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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 | 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
ABC News | Edmund Bon, Malaysian human rights lawyer and LoyarBurok blog contributor, told Radio Australia’s Asia Pacific that fears about the integrity of the polling process persist. Malaysia’s election commission is under fire for not acting more decisively about the reported failure of indelible ink to be used on voters’ fingers.
Edmund Bon believes social activism should be our way of life, and his approach revolves around “citizen empowerment”. He is determined to educate the public about their rights, and to convince them it is the individual’s responsibility to know the law and how it applies to their daily lives. Using the law to stand up for people’s rights motivates Bon to continue his work in social activism.
LoyarBurok | Jabatan Pendaftaran Pertubuhan Malaysia telah mengeluarkan arahan untuk peguam SUARAM, Amer Hamzah Arshad, menghadiri diri untuk sesi soal siasat. Saman di bawah seksyen 66 Akta Pertubuhan 1966 serta jawapan peguamcara Amer yang menjelaskan interpretasi seksyen 66 dilampirkan.
Malaysiakini | Suaram’s lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad called Wangsa Maju MP Wee Choo Keong’s allegation, that he had furnished false information on the human rights NGO, “false and baseless”. Amer said he viewed Wee’s allegation as defamatory and tantamount to assassination of his personal character and reputation.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 | 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
ABC News | Edmund Bon, Malaysian human rights lawyer and LoyarBurok blog contributor, told Radio Australia’s Asia Pacific that fears about the integrity of the polling process persist. Malaysia’s election commission is under fire for not acting more decisively about the reported failure of indelible ink to be used on voters’ fingers.
Edmund Bon believes social activism should be our way of life, and his approach revolves around “citizen empowerment”. He is determined to educate the public about their rights, and to convince them it is the individual’s responsibility to know the law and how it applies to their daily lives. Using the law to stand up for people’s rights motivates Bon to continue his work in social activism.
LoyarBurok | Jabatan Pendaftaran Pertubuhan Malaysia telah mengeluarkan arahan untuk peguam SUARAM, Amer Hamzah Arshad, menghadiri diri untuk sesi soal siasat. Saman di bawah seksyen 66 Akta Pertubuhan 1966 serta jawapan peguamcara Amer yang menjelaskan interpretasi seksyen 66 dilampirkan.
Malaysiakini | Suaram’s lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad called Wangsa Maju MP Wee Choo Keong’s allegation, that he had furnished false information on the human rights NGO, “false and baseless”. Amer said he viewed Wee’s allegation as defamatory and tantamount to assassination of his personal character and reputation.
