01 May 2025

MLJ Alerts: May 2025 (Appellate Court)

The Malayan Law Journal Alerts is a complimentary blog series that brings the most recently published case reports powered by Lexis+^® Malaysia.

Quote of the Month

“[125] Good faith is a general principle of international law. Its modern formulation derives from the Roman concept of bona fides, which refers to trustworthiness, conscientiousness and honourable conduct. In fact, good faith has been regarded as a fundamental principle of international law because it upholds the integrity and effectiveness of the international legal order by fostering respect for the law as well as trust and confidence in legal relations....

[126] Based on the foregoing, it can be surmised that there is an implicit condition of good faith contained in the IOPIA, requiring the AIAC to fully and efficiently discharge its duties, and fulfill its purposes and functions. …”

- Hanipah Farikullah FCJ

Asian International Arbitration Centre v One Amerin Residence Sdn Bhd & Ors and another appeal [2025] 2 MLJ 634 [FC]

Week 1 Updates

1. Esa Jurutera Perunding Sdn Bhd v Universiti Malaya [2025] 2 MLJ 618 [CA]

Coram	LEE SWEE SENG, CHE MOHD RUZIMA AND AZHAHARI RAMLI JJCA
Catchwords	Arbitration — Stay of proceedings — Steps taken in proceedings
Outcome	Appeal allowed.
Counsel Names	Anantha Krishnan (with Ragumaren Gopal, Darryl Ragumaren and Farhanah Jahn) (G Ragumaren & Co) for the appellant. Cheah Ka Mun (Tan Yon Chin (Pupil in Chambers)) (Wong Kian Kheong) for the respondent.

2. Pendaftar Hakmilik, Pejabat Tanah dan Galian Negeri Johor v Huan Kok Sy [2025] 2 MLJ 577 [CA]

Coram	SUPANG LIAN, HASHIM HAMZAH JJCA AND AHMAD FAIRUZ J
Catchwords	Civil Procedure — Trial — Retrial
Outcome	Defendant’s appeal allowed; High Court’s decision set aside; court ordered for case to be remitted and retried before another High Court judge; parties to bear their own costs.
Counsel Names	Muhammad Azzam Zainal Abidin (with Arief Aiman bin Hamir Hamzah) (Johor State Legal Advisor's Office) for the appellant. Pang Kong Seng (with Kenny Lo Ji Yi) (KS Pang & Co) for the respondent.

3. Asian International Arbitration Centre v One Amerin Residence Sdn Bhd & Ors and another appeal [2025] 2 MLJ 634 [FC]

Coram	ABANG ISKANDAR PCA, ABU BAKAR JAIS AND HANIPAH FARIKULLAH FCJJ
Catchwords	International Law — Immunities — Immunity from judicial review
Outcome	Appeals allowed and decision of Court of Appeal set aside with no order as to costs.
Counsel Names	Sivabalah Nadarajah (with Jamie Goh Moon Hoong and Sachin Niranjan a/l Thavalingam) (Shearn Delamore & Co) in Civil Appeal Nos 01(i)-31–12 of 2023(W) and 02(i)-66–12 of 2023(W) in for the appellant. Teh Eng Lay (with Andy Gan Kok jin and Vaneesa Thong Chon Yen) (Cheah Teh & Su) in Civil Appeal Nos 01(i)-31–12 of 2023(W) and 02(i)-66–12 of 2023(W) for the first respondent. Siew Suet Mey (Sanjay Mohan) in Civil Appeal No 01(i)-31–12 of 2023(W) for the second respondent. Rosamirah Insyirah bt Zamri (CS Tan Seah & Partners) Civil Appeal No 01(i)-31–12 of 2023(W) for the third respondent. Wan Shahida bt Wan Omar (Senior Federal Counsel, Attorney General's Chambers) Civil Appeal No 01(i)-31–12 of 2023(W) for the fourth and fifth respondents.

4. Samsudin bin Md Suppian lwn Pendakwa Raya [2025] 2 MLJ 595 [CA]

Coram	HADHARIAH SYED ISMAIL, AZMAN ABDULLAH AND AZMI ARIFFIN HHMR
Catchwords	Prosedur Jenayah — Rayuan — Rayuan terhadap sabitan dan hukuman
Outcome	Rayuan perayu terhadap sabitan dan hukuman ditolak; lain-lain perintah tambahan yang diberikan oleh Mahkamah Tinggi dikekalkan.
Counsel Names	Muhamad Afiq Audy (Nurliny Che Soh bersamanya) (Nurliny & Co) bagi pihak perayu. Sarulatha a/p Paramavathar (Timbalan Pendakwa Raya, Jabatan Peguam Negara) bagi pihak responden.

