Media 2026

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The Limitations of AICHR’s Non-Binding Procedures and the Prospect for Change by 2030

Team ABA February 19, 2026

Just Security | The proposal by Edmund Bon, Representative of Malaysia to AICHR, for a more assertive AICHR with binding procedures reflects growing regional recognition of the limitations inherent in ASEAN’s non-binding, politically driven human rights framework. His call for legally binding regional instruments responds directly to the acknowledged absence of enforceable ASEAN agreements.

Shamsul Iskandar mohon kes dipindahkan ke Mahkamah Tinggi

Team ABA February 16, 2026

Harian Metro | Bekas Setiausaha Politik Kanan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin memohon supaya lima tuduhan rasuah yang dihadapinya dibicarakan di Mahkamah Tinggi kerana pertuduhan terhadapnya membabitkan persoalan undang-undang dan isu yang kompleks. Beliau diwakili peguam Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad dan Joshua Tay.

Shamsul Iskandar seeks transfer of graft cases to High Court, April 9 hearing date set

Team ABA February 16, 2026

The Edge Malaysia | Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin has applied to transfer his five graft charges from the Sessions Court to the High Court because his case involves complex constitutional and legal issues, and a High Court trial would allow appeals up to the Federal Court. He was represented by counsel Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad and Joshua Tay.

What is behind 60% spike in Malaysia court cases and can judges keep up?

Team ABA February 13, 2026

CNA | Lawyers and experts weigh in on why the number of court cases has shot up, and the implications for Malaysia’s justice system. Lawyer Edmund Bon believes that the rise sometimes means that justice served may be too rushed, with judges not having sufficient time to delve deeply into the cases and stakeholders being limited to succeeding or failing on only a few issues.

Federal Court declines Muhyiddin’s referral of constitutional questions in sedition case

Team ABA February 9, 2026

New Straits Times | The Federal Court declined to answer constitutional questions posed by former PM Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in his sedition case, ruling that the issues could be dealt with by the KL High Court at trial. Muhyiddin can then still appeal to the Court of Appeal and the Federal Court. His legal team includes Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad, Joshua Tay, and Lee Yee Woei.

Kes hasutan Muhyiddin dikembalikan ke Mahkamah Tinggi

Team ABA February 9, 2026

Astro Awani | Mahkamah Persekutuan hari ini mengembalikan kes hasutan bekas Perdana Menteri Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin ke Mahkamah Tinggi untuk dibicarakan, selepas menolak untuk menjawab empat persoalan undang-undang yang dikemukakan pihak pembelaan. Pihak pembelaan Muhyiddin termasuk Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad, Joshua Tay, dan Lee Yee Woei.

Muhyiddin’s sedition case back to High Court for trial, as apex bench declines to answer referral

Team ABA February 9, 2026

The Edge Malaysia | The Federal Court declined to answer the four referral questions in Muhyiddin Yassin’s sedition case, and remitted the matter back to the High Court for trial. Muhyiddin’s lead counsel Amer Hamzah Arshad agreed not to proceed with the referral after consulting with Muhyiddin and the prosecution. The legal team includes Joshua Tay and Lee Yee Woei.

Federal Court remits Muhyiddin’s sedition questions back to High Court

Team ABA February 9, 2026

Malaysiakini | Muhyiddin Yassin’s legal team heeded the Federal Court’s advice to consider if the legal issues relating to the Sedition Act 1948 should be determined by the High Court, in order to preserve the avenues for appeal. The team, headed by Amer Hamzah Arshad, includes Joshua Tay and Lee Yee Woei.

Apex court sends Muhyiddin’s sedition case to High Court for trial

Team ABA February 9, 2026

Free Malaysia Today | The Federal Court remitted Muhyiddin Yassin’s sedition case for trial in the High Court after a five-member bench declined to answer the constitutional questions posed by the ex-PM, stating that the questions could be raised before the trial judge. Muhyiddin’s legal team includes Amer Hamzah Arshad, Joshua Tay, and Lee Yee Woei.

Lawyers: Federal Court’s ‘pivotal’ ruling raises bar for prosecuting Malaysians over offensive online remarks

Team ABA February 6, 2026

Malay Mail | The Federal Court ruled that the government has to meet higher standards before it can charge a Malaysian with “offensive” online remarks with the “intent to annoy” under section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act. Activist Heidy Quah’s lawyer New Sin Yew said that the Federal Court has now made clear that such action cannot be taken against political speeches.

Section 233 of CMA serves purpose in multiracial society: Federal Court

Team ABA February 6, 2026

Scoop | The Federal Court decided there was no basis to prosecute activist Heidy Quah under section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act, as her Facebook post did not amount to a communication that was “offensive with intent to annoy”, as the content was not offensive and the mens rea element of “intent to annoy” was absent. Quah’s legal team included lawyer New Sin Yew.

Online speech restrictions constitutional, rules apex court

Team ABA February 6, 2026

Free Malaysia Today | The Federal Court ruled that there was no basis to prosecute activist Heidy Quah on the grounds that a Facebook post she had made was “offensive” and communicated “with intent to annoy”, although those words under section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 were constitutional. Heidy Quah’s legal team included New Sin Yew.

