Delegation of the European Union to Malaysia | Human Rights Day celebrations on 10 December 2024 was marked with the launch of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Handbook, which provides guidance on turning inclusion and equity into actionable practices. Representative of Malaysia to the AICHR, Edmund Bon, shared his thoughts on how DEI could transform workplaces in Malaysia in 2025.
Sinar Harian | Hakim Mahkamah Tinggi memutuskan bahawa pertuduhan terhadap Rosmah Mansur tidak mendedahkan unsur utama kesalahan untuk pengubahan wang haram dan urus niaga yang melibatkan pengubahan wang haram. Ketika hujahan, peguam Amer Hamzah berkata, 12 pertuduhan bawah AMLA dan lima kes bawah Akta Cukai Pendapatan adalah cacat, tidak berasas, dan pramatang.
Berita Harian | Peguam Amer Hamzah Arshad berkata, pendakwaan berhak mengemukakan rayuan terhadap keputusan Mahkamah Tinggi. Selain Amer Hamzah, isteri bekas Perdana Menteri itu turut diwakili peguam Datuk Firoz Hussein Ahmad Jamaluddin, Mohamed Reza Abdul Rahim, Ravijan Nambiar, dan Joshua Tay.
New Malaysia Herald | Wife of former PM, Rosmah Mansor, was acquitted by the High Court of 17 money laundering and tax evasion charges, which her lawyers argued were defective and lacked essential elements. Her lawyers included Amer Hamzah Arshad.
Berita Harian | Mahkamah Tinggi membenarkan permohonan isteri bekas PM untuk membatalkan semua tuduhan terhadapnya atas alasan pendakwaan tidak mengemukakan unsur kesalahan dalam tuduhan. Hakim juga mengiktirafkan peguam Amer Hamzah dan Timbalan Pendakwa Raya Ahmad Akram Gharib atas kemahiran peguam yang sangat baik ketika berhujah.
The Edge Malaysia | The KL High Court ruled that charges against Rosmah Mansor were bad in law: the money-laundering charges did not specify the proceeds and transactions which show “placement, layering and integration”; the tax evasion charges overlapped with others, and are only punishable once all avenues under the Income Tax Act are exhausted. On Rosmah’s defense team is Amer Hamzah Arshard.
Free Malaysia Today | The High Court judge said merely depositing money is not tantamount to indulging in unlawful activities and committing money laundering offences, and the charges against Rosmah Mansor did not comply with the Criminal Procedure Code. Lawyers Amer Hamzah Arshad, Joshua Tay, and others represented Rosmah.
Malay Mail | The KL High Court acquitted Rosmah Mansor of 12 charges of money laundering involving RM7 million, as well as five charges of failing to declare her income to the IRB. She was represented by Amer Hamzah Arshad and Joshua Tay, among others.
Free Malaysia Today | Edmund Bon said the current crackdown on race, religion and royalty discussions not only threatens free speech but does not effectively address extremism. Bon also warned that such prohibitions might embolden groups demanding stricter censorship. As such, only expressions that incite hate or advocate violence should be prohibited.
AICHR | This timely initiative by AICHR Philippines examined the effects of the global climate emergency on indigenous groups and traditional communities, emphasising how their unique perspectives can contribute to facing this challenge head-on. The plans for the ongoing draft ASEAN Declaration on the Right to a Safe, Clean, and Sustainable Environment were also considered.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia | BHEUU, Wisma Putra, UN in Malaysia, and SUHAKAM jointly commemorated Human Rights Day with a forum with the theme, “Empowering Our Rights, Securing Our Future: Business Responsibility for People and Nation”. Edmund Bon contributed a video message as Malaysia’s representative to the AICHR.
Free Malaysia Today | An insurance agent, whose 37-year-old brother has been put on death row in Singapore for drug trafficking, submitted a memorandum to AICHR’s Malaysian representative Edmund Bon. Her brother had provided vital information to Singaporean authorities that led to arrests of suspects involved in drug syndicates but his contributions were dismissed.
New Straits Times | The Kota Baru High Court allowed an application by former PM Muhyiddin Yassin to transfer his sedition trial to the KL High Court. Lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad explained that the application was based on factors including the complexity of legal issues and the exceptional challenges particularly concerning the constitutional validity of certain provisions in the Sedition Act 1948.