Week 2 Updates

1. V Medical Services M Sdn Bhd v Swissray Asia Healthcare Co Ltd [2025] 2 MLJ 744 [FC]

Coram	ABANG ISKANDAR PCA, NALLINI PATHMANATHAN AND ZABARIAH YUSOF FCJJ
Catchwords	Companies and Corporations — Winding up — Injunction to restrain petition
Outcome	Appeal allowed; company found to have shown a genuine dispute of the debt on substantial grounds; Fortuna injunction granted by the High Court reinstated; and the matter to be referred to arbitration.
Counsel Names	Eugene Jayaraj Williams a/l Chellathurai (with Alani Farhah bt Mohd Farouk) (Haris Ibrahim Kandiah Partnership) for the appellant. Chuah Jo-Shua (with Surein Wei) (Zaid Ibrahim & Co) for the respondent.

2. Majlis Peguam v Ch'ng Eng Hing, Frank [2025] 2 MLJ 689 [CA]

Coram	KAMALUDIN MD SAID, HASHIM HAMZAH AND COLLIN SEQUERAH JJCA
Catchwords	Legal Profession — Disciplinary proceedings — Powers of disciplinary board
Outcome	Appeal dismissed with costs.
Counsel Names	Ong Eng Hong (Rahmat Lim & Partners) for the appellant. Verghese Aaron Mathews (with Khor Chai Hoong) (Tang, Khor & MP Leong) for the respondent.

3. Kerajaan Malaysia & Anor v Dr Vijaendreh a/l Subramaniam & Anor [2025] 2 MLJ 701 [FC]

Coram	TENGKU MAIMUN CHIEF JUSTICE, NALLINI PATHMANATHAN AND NORDIN HASSAN FCJJ
Catchwords	Statutory Interpretation — Interpretation of Acts — Poisons Act 1952 (Act 366) and its Regulations vis a vis Sale of Drugs Act 1952 (Act 368) and its 1984 Regulations
Outcome	Appeal dismissed; and COA’s decision affirmed.
Counsel Names	Rahazlan Affandi bin Abdul Rahim (with Liew Horng Bin and Saravanan a/l Kuppusamy) (The Attorney General’s Chambers) for the appellants. Gurdial Singh Nijar (with Abraham Au Tian *** and Lim Sze Han) (Yeoh Mazlina & Partners) for the respondents.

4. Lim Guan Eng v Datuk Tan Teik Cheng & Anor [2025] 2 MLJ 791 [CA]

Coram	SEE MEE CHUN, AZMI ARIFFIN AND AHMAD KAMAL JJCA
Catchwords	Tort — Defamation — Libel
Outcome	Appeal dismissed and High Court’s decision affirmed.
Counsel Names	Simon Murali (with Kok Yuen Lin) (Simon Murali & Co) for the appellant. Ng Kian Nam (with Hemananthini a/p Chellakannapillai & Cheah Jia Sing) (Ng Kian Nam & Partners) for the first respondent. Abdullah Abdul Rahman) (with Deanna Ternisha) (Cheng & Ariff) for the second respondent.

Week 3 Updates

1. Ketua Pengarah Hasil Dalam Negeri v Genting Malaysia Bhd [2025] 2 MLJ 822 [CA]

Coram	AZIZAH NAWAWI, MOHD NAZLAN AND CHOO KAH SING JJCA
Catchwords	Civil Procedure — Judicial review — Appeal against
Outcome	Appeal allowed.
Counsel Names	Normareza Mat Rejab (with Syazana Safiah bt Rozman) (Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri (LHDN), Cyberjaya) for the appellant. Anand Raj (Irene Yong, Foong Pui Chi and Chantal Leann Barnabas) (Shearn Delamore & Co) for the respondent.

2. Badan Pengurusan Bersama Avenue K dan K Residence v City Properties Sdn Bhd & Ors [2025] 2 MLJ 907 [CA]

Coram	NANTHA BALAN, LIM CHONG FONG AND WAN AHMAD FARID JJCA
Catchwords	Land Law — Strata title — Management corporation
Outcome	Appeal allowed.
Counsel Names	Lai Chee Hoe (with Angeline Ang Mei Fong, Ooi Xin Yi and Low Yen Hau) (Chee Hoe & Assoc) for the appellant. Muhammad Shafee bin Md Abdullah (with Aimee Liew Sau Harn, Au Yong Wai Nyan, Muhammad Farhan bin Muhammad Shafee, Thilagan a/p Mehanathan and Ethan Teh Khai Xian) (YH Teh & Quek) for the respondents.