Federal Court restores ‘annoyance’ offence in communications law

Team ABA February 6, 2026

Malaysiakini | The Federal Court has reinstated a provision in the Communications and Multimedia Act that criminalises content that “annoys” or is “offensive”. However, the court affirmed the Court of Appeal’s decision that activist Heidy Quah should not have been charged under the provision in September 2021 for her Facebook post. New Sin Yew, among others, represented Quah.

Joint press release: 5th Interface Meeting between the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC)

Team ABA February 6, 2026

AICHR | The 5th Interface Meeting between AICHR and ACWC was chaired by Edmund Bon, AICHR Chair and Representative of Malaysia to AICHR. It continued AICHR and ACWC’s constructive cooperation on the promotion and protection of the rights of women and children in the region.

2nd ASEAN Dialogue on Human Rights and Policing, 26–27 January 2026

Team ABA February 2, 2026

AICHR | The 2nd ASEAN Dialogue on Human Rights and Policing convened by AICHR aimed to advance practical cooperation on human rights-based policing across ASEAN. Participants discussed regional and national approaches to strengthening integrity, accountability, and professionalism in policing, including integrity mechanisms, and policing vulnerable groups and crisis situations.

Court to rule on Muhyiddin’s 2021 advice to suspend Parliament

Team ABA January 9, 2026

Free Malaysia Today | The High Court has fixed 29 April 2026 to deliver its decision in a judicial review case brought by two government backbenchers challenging former PM Muhyiddin Yassin’s advice that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong suspend Parliament in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. New Sin Yew acted for BERSIH, a co-applicant.

Lima kes rasuah dihadapi Shamsul Iskandar dibicarakan bersama

Team ABA January 8, 2026

Bernama | Kes rasuah Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin di Mahkamah Sesyen Shah Alam akan dibicarakan bersama empat lagi pertuduhan rasuah melibatkan kelulusan lesen penerokaan mineral di Sabah yang dihadapinya di Mahkamah Sesyen di Kuala Lumpur. Pihak pembelaan beliau termasuk Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad dan Joshua Tay.

Shamsul Iskandar kemuka permohonan pindah pertuduhan rasuah ke Mahkamah Tinggi

Team ABA January 8, 2026

Sinar Harian | Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin membuat permohonan untuk memindahkan pertuduhan rasuah yang dihadapinya ke Mahkamah Tinggi kerana ingin membangkitkan isu berkaitan undang-undang melibatkan pertuduhan terhadapnya di peringkat Mahkamah Tinggi. Pihak pembelaan beliau termasuk Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad dan Joshua Tay.

Shamsul Iskandar’s five corruption cases to be tried together

Team ABA January 8, 2026

The Star | Five corruption case involving Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, all linked to the approval of a mineral exploration licence in Sabah, will be tried together at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court. Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad and Joshua Tay represent the former senior political secretary to the Prime Minister.

The Limitations of AICHR’s Non-Binding Procedures and the Prospect for Change by 2030

February 19, 2026

Just Security | The proposal by Edmund Bon, Representative of Malaysia to AICHR, for a more assertive AICHR with binding procedures reflects growing regional recognition of the limitations inherent in ASEAN’s non-binding, politically driven human rights framework. His call for legally binding regional instruments responds directly to the acknowledged absence of enforceable ASEAN agreements.

Shamsul Iskandar mohon kes dipindahkan ke Mahkamah Tinggi

February 16, 2026

Harian Metro | Bekas Setiausaha Politik Kanan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin memohon supaya lima tuduhan rasuah yang dihadapinya dibicarakan di Mahkamah Tinggi kerana pertuduhan terhadapnya membabitkan persoalan undang-undang dan isu yang kompleks. Beliau diwakili peguam Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad dan Joshua Tay.

Shamsul Iskandar seeks transfer of graft cases to High Court, April 9 hearing date set

February 16, 2026

The Edge Malaysia | Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin has applied to transfer his five graft charges from the Sessions Court to the High Court because his case involves complex constitutional and legal issues, and a High Court trial would allow appeals up to the Federal Court. He was represented by counsel Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad and Joshua Tay.

What is behind 60% spike in Malaysia court cases and can judges keep up?

February 13, 2026

CNA | Lawyers and experts weigh in on why the number of court cases has shot up, and the implications for Malaysia’s justice system. Lawyer Edmund Bon believes that the rise sometimes means that justice served may be too rushed, with judges not having sufficient time to delve deeply into the cases and stakeholders being limited to succeeding or failing on only a few issues.

Federal Court declines Muhyiddin’s referral of constitutional questions in sedition case

February 9, 2026

New Straits Times | The Federal Court declined to answer constitutional questions posed by former PM Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in his sedition case, ruling that the issues could be dealt with by the KL High Court at trial. Muhyiddin can then still appeal to the Court of Appeal and the Federal Court. His legal team includes Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad, Joshua Tay, and Lee Yee Woei.

