In defence of Edmund Bon

LoyarBurok | Khabir Dhillon argued that Edmund Bon had no reason not to act for Selangor MB Khalid Ibrahim in his defamation suit against The Malaysian Insider.

Selangor MB sues The Malaysian Insider over Bank Islam deal allegation

Malay Mail | Khalid Ibrahim filed a defamation suit against a local news portal for publishing two commentaries claiming he had partaken in a dubious out-of-court settlement with Bank Islam. The letter by law firm BON, Advocates said the articles had accused Khalid of reaching an out-of-court settlement through an illegal, unethical, immoral and corrupt method by using a “fixer”.

The ‘immorality’ of criminal defence lawyers

The Heat | Criminal defence lawyers have been labelled the bad guys for representing people who are charged with committing heinous crimes. The question they get asked most is “why do you defend people whom you know are guilty?” Two lawyers, Sreekant Pillai and Amer Hamzah Arshad explain their side of the story.

Bon to be a legal eagle

The Heat | As a young boy, Edmund Bon wanted to be an archaeologist or a fire fighter, but never in his wildest dream did he think he would take up legal practice. Today, the ‘accidental lawyer’ has matured into a strong proponent of human and constitutional rights in Malaysia.

Shaking up the legal profession

The Heat | The legal profession has always been seen as conservative and rigid. But one man is trying to change the public perception of lawyers by introducing progressive ideas to the decades-old line of work. Will it work in favour of clients? “We should be ready and embrace it rather than realise that by 2020, we are left behind,” Edmund Bon said.

Government’s appeal over Rights Day 2007 arrests thrown out

Malay Mail | The Court of Appeal upheld an earlier decision that the arrests of five lawyers, including Amer Hamzah Arshad, and an activist during a 2007 demonstration for human rights to be unlawful. The six were represented by lawyers Edmund Bon and Chan Yen Hui.

Bukan Islam tidak perlu patuh kepada titah Diraja atau fatwa, kata peguam

The Malaysian Insider | Bukan Islam tidak boleh didakwa di Mahkamah Syariah. Jadi mana-mana fatwa daripada Majlis Fatwa Kebangsaan tidak terpakai kepada bukan Islam, kata peguam Edmund Bon, seperti diputuskan oleh Mahkamah Persekutuan pada 2009 dalam kes Sulaiman Takrib lawan Kerajaan Negeri Terengganu; Kerajaan Malaysia (pencelah) & Kes Lain.

Non-Muslims not bound by royal decrees or fatwa on Islam, say lawyers

The Malaysian Insider | Constitutional experts say royal decrees and fatwa are not binding on non–Muslims whose religious rights are guaranteed under the Malaysia Agreement 1963. Edmund Bon pointed out that fatwa rulings or edicts were only applicable to Muslims as decided by a three-man Federal Court bench in 2009 in the case of Sulaiman Takrib.

Counsel: Minister can’t limit M’kini’s right to publication

Malaysiakini | Lawyer K. Shanmuga argued that the matter affected freedom of speech and the right to print a paper. If the Home Minister is refusing an application, he should tell why, and not only through an affidavit in 2011, after the judicial review was filed in 2010. Also appearing for Mkini Dotcom is Edmund Bon.

Malaysiakini wins, gov’t fails in appeal

Malaysiakini | The Court of Appeal unanimously dismissed the Home Ministry and government’s appeal against a High Court judgment that Malaysiakini be issued a publication permit. Lawyer Edmund Bon said the court considered that the government should not have restricted competition in not allowing Malaysiakini to be published as a newspaper.

A major victory for press freedom, says Malaysiakini

Malaysiakini | The Court of Appeal rejected the government’s appeal against the High Court ruling that publishing a newspaper is a right, not a privilege. Malaysiakini CEO and editor-in-chief thanked lawyers K. Shanmuga and Edmund Bon for arguing the case on behalf of the news outlet.

Five lawyers, activist win suit against government over arrest

Astro Awani | The court awarded Five human rights lawyers and an activist, including Amer Hamzah Arshad, each with RM10,000 in damages, and ordered the defendants to pay a total of RM60,000 in costs to all the plaintiffs. Counsel Edmund Bon, representing the six, told reporters that the ruling was a great victory for democracy and human rights.