3. Ketua Pengarah Hasil Dalam Negeri v Berjaya Golf & Resort Bhd [2025] 2 MLJ 878 [CA]

Coram	LEE SWEE SENG, AZIMAH OMAR AND WAN AHMAD FARID JJCA
Catchwords	Revenue Law — Income tax — Appeal against finding of High Court
Outcome	Appeal dismissed and decision of High Court affirmed.
Counsel Names	Normareza bt Mat Rejab (with Syazana Safiah bt Rozman) (Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia) for the appellant. S Saravana Kumar (with Nur Hanina bt Mohd Azham) (Rosli Dahlan Saravana Partnership) for the respondent.

4. Havi Logistics (M) Sdn Bhd v Pemungut Duti Setem [2025] 2 MLJ 845 [FC]

Coram	ABDUL RAHMAN SEBLI CJ (SABAH AND SARAWAK), HASNAH HASHIM CJ
Catchwords	Revenue Law — Income tax — Appeal against finding of High Court
Outcome	Appeal dismissed with costs.
Counsel Names	S Saravana Kumar (with Nur Hanina Mohd Azham and Melody Tham Cheng Yee) (Raj, Ong & Yudistra) for the appellant. Normareza bt Mat Rejab (with Mohammad Hafidz bin Ahmad, Syazana Safiah bt Rozman and Muhammad Danial Izzat bin Zulbahari (Inland Revenue Board) for the respondent.

Week 4 Updates

1. Detik Ria Sdn Bhd v Prudential Corp Holdings Ltd & Anor [2025] 3 MLJ 22 [FC]

Coram	HASNAH HASHIM CJ (MALAYA), NALLINI PATHMANATHAN AND HARMINDAR SINGH FCJJ
Catchwords	Contract — Agreements — Call/put option agreement and supplemental call/put option agreement
Outcome	Appeal allowed.
Counsel Names	Tommy Thomas (with Tey Jun Ren, Mervyn Lai and Chuar Kia Lin) (Pierre Chuah & Assoc) for the appellants. Cyrus Das (with Bastian Vendargon, Gene Vendargon, Saritha Devi Kirupalani with Nur Ainnabila Rosdi) (Firoz Julian) for the respondent.

2. Kerajaan Malaysia v Batu Kemas Industri Sdn Bhd and other appeals [2025] 3 MLJ 1 [CA]

Coram	NANTHA BALAN, MOHD NAZLAN AND CHOO KAH SING JJCA
Catchwords	Damages — Assessment — Appeal against assessment
Outcome	Order accordingly.
Counsel Names	Nurhafizza Azizan (with Ng Wee Li) for Kerajaan Malaysia. Malik Imtiaz Ahmed (with Wong Min Yen, Ahmad Edham Abdulwani, Othman Mohd Munzeer and Abdullah Az-Zubayr) (Zulpadli & Edham) for Batu Kemas Industri Sdn Bhd. Kenneth Koh Zhong Wey (with Afiq Iskandar b Aziz) (Xavier & Koh Partnership) for Tenaga Nasional Bhd.

3. Suria Resorts Management Sdn Bhd lwn Kerajaan Malaysia [2025] 3 MLJ 95 [CA]

Coram	AZIZAH NAWAWI, SEE MEE CHUN, DAN LIM CHONG FONG HHMR
Catchwords	Kontrak — Penamatan — Tafsiran klausa penamatan
Outcome	Rayuan ditolak.
Counsel Names	Adnan bin Seman @ Abdullah (Harris bin Md Nor bersamanya) (Adnan Sharida & Assoc) bagi pihak perayu. Anisah Normah bt Muhammad Nor (Fariza Amira bt Azman bersamanya) (Jabatan Peguam Negara) bagi pihak responden.

4. CIMB Bank Bhd v Suppiah a/l S Govindasamy & Ors [2025] 2 MLJ 929 [CA]

Coram	HASHIM HAMZAH, MOHAMED ZAINI MAZLAN AND WONG KIAN KHEONG JJCA
Catchwords	Land Law — Charge — Third-party charge
Outcome	Appeal allowed.
Counsel Names	Jeyasingam Balasingam (with Kartikumar a/l Seamreasan) (Ghazi & Lim) for the appellant. GK Ganesan Kasinathan (with Saravanesh a/l Supramaniam, Geetha Kesavan Nair, TP Vaani, JN Lheela and Siti Norain bt Mohammed) (Allen Chee Ram) for the first, second, third and fourth respondents.