Kes hasutan Muhyiddin dikembalikan ke Mahkamah Tinggi

February 9, 2026

Astro Awani | Mahkamah Persekutuan hari ini mengembalikan kes hasutan bekas Perdana Menteri Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin ke Mahkamah Tinggi untuk dibicarakan, selepas menolak untuk menjawab empat persoalan undang-undang yang dikemukakan pihak pembelaan. Pihak pembelaan Muhyiddin termasuk Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad, Joshua Tay, dan Lee Yee Woei.

Federal Court remits Muhyiddin’s sedition questions back to High Court

February 9, 2026

Malaysiakini | Muhyiddin Yassin’s legal team heeded the Federal Court’s advice to consider if the legal issues relating to the Sedition Act 1948 should be determined by the High Court, in order to preserve the avenues for appeal. The team, headed by Amer Hamzah Arshad, includes Joshua Tay and Lee Yee Woei.

Apex court sends Muhyiddin’s sedition case to High Court for trial

February 9, 2026

Free Malaysia Today | The Federal Court remitted Muhyiddin Yassin’s sedition case for trial in the High Court after a five-member bench declined to answer the constitutional questions posed by the ex-PM, stating that the questions could be raised before the trial judge. Muhyiddin’s legal team includes Amer Hamzah Arshad, Joshua Tay, and Lee Yee Woei.

Lawyers: Federal Court’s ‘pivotal’ ruling raises bar for prosecuting Malaysians over offensive online remarks

February 6, 2026

Malay Mail | The Federal Court ruled that the government has to meet higher standards before it can charge a Malaysian with “offensive” online remarks with the “intent to annoy” under section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act. Activist Heidy Quah’s lawyer New Sin Yew said that the Federal Court has now made clear that such action cannot be taken against political speeches.

Section 233 of CMA serves purpose in multiracial society: Federal Court

February 6, 2026

Scoop | The Federal Court decided there was no basis to prosecute activist Heidy Quah under section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act, as her Facebook post did not amount to a communication that was “offensive with intent to annoy”, as the content was not offensive and the mens rea element of “intent to annoy” was absent. Quah’s legal team included lawyer New Sin Yew.

Online speech restrictions constitutional, rules apex court

February 6, 2026

Free Malaysia Today | The Federal Court ruled that there was no basis to prosecute activist Heidy Quah on the grounds that a Facebook post she had made was “offensive” and communicated “with intent to annoy”, although those words under section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 were constitutional. Heidy Quah’s legal team included New Sin Yew.

Federal Court restores ‘annoyance’ offence in communications law

February 6, 2026

Malaysiakini | The Federal Court has reinstated a provision in the Communications and Multimedia Act that criminalises content that “annoys” or is “offensive”. However, the court affirmed the Court of Appeal’s decision that activist Heidy Quah should not have been charged under the provision in September 2021 for her Facebook post. New Sin Yew, among others, represented Quah.

Joint press release: 5th Interface Meeting between the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC)

February 6, 2026

AICHR | The 5th Interface Meeting between AICHR and ACWC was chaired by Edmund Bon, AICHR Chair and Representative of Malaysia to AICHR. It continued AICHR and ACWC’s constructive cooperation on the promotion and protection of the rights of women and children in the region.

2nd ASEAN Dialogue on Human Rights and Policing, 26–27 January 2026

February 2, 2026

AICHR | The 2nd ASEAN Dialogue on Human Rights and Policing convened by AICHR aimed to advance practical cooperation on human rights-based policing across ASEAN. Participants discussed regional and national approaches to strengthening integrity, accountability, and professionalism in policing, including integrity mechanisms, and policing vulnerable groups and crisis situations.

Court to rule on Muhyiddin’s 2021 advice to suspend Parliament

January 9, 2026

Free Malaysia Today | The High Court has fixed 29 April 2026 to deliver its decision in a judicial review case brought by two government backbenchers challenging former PM Muhyiddin Yassin’s advice that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong suspend Parliament in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. New Sin Yew acted for BERSIH, a co-applicant.

Lima kes rasuah dihadapi Shamsul Iskandar dibicarakan bersama

January 8, 2026

Bernama | Kes rasuah Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin di Mahkamah Sesyen Shah Alam akan dibicarakan bersama empat lagi pertuduhan rasuah melibatkan kelulusan lesen penerokaan mineral di Sabah yang dihadapinya di Mahkamah Sesyen di Kuala Lumpur. Pihak pembelaan beliau termasuk Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad dan Joshua Tay.

Shamsul Iskandar kemuka permohonan pindah pertuduhan rasuah ke Mahkamah Tinggi

January 8, 2026

Sinar Harian | Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin membuat permohonan untuk memindahkan pertuduhan rasuah yang dihadapinya ke Mahkamah Tinggi kerana ingin membangkitkan isu berkaitan undang-undang melibatkan pertuduhan terhadapnya di peringkat Mahkamah Tinggi. Pihak pembelaan beliau termasuk Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad dan Joshua Tay.

Shamsul Iskandar’s five corruption cases to be tried together

January 8, 2026

The Star | Five corruption case involving Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, all linked to the approval of a mineral exploration licence in Sabah, will be tried together at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court. Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad and Joshua Tay represent the former senior political secretary to the Prime Minister.