Malaysiakini | Refuge for Refugees founder Heidi Quah turned to the Court of Appeal to nullify part of a law criminalising offensive online comments, arguing that section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, namely the words “offensive” and “annoy”, amounted to restrictions on free speech that beyond constitutional limits. She was represented by counsel New Sin Yew.
The Edge Malaysia | The National Baseline Assessment (NBA) on Business and Human Rights in Malaysia called for the establishment of a Ministry of Human Rights and Justice to mainstream human rights issues in all government departments. The human rights portfolio only comes under a government agency, which is the Legal Affairs Division under the Prime Minister’s Office, which is short-staffed and under-resourced. The NBA offered 173 recommendations for both
AICHR | AICHR convened the Special Meeting 2/2024 of AICHR from 13 to 15 November 2024 in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR, where human rights developments across the ASEAN region were discussed. The Meeting concluded with a handover ceremony of the AICHR Chairmanship from Lao PDR to Malaysia, represented by Edmund Bon.
The Star | Rosmah had filed to quash her 12 charges of money laundering involving more than RM7mil and five charges of failing to declare her personal income to the Inland Revenue Board. Lawyers Datuk Firoz Hussein Ahmad Jamaluddin and Amer Hamzah Arshad appeared for Rosmah, arguing that the non-declaration of income tax could never be a predicate offence on its own.
Free Malaysia Today | The High Court will decide on Dec 19 whether to allow Rosmah Mansor’s application to strike out her 17 money laundering and tax evasion charges. Lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad submitted that the charges did not disclose any offence and the foundation of the charges is shaky and unsubstantiated. Other lawyers including Joshua Tay also represented Rosmah.
Malaysiakini | The KL High Court heard oral submissions from Rosmah Mansor’s legal team, including counsel Firoz Hussein Ahmad Jamaluddin and Amer Hamzah Arshad, and the prosecution team. Rosmah’s lawyers contended that the charges under the Anti-Money Laundering Act and the Income Tax Act were baseless, defective, premature, and did not reveal any offence under the law.
AICHR | The AICHR Regional Dialogue and Consultation on Advancing Development of Environmental Rights in ASEAN was convened at the ASEAN Headquarters. Participants reaffirmed the important link between the environment and full enjoyment of human rights protection.
Delegation of the European Union to Malaysia | Human Rights Day celebrations on 10 December 2024 was marked with the launch of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Handbook, which provides guidance on turning inclusion and equity into actionable practices. Representative of Malaysia to the AICHR, Edmund Bon, shared his thoughts on how DEI could transform workplaces in Malaysia in 2025.
Sinar Harian | Hakim Mahkamah Tinggi memutuskan bahawa pertuduhan terhadap Rosmah Mansur tidak mendedahkan unsur utama kesalahan untuk pengubahan wang haram dan urus niaga yang melibatkan pengubahan wang haram. Ketika hujahan, peguam Amer Hamzah berkata, 12 pertuduhan bawah AMLA dan lima kes bawah Akta Cukai Pendapatan adalah cacat, tidak berasas, dan pramatang.
Berita Harian | Peguam Amer Hamzah Arshad berkata, pendakwaan berhak mengemukakan rayuan terhadap keputusan Mahkamah Tinggi. Selain Amer Hamzah, isteri bekas Perdana Menteri itu turut diwakili peguam Datuk Firoz Hussein Ahmad Jamaluddin, Mohamed Reza Abdul Rahim, Ravijan Nambiar, dan Joshua Tay.
New Malaysia Herald | Wife of former PM, Rosmah Mansor, was acquitted by the High Court of 17 money laundering and tax evasion charges, which her lawyers argued were defective and lacked essential elements. Her lawyers included Amer Hamzah Arshad.
Berita Harian | Mahkamah Tinggi membenarkan permohonan isteri bekas PM untuk membatalkan semua tuduhan terhadapnya atas alasan pendakwaan tidak mengemukakan unsur kesalahan dalam tuduhan. Hakim juga mengiktirafkan peguam Amer Hamzah dan Timbalan Pendakwa Raya Ahmad Akram Gharib atas kemahiran peguam yang sangat baik ketika berhujah.
The Edge Malaysia | The KL High Court ruled that charges against Rosmah Mansor were bad in law: the money-laundering charges did not specify the proceeds and transactions which show “placement, layering and integration”; the tax evasion charges overlapped with others, and are only punishable once all avenues under the Income Tax Act are exhausted. On Rosmah’s defense team is Amer Hamzah Arshard.
