The Sun | Three NGOs filed a judicial review application to quash the order made by the Health Minister to remove nicotine from the list of controlled substances. Counsel Edmund Bon submitted that the newly passed bill controlling smoking products has yet to be ratified into law by the Dewan Negara. There is as yet no law against the sale of liquid nicotine products to children.
Focus Malaysia | Counsel Edmund Bon, representing three health-related NGOs, pointed out that at the time of Health Minister Dr Zaliha’s decision on March 31, there was no law forbidding the sale of nicotine-containing vapes and e-cigarettes to children.
Free Malaysia Today | Lawyer Edmund Bon said that the Health Minister’s decision to declassify liquid nicotine as a scheduled poison had failed to take into consideration the rights of children or the country’s obligations under the WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Earlier media reports had highlighted that candy laced with nicotine was being sold openly to children.
CodeBlue | Anti-tobacco groups argued in the High Court here today that passage of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023 was irrelevant to the declassification of liquid nicotine from the Poisons List. Counsel Edmund Bon said that we cannot rely on any statements by the government in relation to this judicial review proceedings because nothing is certain.
Malaysiakini | Counsel Edmund Bon represented the three NGOS behind the judicial review — the Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control, the Malaysian Green Lung Association, and Voice of the Children. He argued that the Health Minister’s decision would lead to the sale of nicotine-containing vape and e-cigarettes to children because there was no law forbidding it, pending the Dewan Negara’s deliberation on the new bill.
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.
While the AHRD has provided a platform for dialogue on human rights and has facilitated certain engagement initiatives, its limitations underscore ASEAN’s ongoing challenges in prioritising human rights. These shortcomings raise significant questions about the AHRD’s relevance and its overall impact within the ASEAN region.
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 | 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.
Legislating for mandatory due diligence on human rights, labour, environmental, and governance matters is the right thing to do.
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.
CodeBlue | The High Court granted leave to three CSOs to pursue judicial review of the Health Minister’s order exempting liquid nicotine from the Poisons List. Counsel Edmund Bon and others argued that the liquid nicotine exemption exposed children to the unfettered purchase of e-cigarettes and vapes, due to a lack of regulations prohibiting sales to minors.
Malaysiakini | During the RM2.28 billion 1MDB corruption trial of former PM Najib Razak, KL High Court judge Collin Sequerah disclosed that he used to be law firm partners with now detained 1MDB-linked fugitive Jasmine Loo 10-15 years ago. Loo surrendered herself and, through her lawyers from AmerBON, said she would assist authorities in expediting asset recovery efforts.
The Sun | Three NGOs filed a judicial review application to quash the order made by the Health Minister to remove nicotine from the list of controlled substances. Counsel Edmund Bon submitted that the newly passed bill controlling smoking products has yet to be ratified into law by the Dewan Negara. There is as yet no law against the sale of liquid nicotine products to children.
Focus Malaysia | Counsel Edmund Bon, representing three health-related NGOs, pointed out that at the time of Health Minister Dr Zaliha’s decision on March 31, there was no law forbidding the sale of nicotine-containing vapes and e-cigarettes to children.
Free Malaysia Today | Lawyer Edmund Bon said that the Health Minister’s decision to declassify liquid nicotine as a scheduled poison had failed to take into consideration the rights of children or the country’s obligations under the WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Earlier media reports had highlighted that candy laced with nicotine was being sold openly to children.
CodeBlue | Anti-tobacco groups argued in the High Court here today that passage of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023 was irrelevant to the declassification of liquid nicotine from the Poisons List. Counsel Edmund Bon said that we cannot rely on any statements by the government in relation to this judicial review proceedings because nothing is certain.
Malaysiakini | Counsel Edmund Bon represented the three NGOS behind the judicial review — the Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control, the Malaysian Green Lung Association, and Voice of the Children. He argued that the Health Minister’s decision would lead to the sale of nicotine-containing vape and e-cigarettes to children because there was no law forbidding it, pending the Dewan Negara’s deliberation on the new bill.
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.
While the AHRD has provided a platform for dialogue on human rights and has facilitated certain engagement initiatives, its limitations underscore ASEAN’s ongoing challenges in prioritising human rights. These shortcomings raise significant questions about the AHRD’s relevance and its overall impact within the ASEAN region.
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 | 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.
Legislating for mandatory due diligence on human rights, labour, environmental, and governance matters is the right thing to do.
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.
CodeBlue | The High Court granted leave to three CSOs to pursue judicial review of the Health Minister’s order exempting liquid nicotine from the Poisons List. Counsel Edmund Bon and others argued that the liquid nicotine exemption exposed children to the unfettered purchase of e-cigarettes and vapes, due to a lack of regulations prohibiting sales to minors.
Malaysiakini | During the RM2.28 billion 1MDB corruption trial of former PM Najib Razak, KL High Court judge Collin Sequerah disclosed that he used to be law firm partners with now detained 1MDB-linked fugitive Jasmine Loo 10-15 years ago. Loo surrendered herself and, through her lawyers from AmerBON, said she would assist authorities in expediting asset recovery efforts.
