Malaysiakini | The cabinet had allegedly decided to drop provisions related to the tobacco and vape ban based on age from the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023, citing Article 8 of the Federal Constitution on equality. Lawyer New Sin Yew discrimination is permitted if there is an “intelligible differentia” and if the discrimination was in pursuit of a “legitimate objective”.
BFM | Does Sirul Azhar Umar, convicted for the murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu, still face the death penalty in Malaysia? Edmund Bon shared his insights on the matter.
Free Malaysia Today | Three friends were spared the death sentence after the Court of Appeal reduced their charges from murder to culpable homicide, stating that the High Court failed to delve deeply into the provisions under section 299 of the Penal Code. Amer Hamzah Arshad represented two of the three accused, with lawyer Rajpal Singh.
The Edge Malaysia | Former Bersatu information chief Wan Saifuldin Wan Jan claimed trial to 18 counts of money laundering amounting to RM5.594 million, in relation to graft allegedly received and charged last February at another Sessions Court. He claimed trial to all charges and was represented by Datuk K. Kumaraendran, Amer Hamzah Arshad, and Chethan Jethwani.
The Edge Malaysia | Former PM Muhyiddin Yassin applied to the KL High Court for an unconditional release of his passport for a London holiday and Singapore medical check-up. Lawyers Datuk K. Kumaraendran, Amer Hamzah Arshad, and Chetan Jethwani represented Muhyiddin. He is waiting on an application to strike out three money laundering charges against him linked to the Jana Wibawa project.
New Straits Times | The court accepted a motion to quash four charges under section 18 of the MACC 2009 Act against two of GIIB Holdings Bhd’s former directors, stating that the charges were related to allegations made by a former director of finance who was dismissed for misconduct. They were represented by lawyers Kee Shu Min and Amer Hamzah Arshad.
Free Malaysia Today | Lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad said the High Court judge allowed a motion to acquit the rubber compound manufacturer’s former executive director and its former CEO. They were charged with intending to deceive audit firm Grant Thornton Malaysia PLT through the issuance of fake documents. The duo argued that the documents were not intended for the firm and hence cannot be meant to deceive.
The Edge | Two former top officials of GIIB Holdings Bhd were acquitted by the High Court of charge under sections 18 and 18(1)(c) of the MACC Act respectively, related to the furnishing of fake documents. Lawyers Amer Hamzah Arshad and Kee Shu Min had argued that the duties and responsibilities of an auditor under the Companies Act 2016 do not constitute an interest under section 18 of the MACC Act.
Malay Mail | A comprehensive report of the chronology and 2-1 judgment for this case. Lawyers Edmund Bon and Michael Cheah will seek instructions from their clients on whether to file an appeal to the Federal Court.
The Edge Malaysia | The Court of Appeal reimposed a ban on a 2013 publication following a majority 2-1 decision. While the majority judges said the minister has the right to impose the ban based on possible adverse effects, the dissenting judge found the ban unlikely to cause prejudice to public order. Counsel Edmund Bon Tai Soon and Michael Cheah appeared for the author and publisher.
The Vibes | In a split 2-1 decision, a three-member bench at the Court of Appeal allowed the government’s appeal against the High Court’s decision last year. Lawyer Edmund Bon said he would seek instructions on whether to file an appeal to the Federal Court. Michael Cheah also represented the book publisher and author.
New Straits Times | The majority ruling noted the possibility that the book may prejudice public order, moral values, and public interests, citing Article 10(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution which gives Parliament the power to make laws to restrict the freedom of expression and speech if necessary. Legal action was filed over the book ban through law firm Messrs AmerBON in 2021.
Free Malaysia Today | In a split decision, the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the government’s bid to reinstate a book ban, stating that the High Court was wrong to rely on the rights encompassed in the UDHR. Lawyer Edmund Bon said he would take instructions from his clients on whether to file an appeal in the Federal Court.
Free Malaysia Today | Two international laws leave Malaysian employees at foreign embassies vulnerable to unfair dismissal. Human rights lawyer Edmund Bon called on Putrajaya to emulate the UK, which last year proposed amendments to its State Immunity Act 1978 that will allow workers in embassies and consulates to take their employment cases to court.
Free Malaysia Today | The Court of Appeal reduced a charge of drug trafficking to one of possession for an ex-army staff. Defence counsel Amer Hamzah Arshad informed the bench that representations to the AGC for a reduction in the charge had been accepted by the prosecution.
Free Malaysia Today | Lawyer Edmund Bon had argued that there was a grave danger to public health, particularly children’s health, if liquid and gel nicotine were removed from control under the Poisons Act 1952. The AGC objected to the stay request on said exemption order, arguing that there were no special circumstances to justify stay proceedings and likening it to an injunction.
Malay Mail | Three CSOs failed in their application to temporarily restore vape liquid in the Poisons List until their judicial review is heard, but the High Court did agree to hear the lawsuit urgently. Lawyers K. Shanmuga, Kee Shu Min, and Evangeline Yii appeared for the three applicants.
CodeBlue | The High Court judge said that the applicants needed to demonstrate special circumstances to justify a stay of the exemption order on liquid nicotine. Three CSOs had filed a lawsuit, represented by legal counsel Edmund Bon, seeking to contest the order issued by the Health Minister, which had overridden unanimous objections from the Poisons Board regarding this declassification.
Free Malaysia Today | Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan is among members of the parliamentary special select committee on infrastructure making a 10-day official working visit to Japan. Lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad confirmed that the application to have the passport released was for the purpose of this trip.
Free Malaysia Today | The company director had filed an application to strike out a charge under section 16(b)(B) of the MACC Act 2009 alleging that it was flawed, unfounded, and lacked important details. Lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad represented the accused.
