Abdul Azeez’s money laundering trial postponed

New Straits Times | The High Court allowed former TH chairman Abdul Azeez’s application for a stay of court proceedings pending his appeal to have the case against him struck out. Counsel Amer Hamzah Arshad submitted that it was important for the appeal to be heard first to save the court’s time, costs, and the need to call in all the other witnesses, in the event the defence

Amend laws so public can sue water polluters, urges lawyer

Free Malaysia Today | Human rights lawyer Edmund Bon said that existing legal provisions relied on the authorities to investigate and prosecute those suspected of water pollution. He called on the courts to allow greater legal standing room to NGOs and individuals for their cases to be heard in court.

18 youths haul PM, govt to court over Undi18

Malaysiakini | 18 Malaysian youths representing the Undi18 movement filed a judicial review against the PM, the government, and the Election Commission, seeking to compel the government to implement the policy by this July. Lawyer New Sin Yew said the legal action is for the approximately 1.2 million youths, aged 18 to 20, who are currently disenfranchised.

After Undi18 pushed to 2022, 18 Malaysian youths sue PM, EC for right to vote by July

Malay Mail | 18 youths sued the Prime Minister, the federal government and the Election Commission, filing a judicial review application seeking 14 court orders including a declaration that the government’s action in delaying the lowering of voting age from 21 to 18 was irrational, illegal, disproportionate and amounts to voter suppression. Lawyer New Sin Yew represented the youths together with Lim Wei Jiet.

MPs, senators allowed to intervene in Bersih’s suit against emergency proclamation

The Edge Markets | Bersih and six others, represented by Edmund Bon, had on Feb 2 posed four questions of law to be decided in the originating summons they filed to seek the court’s declaration on the roles of Parliament and the judiciary during Malaysia’s state of emergency. The High Court allowed five lawmakers to intervene in the legal challenge.

PKR, PAS leaders allowed to intervene in NGOs’ suit against PM

Malaysiakini | The PKR duo sought to back a suit by Bersih and other NGOs against PM Muhyiddin Yassin because they were presently unable to fulfil their duties in Parliament. The PAS trio contended that the legal action would hinder the government’s efforts to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia. Edmund Bon confirmed that his clients, the NGOs, raised no objection to the intervener bids.

Author, publisher of ‘Gay is OK!’ gets green light to challenge book ban

New Straits Times | The publisher and author of the book have succeeded in obtaining leave to proceed with their legal challenge over the banning of the book. They claimed that the Home Minister had no legal and factual basis to impose the ban. Lawyer Michael Cheah Ern Tien represented the applicants.

Legal action filed over ban of book ‘Gay is Okay!’

Malaysiakini | The Home Minister and the Malaysian government have been hauled to court over a book ban that applicants claimed was irrational and disproportionate, as no untoward incidents had been triggered by the book since its publication over seven years ago. Counsel Michael Cheah said the High Court has granted leave to his clients to commence with the judicial review.

‘Undi18 can be done now through existing system, don’t delay’

Malaysiakini | Undi18 and Muda plan to secure a mandamus order to compel the government to implement voter registration for those aged 18 to 20. Lawyer New Sin Yew explained that if the lawsuit succeeds, the government would be forced to amend the Federal Constitution and lower the voting age.

PKR duo file bid to support NGOs’ legal challenge on emergency

Free Malaysia Today | Two PKR representatives filed an application to become interveners to support a suit by seven NGOs seeking a declaration on the role of Parliament and the judiciary during a state of emergency. They said the suspension of Parliament under the emergency had no effect under the Federal Constitution. Edmund Bon represented the NGOs.

PAS trio seek to oppose NGOs’ challenge over state of emergency in court

Free Malaysia Today | Three PAS representatives filed an application to oppose the suit by seven NGOs regarding the state of emergency. Representing the NGOs, lawyer Edmund Bon said his clients filed several legal questions for the Federal Court to determine, including whether the 1981 constitutional amendment to entirely oust the jurisdiction of the courts is unconstitutional.

Ex-Tabung Haji chairperson fails to have corruption case quashed

Malaysiakini | The Kuala Lumpur High Court dismissed an application by former Tabung Haji chairperson Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim to quash the corruption and money laundering charges against him. The accused’s counsel, Amer Hamzah Arshad, said they would be filing an appeal against the decision.

Malaysia court allows rights groups to challenge Myanmar deportations

Reuters | The KL High Court ruling paves the way for a full hearing on the deportations of Myanmar nationals and extends a stay barring the removal of 114 more people to Myanmar. Lawyer New Sin Yew lauded this important decision because it recognises the functions and standing of NGOs in bringing judicial review to hold the authorities accountable.

After Agong’s remarks, lawyers say still Muhyiddin’s prerogative to choose when Parliament meets

Malay Mail | While Section 14(1)(b) of the Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance 2021 empowered the YDPA to convene Parliament, it does not suspend Article 40 of the Federal Constitution which requires him to act on the advice of the PM. Nevertheless, New Sin Yew urged the PM to reconvene Parliament as soon as possible given that most activities in the country are allowed to resume operations.

Should public officials file defamation suits?

BFM | Ding Jo-Ann and New Sin Yew warn that allowing public officials to sue for defamation, going against the common law Derbyshire principle, will have a chilling effect on the freedom of speech.

Court extends order against deportation of remaining Myanmar refugees

Malaysiakini | KL High Court Judge Mariana Yahya allowed the extension of the order until March 9 against the deportation of Myanmar nationals back to the country currently facing a military coup and deadly protests. Lawyer New Sin Yew, among others, is acting for Amnesty International and Asylum Access.

