was charged with sedition after he allegedly questioned the then 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s discretion in not summoning him to form the government when he claimed to have the support of 115 members of Parliament after the 15th General Election. He was represented by Amer Hamzah Arshad, Chethan Jethwani, and Datuk Seri Takiyiddin Hassan.

Muhyiddin claims trial to sedition charge

Team ABA August 27, 2024

Malaysiakini | Perikatan Nasional chief Muhyiddin Yassin has pleaded not guilty and claimed trial to a sedition charge under section 4(1) of the Sedition Act over a speech he gave in Felda Perasu, Kelantan, on 14 Aug 2024. Muhyiddin’s legal team includes Amer Hamzah Arshad.

DPRU Q&As: Edmund Bon, Lawyer, Malaysia

Team ABA August 19, 2024

Oxford Law Blogs | DPRU Project Manager Daniel Cullen speaks to Edmund Bon, a Malaysian human rights lawyer, about his commitment to working on human rights issues, his experiences of representing clients in capital cases, the recent abolition of the mandatory death penalty in Malaysia and the potential barriers to the full abolition of capital punishment. 

NGOs: Persist with push for peace

Team ABA August 19, 2024

The Star | Malaysia’s representative to the AICHR, Edmund Bon Tai Soon, offered several suggestions on the measures that can be taken to commemorate World Humanitarian Day. He said the country should look into signing up to the International Criminal Court (ICC), make genocide and torture a crime under Malaysian law, and fully recognise the status of refugees.

Teenagers ordered to enter defence on murder charge

Team ABA August 12, 2024

The Star | The Court of Appeal found that the prosecution had successfully established a prima facie case against two teenagers and the element of intent to commit murder of a seven-year-old at a tahfiz centre five years ago. The teenagers were represented by Amer Hamzah Arshad, Joshua Tay H’ng Foong, and Lee Yee Woei.

Dua remaja diarah bela diri atas pertuduhan bunuh Mohammad Aimin

Team ABA August 12, 2024

Sinar Harian | Mahkamah Rayuan hari ini memerintahkan dua remaja untuk membela diri atas pertuduhan asal membunuh seorang kanak-kanak di sebuah pusat tahfiz hampir lima tahun lepas. Remaja itu diwakili Amer Hamzah Arshad, Joshua Tay H’ng Foong dan Lee Yee Woei.

MUDA Sec-Gen wins bid to refer constitutional question to Federal Court

Team ABA August 8, 2024

The Star | MUDA secretary general Amir Hariri Abd Hadiwanted the Federal Court to determine whether section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 violates the right to freedom of assembly under the Federal Constitution. Amir was represented by lawyers Joshua Tay and Beatrice Chin.

Press release of the Special Meeting 1/2024 of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR)

Team ABA July 29, 2024

AICHR | The AICHR’s Special Meeting 1/2024 discussed the implementation of AICHR’s Priority Programmes/Activities — including business and human rights; the right to a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment; trafficking in persons; and implementation of Universal Periodic Review (UPR) recommendations — along with the Five-Year Work Plan of AICHR for 2026-2030.

Appeals court sentences cadet Zulfarhan’s murderers to death

Team ABA July 23, 2024

Free Malaysia Today | The COA imposed the death sentence on six former UPNM students convicted of murdering a navy cadet seven years ago, and sentenced 12 other former students to four years in prison for assaulting the victim. Defence lawyers Hisyam Teh and Amer Hamzah Arshad said they were disappointed with the decision and sentence.

Six ex-students sentenced to death over navy cadet’s murder

Team ABA July 23, 2024

Malaysiakini | The Court of Appeal sentenced six former UPNM students to death for murder, ruling that the initial 18-year jail sentence imposed by the High Court was insufficient due to the viciousness of the crime. Amer Hamzah Arshad, lawyer for some of the accused, said they would appeal to the Federal Court.

Special task force member Roger Tan to take the stand as witness in civil suit on Pastor Raymond Koh’s disappearance

October 21, 2024

Malay Mail | Senior lawyer Roger Tan, a member of the special task force on Pastor Raymond Koh and Amri Che Mat’s disappearance, confirmed he will testify as a witness in court. He instructed his legal counsel from Messrs AmerBON to hold a watching brief. Koh was abducted by a group of masked men while driving in Kelana Jaya, Selangor, on February 13, 2017, while Amri disappeared on November 24, 2016.

Technician turns to ASEAN rights commission to help secure son’s release

October 11, 2024

Free Malaysia Today | A technician’s son was allegedly duped by a drug trafficking syndicate when he went to Phnom Penh in 2016 before being arrested by police at a hotel there and sentenced to 25 years in prison and fined RM45,000. With SUARAM, the father handed a memorandum to AICHR’s Malaysian representative Edmund Bon. Bon said they will try to start bilateral discussions with Cambodia on options available.

As new chair, Bon aims to get ASEAN human rights body some teeth

October 11, 2024

Malaysiakini | Next year, Malaysia will take the helm of ASEAN. Newly appointed country representative to the AICHR, Edmund Bon, stressed the need for a more robust protection mechanism, one that would allow AICHR to investigate human rights abuses and receive formal complaints, and is capable of holding member states accountable for violations.

