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National report calls for a ministry of human rights and justice

Team ABA November 21, 2024

The Edge Malaysia | The National Baseline Assessment (NBA) on Business and Human Rights in Malaysia called for the establishment of a Ministry of Human Rights and Justice to mainstream human rights issues in all government departments. The human rights portfolio only comes under a government agency, which is the Legal Affairs Division under the Prime Minister’s Office, which is short-staffed and under-resourced. The NBA offered 173 recommendations for both the government and businesses to better protect human rights.

Dec 19 decision on Rosmah’s application to quash money laundering, tax evasion case

Team ABA November 12, 2024

The Star | Rosmah had filed to quash her 12 charges of money laundering involving more than RM7mil and five charges of failing to declare her personal income to the Inland Revenue Board. Lawyers Datuk Firoz Hussein Ahmad Jamaluddin and Amer Hamzah Arshad appeared for Rosmah, arguing that the non-declaration of income tax could never be a predicate offence on its own.

Dec 19 decision on Rosmah’s bid to strike out 17 charges

Team ABA November 12, 2024

Free Malaysia Today | The High Court will decide on Dec 19 whether to allow Rosmah Mansor’s application to strike out her 17 money laundering and tax evasion charges. Lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad submitted that the charges did not disclose any offence and the foundation of the charges is shaky and unsubstantiated. Other lawyers including Joshua Tay also represented Rosmah.

Court sets Dec 19 to decide on Rosmah’s bid to quash RM7m case

Team ABA November 12, 2024

Malaysiakini | The KL High Court heard oral submissions from Rosmah Mansor’s legal team, including counsel Firoz Hussein Ahmad Jamaluddin and Amer Hamzah Arshad, and the prosecution team. Rosmah’s lawyers contended that the charges under the Anti-Money Laundering Act and the Income Tax Act were baseless, defective, premature, and did not reveal any offence under the law.

Defence applies for transfer of Muhyiddin’s case to Kota Baru High Court

Team ABA November 4, 2024

The Star | Lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad explained that the application was made due to several issues, including whether sections 3 and 4 of the Sedition Act contradict Article 10 of the Federal Constitution, restricting the freedom of speech. This case will also involve the role of the YDPA and the process by which the PM is appointed.

Ex-Malaysian Bar President Manjeet Singh Dhillon passes away

Team ABA October 28, 2024

The Star | Former Malaysian Bar President Manjeet Singh Dhillon was involved in numerous notable legal cases including the murder of cosmetics millionaire Datuk Sosilawati Lawiya. Amer Hamzah Arshad, who was a co-counsel in the case, described Manjeet as a good friend, a mentor, and an outstanding criminal lawyer with sharp cross-examination skills, who would not hesitate to share his wisdom and experience.

Jasmine Loo mum over whether accorded witness protection

Team ABA October 28, 2024

Free Malaysia Today | Jasmine Loo, a former general counsel with 1MDB, testified for 1MDB and its three subsidiaries that are suing former Prime Minister Najib Razak’s stepson Riza Aziz and two companies linked to him for misappropriation of US$148 million. AmerBON is holding a watching brief for Loo.

‘Jasmine Loo using witness protection to avoid Swiss prosecution’

Team ABA October 28, 2024

New Straits Times | Senior lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah alleged that Swiss authorities were actively seeking former 1MDB general counsel Jasmine Loo’s extradition following the corrupt dealings of the sovereign wealth fund in the country. Loo dismissed the claims and refused to answer additional questions regarding the witness protection programme, following advice from her lawyers at AmerBON.

The dark side of plastic and unearthing real solutions

Team ABA October 22, 2024

Greenpeace Malaysia | Edmund Bon called on the environment ministry to champion the ASEAN Declaration of Environmental Rights, being negotiated over the past two years, as Malaysia chairs ASEAN next year. Environment minister Nik Nazmi agreed that the Declaration is a way for us to go beyond our borders to see what we can do, together as a region.

Lawyer to testify in civil suit by Pastor Koh’s family

Team ABA October 21, 2024

The Star | A senior lawyer on the special task force on Pastor Raymond Koh and Amri Che Mat’s disappearance will appear as a witness before the High Court in a civil suit initiated by Koh’s family. He has instructed his counsel from Messrs AmerBON to apply to the court to hold a watching brief for him.