Free Malaysia Today | The High Court judge said merely depositing money is not tantamount to indulging in unlawful activities and committing money laundering offences, and the charges against Rosmah Mansor did not comply with the Criminal Procedure Code. Lawyers Amer Hamzah Arshad, Joshua Tay, and others represented Rosmah.
Malay Mail | The KL High Court acquitted Rosmah Mansor of 12 charges of money laundering involving RM7 million, as well as five charges of failing to declare her income to the IRB. She was represented by Amer Hamzah Arshad and Joshua Tay, among others.
Free Malaysia Today | Edmund Bon said the current crackdown on race, religion and royalty discussions not only threatens free speech but does not effectively address extremism. Bon also warned that such prohibitions might embolden groups demanding stricter censorship. As such, only expressions that incite hate or advocate violence should be prohibited.
AICHR | This timely initiative by AICHR Philippines examined the effects of the global climate emergency on indigenous groups and traditional communities, emphasising how their unique perspectives can contribute to facing this challenge head-on. The plans for the ongoing draft ASEAN Declaration on the Right to a Safe, Clean, and Sustainable Environment were also considered.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia | BHEUU, Wisma Putra, UN in Malaysia, and SUHAKAM jointly commemorated Human Rights Day with a forum with the theme, “Empowering Our Rights, Securing Our Future: Business Responsibility for People and Nation”. Edmund Bon contributed a video message as Malaysia’s representative to the AICHR.
Free Malaysia Today | An insurance agent, whose 37-year-old brother has been put on death row in Singapore for drug trafficking, submitted a memorandum to AICHR’s Malaysian representative Edmund Bon. Her brother had provided vital information to Singaporean authorities that led to arrests of suspects involved in drug syndicates but his contributions were dismissed.
New Straits Times | The Kota Baru High Court allowed an application by former PM Muhyiddin Yassin to transfer his sedition trial to the KL High Court. Lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad explained that the application was based on factors including the complexity of legal issues and the exceptional challenges particularly concerning the constitutional validity of certain provisions in the Sedition Act 1948.
Malaysiakini | Refuge for Refugees founder Heidi Quah turned to the Court of Appeal to nullify part of a law criminalising offensive online comments, arguing that section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, namely the words “offensive” and “annoy”, amounted to restrictions on free speech that beyond constitutional limits. She was represented by counsel New Sin Yew.
The Edge Malaysia | The National Baseline Assessment (NBA) on Business and Human Rights in Malaysia called for the establishment of a Ministry of Human Rights and Justice to mainstream human rights issues in all government departments. The human rights portfolio only comes under a government agency, which is the Legal Affairs Division under the Prime Minister’s Office, which is short-staffed and under-resourced. The NBA offered 173 recommendations for both
AICHR | AICHR convened the Special Meeting 2/2024 of AICHR from 13 to 15 November 2024 in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR, where human rights developments across the ASEAN region were discussed. The Meeting concluded with a handover ceremony of the AICHR Chairmanship from Lao PDR to Malaysia, represented by Edmund Bon.
The Star | Rosmah had filed to quash her 12 charges of money laundering involving more than RM7mil and five charges of failing to declare her personal income to the Inland Revenue Board. Lawyers Datuk Firoz Hussein Ahmad Jamaluddin and Amer Hamzah Arshad appeared for Rosmah, arguing that the non-declaration of income tax could never be a predicate offence on its own.
Free Malaysia Today | The High Court will decide on Dec 19 whether to allow Rosmah Mansor’s application to strike out her 17 money laundering and tax evasion charges. Lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad submitted that the charges did not disclose any offence and the foundation of the charges is shaky and unsubstantiated. Other lawyers including Joshua Tay also represented Rosmah.
Malaysiakini | The KL High Court heard oral submissions from Rosmah Mansor’s legal team, including counsel Firoz Hussein Ahmad Jamaluddin and Amer Hamzah Arshad, and the prosecution team. Rosmah’s lawyers contended that the charges under the Anti-Money Laundering Act and the Income Tax Act were baseless, defective, premature, and did not reveal any offence under the law.
AICHR | The AICHR Regional Dialogue and Consultation on Advancing Development of Environmental Rights in ASEAN was convened at the ASEAN Headquarters. Participants reaffirmed the important link between the environment and full enjoyment of human rights protection.