Week 5 Updates

1. United Overseas Bank (M) Bhd v Tan Chong Whatt & Anor [2025] 3 MLJ 161 [CA]

Coram	NANTHA BALAN, MOHD NAZLAN AND CHOO KAH SING JJCA
Catchwords	Contract — Guarantee — ‘Principal debtor’ clause
Outcome	UOB's appeal allowed, High Court's decision set aside and judgment against guarantors entered.
Counsel Names	Vijay Raj (Ratna Govindasamy with him) (Skrine) in Civil Appeal Nos W-02(NCC)(W)-1036–06 of 2022 and W-02(NCC)(W)-1037–06 of 2022 for the appellants. Ringo Low Kim Leng (Brandon Lim Zhung Wy with him) (Ringo Low & Assoc) in Civil Appeal No W-02(NCC)(W)-1037–06 of 2022 for the respondents. Prem Rama Chandran (Craig Ho Wai Ping with him) (Kumar Partnership) in Civil Appeal No W-02(NCC)(W)-1036–06 of 2022 for the respondent.

2. Gan Kok Shang & Anor v Public Prosecutor [2025] 3 MLJ 174 [CA]

Coram	VAZEER ALAM, AHMAD ZAIDI IBRAHIM AND AZMI ARIFFIN JJCA
Catchwords	Criminal Procedure — Transfer of cases — Power of magistrate
Outcome	Appeal allowed; High Court’s decision set aside and magistrate’s decision reinstated.
Counsel Names	Gobind Singh Deo (with Tiara Katrina Fuad) (Gobind Singh Deo & Co) for the first appellant. Ho Cheng En (with Asyraaf Abu Bakar Hamzah) (TL Chen & Co) for the second appellant. Syarifah Khairiah bt Syed Akmal (Deputy Public Prosecutor, Attorney General's Chambers) for the respondent.

3. Sunway Reit Holdings Sdn Bhd v Ketua Pengarah Hasil Dalam Negeri [2025] 3 MLJ 123 [CA]

Coram	SUPANG LIAN, LIM CHONG FONG AND ALWI ABDUL WAHAB JJCA
Catchwords	Revenue Law — Income Tax — Capital verses income
Outcome	Appeal allowed, High Court’s decision set aside and full amount of interest expenditure amounting to RM18,188,537.62 incurred by the appellant ordered to be allowed for deduction against the appellant’s taxable income for Year of Assessment 2011.
Counsel Names	S Saravana Kumar (with Lim Chinn Wei and Nur Amira bt Ahmad Azhar) (Rosli Dhalan Saravana Partnership) for the appellant. Ahmad Isyak bin Mohd Hassan (with Azleena bt Md Khairuddin) (Senior Revenue Counsel, Special Appeal Department, Inland Revenue Board Malaysia) for the respondent.

4. Eastern Pacific Industrial Corp Bhd v AD Metal Trading & Transport Sdn Bhd and another appeal [2025] 3 MLJ 111 [CA]

Coram	SUPANG LIAN, MOHD NAZLAN AND AZIZUL AZMI ADNAN JJCA
Catchwords	Trespass — Trespass to goods — Whether claim proven
Outcome	RM300,000 awarded to AD Metal reduced to RM207,324, exemplary damages award affirmed, AD Metal’s appeal dismissed and Eastern Pacific’s appeal allowed in part.
Counsel Names	Saiffuddin Othman (Wan Abd Muttalib & Co) in Civil Appeal Nos T-02(NCvC)(W)-1260–08 of 2023 and T-02(NCVC)(W)-1310–08 of 2023 for the plaintiff. Mohd Hisham Mohd Nazir (Hisham Nazir & Co) in Civil Appeal Nos T-02(NCvC)(W)-1260–08 of 2023 and T-02(NCVC)(W)-1310–08 of 2023 for the respondent.

5. Suruhanjaya Persaingan v Myteksi Sdn Bhd & Ors [2025] 3 MLJ 197 [CA]

Coram	NANTHA BALAN, LIM CHONG FONG AND AHMAD KAMAL JJCA
Catchwords	Administrative Law — Judicial review — Certiorari
Outcome	Appeal dismissed; decision of High Court affirmed with costs of RM50,000 to be paid by appellant to respondents subject to allocatur.
Counsel Names	Tommy Thomas (Mervyn Lai Wei Shiung, Alicia Gomez and Wong Ting Ying with him) (Tommy Thomas) for the appellant. Malik Imtiaz Sarwar (Lim Yvonne, Shanthi Kandiah, Yo Yi Yun, Azyan bt Mohamed Ibrahim and Chin Yan We with him) (Shanthi Kandiah Chambers) for the respondents.