Orang Asli woman fails to challenge religious status as Muslim

October 3, 2024

Free Malaysia Today | The Court of Appeal was of the view that the Shariah Court was the proper forum to determine an Orang Asli woman’s religious status, as the case involved a renunciation of faith. She was represented by Surendra Ananth and New Sin Yew.

Muhyiddin pleads not guilty to sedition

August 27, 2024

New Straits Times | Defense lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad argued that imposing a bail of RM5,000 is sufficient and that there was no need to impose a gag order against his client since the issue was already public knowledge.

Hamzah: Sedition charges against Muhyiddin are attempts to silence PN leaders

August 27, 2024

New Straits Times | Opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin condemned the sedition charges against Muhyiddin Yassin as mere political tools aimed at persecuting PN leaders. The charges, framed under section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948, carry a maximum penalty of a RM5,000 fine, three years’ imprisonment, or both if convicted. Counsel Amer Hamzah represented Muhyiddin.

Muhyiddin claims trial to sedition charge

August 27, 2024

Free Malaysia Today | PN Chairman Muhyiddin Yassin’s remarks about the former Yang di-Pertuan Agong led to 50 police reports being lodged against him. He also received a rebuke from the Pahang palace. Muhyiddin was represented by Amer Hamzah Arshad and four other lawyers.

Muhyiddin claims trial after being hit with sedition charge

August 27, 2024

The Edge Malaysia | Former PM Muhyiddin Yasin was charged with sedition after he allegedly questioned the then 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s discretion in not summoning him to form the government when he claimed to have the support of 115 members of Parliament after the 15th General Election. He was represented by Amer Hamzah Arshad, Chethan Jethwani, and Datuk Seri Takiyiddin Hassan.

Muhyiddin claims trial to sedition charge

August 27, 2024

Malaysiakini | Perikatan Nasional chief Muhyiddin Yassin has pleaded not guilty and claimed trial to a sedition charge under section 4(1) of the Sedition Act over a speech he gave in Felda Perasu, Kelantan, on 14 Aug 2024. Muhyiddin’s legal team includes Amer Hamzah Arshad.

DPRU Q&As: Edmund Bon, Lawyer, Malaysia

August 19, 2024

Oxford Law Blogs | DPRU Project Manager Daniel Cullen speaks to Edmund Bon, a Malaysian human rights lawyer, about his commitment to working on human rights issues, his experiences of representing clients in capital cases, the recent abolition of the mandatory death penalty in Malaysia and the potential barriers to the full abolition of capital punishment. 

NGOs: Persist with push for peace

August 19, 2024

The Star | Malaysia’s representative to the AICHR, Edmund Bon Tai Soon, offered several suggestions on the measures that can be taken to commemorate World Humanitarian Day. He said the country should look into signing up to the International Criminal Court (ICC), make genocide and torture a crime under Malaysian law, and fully recognise the status of refugees.

Teenagers ordered to enter defence on murder charge

August 12, 2024

The Star | The Court of Appeal found that the prosecution had successfully established a prima facie case against two teenagers and the element of intent to commit murder of a seven-year-old at a tahfiz centre five years ago. The teenagers were represented by Amer Hamzah Arshad, Joshua Tay H’ng Foong, and Lee Yee Woei.

Dua remaja diarah bela diri atas pertuduhan bunuh Mohammad Aimin

August 12, 2024

Sinar Harian | Mahkamah Rayuan hari ini memerintahkan dua remaja untuk membela diri atas pertuduhan asal membunuh seorang kanak-kanak di sebuah pusat tahfiz hampir lima tahun lepas. Remaja itu diwakili Amer Hamzah Arshad, Joshua Tay H’ng Foong dan Lee Yee Woei.

MUDA Sec-Gen wins bid to refer constitutional question to Federal Court

August 8, 2024

The Star | MUDA secretary general Amir Hariri Abd Hadiwanted the Federal Court to determine whether section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 violates the right to freedom of assembly under the Federal Constitution. Amir was represented by lawyers Joshua Tay and Beatrice Chin.

Press release of the Special Meeting 1/2024 of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR)

July 29, 2024

AICHR | The AICHR’s Special Meeting 1/2024 discussed the implementation of AICHR’s Priority Programmes/Activities — including business and human rights; the right to a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment; trafficking in persons; and implementation of Universal Periodic Review (UPR) recommendations — along with the Five-Year Work Plan of AICHR for 2026-2030.

Appeals court sentences cadet Zulfarhan’s murderers to death

July 23, 2024

Free Malaysia Today | The COA imposed the death sentence on six former UPNM students convicted of murdering a navy cadet seven years ago, and sentenced 12 other former students to four years in prison for assaulting the victim. Defence lawyers Hisyam Teh and Amer Hamzah Arshad said they were disappointed with the decision and sentence.

Six ex-students sentenced to death over navy cadet’s murder

July 23, 2024

Malaysiakini | The Court of Appeal sentenced six former UPNM students to death for murder, ruling that the initial 18-year jail sentence imposed by the High Court was insufficient due to the viciousness of the crime. Amer Hamzah Arshad, lawyer for some of the accused, said they would appeal to the Federal Court.