Abdul Azeez’s money laundering trial postponed

New Straits Times | The High Court allowed former TH chairman Abdul Azeez’s application for a stay of court proceedings pending his appeal to have the case against him struck out. Counsel Amer Hamzah Arshad submitted that it was important for the appeal to be heard first to save the court’s time, costs, and the need to call in all the other witnesses, in the event the defence

Amend laws so public can sue water polluters, urges lawyer

Free Malaysia Today | Human rights lawyer Edmund Bon said that existing legal provisions relied on the authorities to investigate and prosecute those suspected of water pollution. He called on the courts to allow greater legal standing room to NGOs and individuals for their cases to be heard in court.

18 youths haul PM, govt to court over Undi18

Malaysiakini | 18 Malaysian youths representing the Undi18 movement filed a judicial review against the PM, the government, and the Election Commission, seeking to compel the government to implement the policy by this July. Lawyer New Sin Yew said the legal action is for the approximately 1.2 million youths, aged 18 to 20, who are currently disenfranchised.

After Undi18 pushed to 2022, 18 Malaysian youths sue PM, EC for right to vote by July

Malay Mail | 18 youths sued the Prime Minister, the federal government and the Election Commission, filing a judicial review application seeking 14 court orders including a declaration that the government’s action in delaying the lowering of voting age from 21 to 18 was irrational, illegal, disproportionate and amounts to voter suppression. Lawyer New Sin Yew represented the youths together with Lim Wei Jiet.

MPs, senators allowed to intervene in Bersih’s suit against emergency proclamation

The Edge Markets | Bersih and six others, represented by Edmund Bon, had on Feb 2 posed four questions of law to be decided in the originating summons they filed to seek the court’s declaration on the roles of Parliament and the judiciary during Malaysia’s state of emergency. The High Court allowed five lawmakers to intervene in the legal challenge.

PKR, PAS leaders allowed to intervene in NGOs’ suit against PM

Malaysiakini | The PKR duo sought to back a suit by Bersih and other NGOs against PM Muhyiddin Yassin because they were presently unable to fulfil their duties in Parliament. The PAS trio contended that the legal action would hinder the government’s efforts to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia. Edmund Bon confirmed that his clients, the NGOs, raised no objection to the intervener bids.

Author, publisher of ‘Gay is OK!’ gets green light to challenge book ban

New Straits Times | The publisher and author of the book have succeeded in obtaining leave to proceed with their legal challenge over the banning of the book. They claimed that the Home Minister had no legal and factual basis to impose the ban. Lawyer Michael Cheah Ern Tien represented the applicants.

Legal action filed over ban of book ‘Gay is Okay!’

Malaysiakini | The Home Minister and the Malaysian government have been hauled to court over a book ban that applicants claimed was irrational and disproportionate, as no untoward incidents had been triggered by the book since its publication over seven years ago. Counsel Michael Cheah said the High Court has granted leave to his clients to commence with the judicial review.

‘Undi18 can be done now through existing system, don’t delay’

Malaysiakini | Undi18 and Muda plan to secure a mandamus order to compel the government to implement voter registration for those aged 18 to 20. Lawyer New Sin Yew explained that if the lawsuit succeeds, the government would be forced to amend the Federal Constitution and lower the voting age.

PKR duo file bid to support NGOs’ legal challenge on emergency

Free Malaysia Today | Two PKR representatives filed an application to become interveners to support a suit by seven NGOs seeking a declaration on the role of Parliament and the judiciary during a state of emergency. They said the suspension of Parliament under the emergency had no effect under the Federal Constitution. Edmund Bon represented the NGOs.

PAS trio seek to oppose NGOs’ challenge over state of emergency in court

Free Malaysia Today | Three PAS representatives filed an application to oppose the suit by seven NGOs regarding the state of emergency. Representing the NGOs, lawyer Edmund Bon said his clients filed several legal questions for the Federal Court to determine, including whether the 1981 constitutional amendment to entirely oust the jurisdiction of the courts is unconstitutional.

Ex-Tabung Haji chairperson fails to have corruption case quashed

Malaysiakini | The Kuala Lumpur High Court dismissed an application by former Tabung Haji chairperson Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim to quash the corruption and money laundering charges against him. The accused’s counsel, Amer Hamzah Arshad, said they would be filing an appeal against the decision.

Malaysia court allows rights groups to challenge Myanmar deportations

Reuters | The KL High Court ruling paves the way for a full hearing on the deportations of Myanmar nationals and extends a stay barring the removal of 114 more people to Myanmar. Lawyer New Sin Yew lauded this important decision because it recognises the functions and standing of NGOs in bringing judicial review to hold the authorities accountable.

After Agong’s remarks, lawyers say still Muhyiddin’s prerogative to choose when Parliament meets

Malay Mail | While Section 14(1)(b) of the Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance 2021 empowered the YDPA to convene Parliament, it does not suspend Article 40 of the Federal Constitution which requires him to act on the advice of the PM. Nevertheless, New Sin Yew urged the PM to reconvene Parliament as soon as possible given that most activities in the country are allowed to resume operations.

Should public officials file defamation suits?

BFM | Ding Jo-Ann and New Sin Yew warn that allowing public officials to sue for defamation, going against the common law Derbyshire principle, will have a chilling effect on the freedom of speech.

Court extends order against deportation of remaining Myanmar refugees

Malaysiakini | KL High Court Judge Mariana Yahya allowed the extension of the order until March 9 against the deportation of Myanmar nationals back to the country currently facing a military coup and deadly protests. Lawyer New Sin Yew, among others, is acting for Amnesty International and Asylum Access.