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Court acquits 2 ex-GIIB executives for issuing fake documents

Team ABA October 24, 2023

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.

Two top officials of GIIB acquitted of charges of furnishing fake documents

Team ABA October 24, 2023

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.

Appellate court bans gay book again after govt appeal

Team ABA September 25, 2023

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.

Court of Appeal restores ban on ‘Gay is OK!’ book

Team ABA September 25, 2023

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.

Court ban on ‘Gay is OK!’ book restored

Team ABA September 25, 2023

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.

Govt wins appeal to reinstate ban on ‘Gay is OK!’ book

Team ABA September 25, 2023

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.

International laws leave Malaysians vulnerable to unfair dismissal, says lawyer

Team ABA September 22, 2023

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.

Ex-army man spared death sentence, jailed for drug possession

Team ABA September 13, 2023

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.

NGOs fail in bid to stay delisting of liquid nicotine

Team ABA September 7, 2023

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.

Court denies anti-tobacco bid to suspend liquid nicotine delisting

Team ABA September 7, 2023

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.

Court releases Wan Saiful’s passport for Japan trip

Team ABA September 6, 2023

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.

Company director fails to strike out KL Tower corruption charge

Team ABA August 25, 2023

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.

Home Minister defends Swatch raids, citing public complaints

Team ABA August 22, 2023

Malaysiakini | Asked for comments on lawyer New Sin Yew’s argument that the Home Ministry had illegally raided and seized Swatch products, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail defended the move, citing public complaints and the PPPA, which is under the purview of the Home Ministry’s enforcement and control division.

Muhyiddin dilepas, bebas 4 tuduhan guna kedudukan untuk suapan RM232.5 juta

Team ABA August 15, 2023

Harian Metro | Hakim Mahkamah Tinggi berkata, “Jika perbicaraan diteruskan akan menyebabkan Muhyiddin tidak dapat menyediakan pembelaan sewajarnya dan menjadikan pendakwaan terhadapnya sebagai satu penyalahgunaan proses mahkamah.” Presiden Bersatu Muhyiddin Yassin diwakili peguam Hisyam Teh Poh Teik dan Amer Hamzah Arshad,

Muhyiddin succeeds in having abuse of power charges dropped, court rules them defective

Team ABA August 15, 2023

Malay Mail | Former PM Muhyiddin Yassin succeeded in having four abuse of power charges against him quashed, with three remaining criminal charges under the anti-money laundering act pending at the Sessions Court. The High Court ruled that the four charges did not disclose an offence under section 23(1) of the MACC Act and section 154 of the CPC.

Court allows lawsuit against Malaysia’s Health Minister on vape liquid to proceed

Team ABA August 14, 2023

Malay Mail | The High Court granted the leave for judicial review by the Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control, the Malaysian Green Lung Association, and Voice of the Children Sdn Bhd. Lawyer Edmund Bon said the group also applied for an interim stay on the Health Minister’s order so that vape liquid and vape gel will be temporarily included back under the Poisons List until the lawsuit is heard.

Court acquits 2 ex-GIIB executives for issuing fake documents

October 24, 2023

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.

Two top officials of GIIB acquitted of charges of furnishing fake documents

October 24, 2023

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.

Appellate court bans gay book again after govt appeal

September 25, 2023

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.

Court of Appeal restores ban on ‘Gay is OK!’ book

September 25, 2023

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.

Court ban on ‘Gay is OK!’ book restored

September 25, 2023

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.

Govt wins appeal to reinstate ban on ‘Gay is OK!’ book

September 25, 2023

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.

International laws leave Malaysians vulnerable to unfair dismissal, says lawyer

September 22, 2023

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.

Ex-army man spared death sentence, jailed for drug possession

September 13, 2023

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.

NGOs fail in bid to stay delisting of liquid nicotine

September 7, 2023

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.

Court denies anti-tobacco bid to suspend liquid nicotine delisting

September 7, 2023

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.

Court releases Wan Saiful’s passport for Japan trip

September 6, 2023

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.

Company director fails to strike out KL Tower corruption charge

August 25, 2023

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.

Home Minister defends Swatch raids, citing public complaints

August 22, 2023

Malaysiakini | Asked for comments on lawyer New Sin Yew’s argument that the Home Ministry had illegally raided and seized Swatch products, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail defended the move, citing public complaints and the PPPA, which is under the purview of the Home Ministry’s enforcement and control division.

Muhyiddin dilepas, bebas 4 tuduhan guna kedudukan untuk suapan RM232.5 juta

August 15, 2023

Harian Metro | Hakim Mahkamah Tinggi berkata, “Jika perbicaraan diteruskan akan menyebabkan Muhyiddin tidak dapat menyediakan pembelaan sewajarnya dan menjadikan pendakwaan terhadapnya sebagai satu penyalahgunaan proses mahkamah.” Presiden Bersatu Muhyiddin Yassin diwakili peguam Hisyam Teh Poh Teik dan Amer Hamzah Arshad,

Muhyiddin succeeds in having abuse of power charges dropped, court rules them defective

August 15, 2023

Malay Mail | Former PM Muhyiddin Yassin succeeded in having four abuse of power charges against him quashed, with three remaining criminal charges under the anti-money laundering act pending at the Sessions Court. The High Court ruled that the four charges did not disclose an offence under section 23(1) of the MACC Act and section 154 of the CPC.

Court allows lawsuit against Malaysia’s Health Minister on vape liquid to proceed

August 14, 2023

Malay Mail | The High Court granted the leave for judicial review by the Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control, the Malaysian Green Lung Association, and Voice of the Children Sdn Bhd. Lawyer Edmund Bon said the group also applied for an interim stay on the Health Minister’s order so that vape liquid and vape gel will be temporarily included back under the Poisons List until the lawsuit is heard.