Human Rights Walk arrests unlawful, court rules

The Edge | KL High Court judge Datuk John Louis O’Hara found the police giving confusing, conflicting, and contradictory instructions, and awarded a total of RM120,000 in damages to each of the six plaintiffs — lawyers R. Sivarasa, N. Surendran, Latheefa Koya, Eric Paulsen, and Amer Hamzah Arshad as well as human rights activist Johny Andu @ Abu Bakar Adnan. Lawyer Edmund Bon noted this is probably the last case under section 27 of the Police Act as it has been abolished, and substituted with the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

Six win suit against police and govt over illegal arrest and detention

The Star | The KL High Court judge held that the arrests and detention of five lawyers, including Amer Hamzah Arshad, and an activist by the police were unlawful, but dismissed the claim on malicious prosecution as it was the prerogative of the AG to initiate proceedings. Lead counsel Edmund Bon said the ruling was a great victory for democracy and human rights.

Six human rights defenders win case against gov’t

Malaysiakini | Edmund Bon represented six plaintiffs who filed a suit against the acting Dang Wangi OCPD, the IGP, the Home Ministry, and the government for unlawful detention and arrest. KL High Court judge John Louis O’Hara agreed that the arresting officer gave conflicting, contradictory, and confusing instructions, and the detainees were not allowed to consult a legal representative.

Police acted unlawfully in arresting lawyers, activists, court rules

The Malaysian Insider | The KL High Court ruled that Malaysian police acted unlawfully in arresting six human rights lawyers and activists, including Amer Hamzah Arshad, who took part in the Human Rights Day Walk in 2007. Counsel Edmund Bon and Chan Yen Hui represented the six. Edmund said the decision was “a great victory for social activists for the right to freedom of assembly.”

LoyarBurokking it up in Esquire Magazine!

LoyarBurok | The May 2013 edition of Esquire Malaysia featured LoyarBurok’s Edmund Bon, Fahri Azzat, New Sin Yew, and Marcus van Geyzel, as they spoke about human rights, legal practice, and LoyarBurok/MCCHR as a communal platform for any Malaysian to speak up.

Win or lose, Malaysia is changing

ABC News | Whoever wins watershed national elections on Sunday, human rights lawyer and commentator Edmund Bon said, “the political landscape of Malaysia will never be the same again.” People are more aware and different acts of dissent have ignited the imagination of the youth for a new Malaysia.

In defence of Edmund Bon

LoyarBurok | Khabir Dhillon argued that Edmund Bon had no reason not to act for Selangor MB Khalid Ibrahim in his defamation suit against The Malaysian Insider.

Selangor MB sues The Malaysian Insider over Bank Islam deal allegation

Malay Mail | Khalid Ibrahim filed a defamation suit against a local news portal for publishing two commentaries claiming he had partaken in a dubious out-of-court settlement with Bank Islam. The letter by law firm BON, Advocates said the articles had accused Khalid of reaching an out-of-court settlement through an illegal, unethical, immoral and corrupt method by using a “fixer”.

The ‘immorality’ of criminal defence lawyers

The Heat | Criminal defence lawyers have been labelled the bad guys for representing people who are charged with committing heinous crimes. The question they get asked most is “why do you defend people whom you know are guilty?” Two lawyers, Sreekant Pillai and Amer Hamzah Arshad explain their side of the story.

Bon to be a legal eagle

The Heat | As a young boy, Edmund Bon wanted to be an archaeologist or a fire fighter, but never in his wildest dream did he think he would take up legal practice. Today, the ‘accidental lawyer’ has matured into a strong proponent of human and constitutional rights in Malaysia.

Shaking up the legal profession

The Heat | The legal profession has always been seen as conservative and rigid. But one man is trying to change the public perception of lawyers by introducing progressive ideas to the decades-old line of work. Will it work in favour of clients? “We should be ready and embrace it rather than realise that by 2020, we are left behind,” Edmund Bon said.

Government’s appeal over Rights Day 2007 arrests thrown out

Malay Mail | The Court of Appeal upheld an earlier decision that the arrests of five lawyers, including Amer Hamzah Arshad, and an activist during a 2007 demonstration for human rights to be unlawful. The six were represented by lawyers Edmund Bon and Chan Yen Hui.

Bukan Islam tidak perlu patuh kepada titah Diraja atau fatwa, kata peguam

The Malaysian Insider | Bukan Islam tidak boleh didakwa di Mahkamah Syariah. Jadi mana-mana fatwa daripada Majlis Fatwa Kebangsaan tidak terpakai kepada bukan Islam, kata peguam Edmund Bon, seperti diputuskan oleh Mahkamah Persekutuan pada 2009 dalam kes Sulaiman Takrib lawan Kerajaan Negeri Terengganu; Kerajaan Malaysia (pencelah) & Kes Lain.