Malaysiakini | The cabinet had allegedly decided to drop provisions related to the tobacco and vape ban based on age from the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023, citing Article 8 of the Federal Constitution on equality. Lawyer New Sin Yew discrimination is permitted if there is an “intelligible differentia” and if the discrimination was in pursuit of a “legitimate objective”.
BFM | Does Sirul Azhar Umar, convicted for the murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu, still face the death penalty in Malaysia? Edmund Bon shared his insights on the matter.
Free Malaysia Today | Three friends were spared the death sentence after the Court of Appeal reduced their charges from murder to culpable homicide, stating that the High Court failed to delve deeply into the provisions under section 299 of the Penal Code. Amer Hamzah Arshad represented two of the three accused, with lawyer Rajpal Singh.
The Edge Malaysia | Former Bersatu information chief Wan Saifuldin Wan Jan claimed trial to 18 counts of money laundering amounting to RM5.594 million, in relation to graft allegedly received and charged last February at another Sessions Court. He claimed trial to all charges and was represented by Datuk K. Kumaraendran, Amer Hamzah Arshad, and Chethan Jethwani.
The Edge Malaysia | Former PM Muhyiddin Yassin applied to the KL High Court for an unconditional release of his passport for a London holiday and Singapore medical check-up. Lawyers Datuk K. Kumaraendran, Amer Hamzah Arshad, and Chetan Jethwani represented Muhyiddin. He is waiting on an application to strike out three money laundering charges against him linked to the Jana Wibawa project.
New Straits Times | The court accepted a motion to quash four charges under section 18 of the MACC 2009 Act against two of GIIB Holdings Bhd’s former directors, stating that the charges were related to allegations made by a former director of finance who was dismissed for misconduct. They were represented by lawyers Kee Shu Min and Amer Hamzah Arshad.
Free Malaysia Today | Lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad said the High Court judge allowed a motion to acquit the rubber compound manufacturer’s former executive director and its former CEO. They were charged with intending to deceive audit firm Grant Thornton Malaysia PLT through the issuance of fake documents. The duo argued that the documents were not intended for the firm and hence cannot be meant to deceive.
The Edge | Two former top officials of GIIB Holdings Bhd were acquitted by the High Court of charge under sections 18 and 18(1)(c) of the MACC Act respectively, related to the furnishing of fake documents. Lawyers Amer Hamzah Arshad and Kee Shu Min had argued that the duties and responsibilities of an auditor under the Companies Act 2016 do not constitute an interest under section 18 of the MACC Act.
Malay Mail | A comprehensive report of the chronology and 2-1 judgment for this case. Lawyers Edmund Bon and Michael Cheah will seek instructions from their clients on whether to file an appeal to the Federal Court.
The Edge Malaysia | The Court of Appeal reimposed a ban on a 2013 publication following a majority 2-1 decision. While the majority judges said the minister has the right to impose the ban based on possible adverse effects, the dissenting judge found the ban unlikely to cause prejudice to public order. Counsel Edmund Bon Tai Soon and Michael Cheah appeared for the author and publisher.
The Vibes | In a split 2-1 decision, a three-member bench at the Court of Appeal allowed the government’s appeal against the High Court’s decision last year. Lawyer Edmund Bon said he would seek instructions on whether to file an appeal to the Federal Court. Michael Cheah also represented the book publisher and author.
New Straits Times | The majority ruling noted the possibility that the book may prejudice public order, moral values, and public interests, citing Article 10(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution which gives Parliament the power to make laws to restrict the freedom of expression and speech if necessary. Legal action was filed over the book ban through law firm Messrs AmerBON in 2021.
Free Malaysia Today | In a split decision, the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the government’s bid to reinstate a book ban, stating that the High Court was wrong to rely on the rights encompassed in the UDHR. Lawyer Edmund Bon said he would take instructions from his clients on whether to file an appeal in the Federal Court.
Free Malaysia Today | Two international laws leave Malaysian employees at foreign embassies vulnerable to unfair dismissal. Human rights lawyer Edmund Bon called on Putrajaya to emulate the UK, which last year proposed amendments to its State Immunity Act 1978 that will allow workers in embassies and consulates to take their employment cases to court.
Free Malaysia Today | The Court of Appeal reduced a charge of drug trafficking to one of possession for an ex-army staff. Defence counsel Amer Hamzah Arshad informed the bench that representations to the AGC for a reduction in the charge had been accepted by the prosecution.
Free Malaysia Today | Lawyer Edmund Bon had argued that there was a grave danger to public health, particularly children’s health, if liquid and gel nicotine were removed from control under the Poisons Act 1952. The AGC objected to the stay request on said exemption order, arguing that there were no special circumstances to justify stay proceedings and likening it to an injunction.
Malay Mail | Three CSOs failed in their application to temporarily restore vape liquid in the Poisons List until their judicial review is heard, but the High Court did agree to hear the lawsuit urgently. Lawyers K. Shanmuga, Kee Shu Min, and Evangeline Yii appeared for the three applicants.
CodeBlue | The High Court judge said that the applicants needed to demonstrate special circumstances to justify a stay of the exemption order on liquid nicotine. Three CSOs had filed a lawsuit, represented by legal counsel Edmund Bon, seeking to contest the order issued by the Health Minister, which had overridden unanimous objections from the Poisons Board regarding this declassification.
Free Malaysia Today | Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan is among members of the parliamentary special select committee on infrastructure making a 10-day official working visit to Japan. Lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad confirmed that the application to have the passport released was for the purpose of this trip.
Free Malaysia Today | The company director had filed an application to strike out a charge under section 16(b)(B) of the MACC Act 2009 alleging that it was flawed, unfounded, and lacked important details. Lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad represented the accused.