6. United Overseas Bank (M) Bhd v Tan Chong Whatt & Anor [2025] 3 MLJ 161 [CA]

Coram	NANTHA BALAN, MOHD NAZLAN AND CHOO KAH SING JJCA
Catchwords	Contract — Guarantee — ‘Principal debtor’ clause
Outcome	UOB's appeal allowed, High Court's decision set aside and judgment against guarantors entered.
Counsel Names	Vijay Raj (Ratna Govindasamy with him) (Skrine) in Civil Appeal Nos W-02(NCC)(W)-1036–06 of 2022 and W-02(NCC)(W)-1037–06 of 2022 for the appellants. Ringo Low Kim Leng (Brandon Lim Zhung Wy with him) (Ringo Low & Assoc) in Civil Appeal No W-02(NCC)(W)-1037–06 of 2022 for the respondents. Prem Rama Chandran (Craig Ho Wai Ping with him) (Kumar Partnership) in Civil Appeal No W-02(NCC)(W)-1036–06 of 2022 for the respondent.

7. Wawasan Raya (M) Sdn Bhd & Anor v MARC Service Residence Management Corp [2025] 3 MLJ 214 [CA]

Coram	SEE MEE CHUN, LIM CHONG FONG AND WONG KIAN KHEONG JJCA
Catchwords	Civil Procedure — Injunction — Interlocutory injunction
Outcome	Appeal allowed; High Court’s decision set aside.
Counsel Names	Chow Li Kian (with Lee Jia Fu and Ho Yong Yi) (Josephine, LK Chow & Co) for the appellant. Shahabudin bin Shaik Alaudin (with Rosnida bt Che Ibrahim, Siti Nurazwani bt Zulkeflee and Nadia bt Ahmad Suhaidin) (Shahabudin & Rozima) for the respondent.

8. The New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd v Aideah Communication Sdn Bhd [2025] 3 MLJ 240 [FC]

Coram	ZABARIAH YUSOF, ABDUL KARIM AND AHMAD TERRIRUDIN FCJJ
Catchwords	Contract — Terms — Construction of clause
Outcome	Appeal dismissed.
Counsel Names	Firoz Hussein (Saritha Devi Kirupalani, Choo Shi Jin, Nur Nabila Roslee and Harel Nieryan with him) (Firoz Julian) for appellant. DP Naban (Bahari Yeow Tien Hong, Amina Qistina bt Mohd Idris with him) (Rosli Dahlan Saravana & Partnership) for respondent.

9. Gan Kok Shang & Anor v Public Prosecutor [2025] 3 MLJ 174 [CA]

Coram	VAZEER ALAM, AHMAD ZAIDI IBRAHIM AND AZMI ARIFFIN JJCA
Catchwords	Criminal Procedure — Transfer of cases — Power of magistrate
Outcome	Appeal allowed; High Court’s decision set aside and magistrate’s decision reinstated.
Counsel Names	Gobind Singh Deo (with Tiara Katrina Fuad) (Gobind Singh Deo & Co) for the first appellant. Ho Cheng En (with Asyraaf Abu Bakar Hamzah) (TL Chen & Co) for the second appellant. Syarifah Khairiah bt Syed Akmal (Deputy Public Prosecutor, Attorney General's Chambers) for the respondent. 10. The New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd v Aideah Communication Sdn Bhd [2025] 3 MLJ 240 [FC]

10. Sunway Reit Holdings Sdn Bhd v Ketua Pengarah Hasil Dalam Negeri [2025] 3 MLJ 123 [CA]

Coram	SUPANG LIAN, LIM CHONG FONG AND ALWI ABDUL WAHAB JJCA
Catchwords	Revenue Law — Income Tax — Capital verses income
Outcome	Appeal allowed, High Court’s decision set aside and full amount of interest expenditure amounting to RM18,188,537.62 incurred by the appellant ordered to be allowed for deduction against the appellant’s taxable income for Year of Assessment 2011.
Counsel Names	S Saravana Kumar (with Lim Chinn Wei and Nur Amira bt Ahmad Azhar) (Rosli Dhalan Saravana Partnership) for the appellant. Ahmad Isyak bin Mohd Hassan (with Azleena bt Md Khairuddin) (Senior Revenue Counsel, Special Appeal Department, Inland Revenue Board Malaysia) for the respondent.

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