Non-Muslims not bound by royal decrees or fatwa on Islam, say lawyers

The Malaysian Insider | Constitutional experts say royal decrees and fatwa are not binding on non–Muslims whose religious rights are guaranteed under the Malaysia Agreement 1963. Edmund Bon pointed out that fatwa rulings or edicts were only applicable to Muslims as decided by a three-man Federal Court bench in 2009 in the case of Sulaiman Takrib.

Counsel: Minister can’t limit M’kini’s right to publication

Malaysiakini | Lawyer K. Shanmuga argued that the matter affected freedom of speech and the right to print a paper. If the Home Minister is refusing an application, he should tell why, and not only through an affidavit in 2011, after the judicial review was filed in 2010. Also appearing for Mkini Dotcom is Edmund Bon.

Malaysiakini wins, gov’t fails in appeal

Malaysiakini | The Court of Appeal unanimously dismissed the Home Ministry and government’s appeal against a High Court judgment that Malaysiakini be issued a publication permit. Lawyer Edmund Bon said the court considered that the government should not have restricted competition in not allowing Malaysiakini to be published as a newspaper.

A major victory for press freedom, says Malaysiakini

Malaysiakini | The Court of Appeal rejected the government’s appeal against the High Court ruling that publishing a newspaper is a right, not a privilege. Malaysiakini CEO and editor-in-chief thanked lawyers K. Shanmuga and Edmund Bon for arguing the case on behalf of the news outlet.

Five lawyers, activist win suit against government over arrest

Astro Awani | The court awarded Five human rights lawyers and an activist, including Amer Hamzah Arshad, each with RM10,000 in damages, and ordered the defendants to pay a total of RM60,000 in costs to all the plaintiffs. Counsel Edmund Bon, representing the six, told reporters that the ruling was a great victory for democracy and human rights.

Human Rights Walk arrests unlawful, court rules

The Edge | KL High Court judge Datuk John Louis O’Hara found the police giving confusing, conflicting, and contradictory instructions, and awarded a total of RM120,000 in damages to each of the six plaintiffs — lawyers R. Sivarasa, N. Surendran, Latheefa Koya, Eric Paulsen, and Amer Hamzah Arshad as well as human rights activist Johny Andu @ Abu Bakar Adnan. Lawyer Edmund Bon noted this is probably the last case under section 27 of the Police Act as it has been abolished, and substituted with the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

Six win suit against police and govt over illegal arrest and detention

The Star | The KL High Court judge held that the arrests and detention of five lawyers, including Amer Hamzah Arshad, and an activist by the police were unlawful, but dismissed the claim on malicious prosecution as it was the prerogative of the AG to initiate proceedings. Lead counsel Edmund Bon said the ruling was a great victory for democracy and human rights.

Six human rights defenders win case against gov’t

Malaysiakini | Edmund Bon represented six plaintiffs who filed a suit against the acting Dang Wangi OCPD, the IGP, the Home Ministry, and the government for unlawful detention and arrest. KL High Court judge John Louis O’Hara agreed that the arresting officer gave conflicting, contradictory, and confusing instructions, and the detainees were not allowed to consult a legal representative.

Police acted unlawfully in arresting lawyers, activists, court rules

The Malaysian Insider | The KL High Court ruled that Malaysian police acted unlawfully in arresting six human rights lawyers and activists, including Amer Hamzah Arshad, who took part in the Human Rights Day Walk in 2007. Counsel Edmund Bon and Chan Yen Hui represented the six. Edmund said the decision was “a great victory for social activists for the right to freedom of assembly.”

LoyarBurokking it up in Esquire Magazine!

LoyarBurok | The May 2013 edition of Esquire Malaysia featured LoyarBurok’s Edmund Bon, Fahri Azzat, New Sin Yew, and Marcus van Geyzel, as they spoke about human rights, legal practice, and LoyarBurok/MCCHR as a communal platform for any Malaysian to speak up.

Win or lose, Malaysia is changing

ABC News | Whoever wins watershed national elections on Sunday, human rights lawyer and commentator Edmund Bon said, “the political landscape of Malaysia will never be the same again.” People are more aware and different acts of dissent have ignited the imagination of the youth for a new Malaysia.