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.

National report calls for a ministry of human rights and justice

November 21, 2024

The Edge Malaysia | The National Baseline Assessment (NBA) on Business and Human Rights in Malaysia called for the establishment of a Ministry of Human Rights and Justice to mainstream human rights issues in all government departments. The human rights portfolio only comes under a government agency, which is the Legal Affairs Division under the Prime Minister’s Office, which is short-staffed and under-resourced. The NBA offered 173 recommendations for both the government and businesses to better protect human rights.

Dec 19 decision on Rosmah’s application to quash money laundering, tax evasion case

November 12, 2024

The Star | Rosmah had filed to quash her 12 charges of money laundering involving more than RM7mil and five charges of failing to declare her personal income to the Inland Revenue Board. Lawyers Datuk Firoz Hussein Ahmad Jamaluddin and Amer Hamzah Arshad appeared for Rosmah, arguing that the non-declaration of income tax could never be a predicate offence on its own.

Dec 19 decision on Rosmah’s bid to strike out 17 charges

November 12, 2024

Free Malaysia Today | The High Court will decide on Dec 19 whether to allow Rosmah Mansor’s application to strike out her 17 money laundering and tax evasion charges. Lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad submitted that the charges did not disclose any offence and the foundation of the charges is shaky and unsubstantiated. Other lawyers including Joshua Tay also represented Rosmah.

Court sets Dec 19 to decide on Rosmah’s bid to quash RM7m case

November 12, 2024

Malaysiakini | The KL High Court heard oral submissions from Rosmah Mansor’s legal team, including counsel Firoz Hussein Ahmad Jamaluddin and Amer Hamzah Arshad, and the prosecution team. Rosmah’s lawyers contended that the charges under the Anti-Money Laundering Act and the Income Tax Act were baseless, defective, premature, and did not reveal any offence under the law.

Defence applies for transfer of Muhyiddin’s case to Kota Baru High Court

November 4, 2024

The Star | Lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad explained that the application was made due to several issues, including whether sections 3 and 4 of the Sedition Act contradict Article 10 of the Federal Constitution, restricting the freedom of speech. This case will also involve the role of the YDPA and the process by which the PM is appointed.

Ex-Malaysian Bar President Manjeet Singh Dhillon passes away

October 28, 2024

The Star | Former Malaysian Bar President Manjeet Singh Dhillon was involved in numerous notable legal cases including the murder of cosmetics millionaire Datuk Sosilawati Lawiya. Amer Hamzah Arshad, who was a co-counsel in the case, described Manjeet as a good friend, a mentor, and an outstanding criminal lawyer with sharp cross-examination skills, who would not hesitate to share his wisdom and experience.

Jasmine Loo mum over whether accorded witness protection

October 28, 2024

Free Malaysia Today | Jasmine Loo, a former general counsel with 1MDB, testified for 1MDB and its three subsidiaries that are suing former Prime Minister Najib Razak’s stepson Riza Aziz and two companies linked to him for misappropriation of US$148 million. AmerBON is holding a watching brief for Loo.

‘Jasmine Loo using witness protection to avoid Swiss prosecution’

October 28, 2024

New Straits Times | Senior lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah alleged that Swiss authorities were actively seeking former 1MDB general counsel Jasmine Loo’s extradition following the corrupt dealings of the sovereign wealth fund in the country. Loo dismissed the claims and refused to answer additional questions regarding the witness protection programme, following advice from her lawyers at AmerBON.

The dark side of plastic and unearthing real solutions

October 22, 2024

Greenpeace Malaysia | Edmund Bon called on the environment ministry to champion the ASEAN Declaration of Environmental Rights, being negotiated over the past two years, as Malaysia chairs ASEAN next year. Environment minister Nik Nazmi agreed that the Declaration is a way for us to go beyond our borders to see what we can do, together as a region.

Lawyer to testify in civil suit by Pastor Koh’s family

October 21, 2024

The Star | A senior lawyer on the special task force on Pastor Raymond Koh and Amri Che Mat’s disappearance will appear as a witness before the High Court in a civil suit initiated by Koh’s family. He has instructed his counsel from Messrs AmerBON to apply to the court to hold a watching brief for him.

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.