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MLJ Alerts: February 2024 (High 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

“In a trust for conversion, the beneficiary is entitled under the trust not to the assets comprised in the trust itself, but to the proceeds of the sale of such assets, after deducting the liabilities of the estate. Where a legatee is beneficially entitled to the residuary in an estate, the law imputes the existence of a trust for conversion. Because the legatee is said not to possess an interest in the properties under the trust but rather to the proceeds of sale of such properties, he cannot therefore possess or maintain a caveatable interest over such properties. Similar principles apply to beneficiaries under an intestacy. The beneficiaries under an intestacy have a right to require distribution to be effected in accordance to s 6(1) of the Distribution Act 1958 and to the future proceeds of sale of the properties comprised in the estate, but they do not have any rights, title or interest in the specific properties themselves.

It would not be inaccurate to describe the right of a beneficiary under an intestacy as a chose in action, for it is a right that may be enforced by an action commenced in court (it is quite wrong to limit choses in action to rights accruing in contract only, as alluded to by counsel for the appellant). Perhaps a better way to describe the rights of a beneficiary under an intestacy is that these are rights arising under a statutory trust for conversion, because such a phrase describes the genesis of such rights.”

- Azizul Azmi Adnan JCA

Faustina Anne Sta Maria v Mary Patricia De Cruz [2024] 1 MLJ 741 at 23-24

Week 1 Updates

1. Suzannah Helen Harvey & Anor v Langkawi Yacht Club Bhd [2024] 7 MLJ 385 [HC]

Coram ATAN MUSTAFFA J
Catchwords Contract — Breach — Action for damages
Sale of Goods — Goods sold and delivered — Fitness for purpose
Tort — Negligence — Breach of duty
Outcome Plaintiffs’ claim allowed with costs of RM100,000 to plaintiffs subject to allocator fees.
Counsel Names
  • Jeremy M Joseph (with Vinodhini Samuel) (Joseph & Partners) for the plaintiffs.

  • Ooi Huey Miin (with Dianne Hong) (Raja, Darryl & Loh) for the defendant.

2. Public Prosecutor v Umapathi a/l Ganesan [2024] 7 MLJ 345 [HC]

Coram MOHD RADZI ABDUL HAMID J
Catchwords Criminal Law — Dangerous drugs — Trafficking
Outcome Accused sentenced to life imprisonment and 15 strokes of whipping for trafficking offence.
Counsel Names
  • Mohd Asri bin Abd Rahman Sidik (with Mohd Nabilalif bin Mohd Rosli) (Deputy Public Prosecutor, Attorney General’s Chambers) for the prosecution.

  • Paul Krishnaraja a/l Selladurai (with Amy Chong Chai Ling) (Paul, Amy Chong & Assoc) for the accused.

3. PKR v KDS [2024] 7 MLJ 375 [HC]

Coram EVROL MARIETTE PETERS J
Catchwords Family Law — Divorce — Irretrievable breakdown of marriage
Outcome Petition allowed.
Counsel Names
  • Francis Pereira (Francis Pereira & Shan) for the petitioner.

  • Zalil Mohd Mess (with Ahmad Syahid Ahmad Lutfi) (Zalil Mohd & Partners) for the respondent.

4. SGV Builders Sdn Bhd v Kiranjit Randhawa & Co and other applications [2024] 7 MLJ 362 [HC]

Coram SHAHNAZ SULAIMAN J
Catchwords Legal Profession — Remuneration — Bill of costs
Outcome Originating summons dismissed.
Counsel Names
  • Teng Weng Loong (with Wong Wai Sam) (Teng Weng Loong & Co) for the plaintiff.

  • Mohd Ashrul Haikal bin Ashri (Kiranjit Randhawa & Co) for the respondent.

5. Tahir, Roslan and Tasariff Sdn Bhd v Ketua Pengarah Hasil Dalam Negeri and other appeals [2024] 7 MLJ 487 [HC]

Coram AMARJEET SINGH J
Catchwords Revenue Law — Real property gains tax — Assessment
Statutory Interpretation — Retrospective operation — Taxing statute
Outcome Appeals dismissed.
Counsel Names
  • Vijey Krishnan (with William Wong) (Raja, Darryl & Loh) for the appellant.

  • Noor Faezah bt Zainodin (with Munirah bt Abd Wahid) (Revenue Attorney, Inland Revenue Board) for the respondent.

Week 2 Updates

1. Md Shahidul Islam v Ketua Pengarah Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia & Ors [2024] 7 MLJ 546 [HC]

Coram AHMAD KAMAL J
Catchwords Administrative Law — Judicial review — Application for
Immigration — Admission into and departure from Malaysia — Director General’s power to prohibit entry, or cancel any pass or permit
Outcome Enclosure 14 dismissed with costs of RM2,500 without allocator fee.
Counsel Names
  • Harpal Singh (with Low Carmen) (T Harpal & Assoc) for the applicant.

  • Liew Horng Bin (Senior Federal Counsel, Attorney General’s Chambers) for the respondent.

2. Sabah Law Society v The Government of the Federation of Malaysia & Anor [2024] 7 MLJ 537 [HC]

Coram ISMAIL BRAHIM J
Catchwords Administrative Law — Judicial review — Leave application under O 53 of the Rules of Court
Outcome Application for leave to commence judicial review application allowed.
Counsel Names
  • David Fung (with Jeyan TM Marimutthu) (J Marimutthu & Partners) for the applicant.

  • Suzana bt Atan (Attorney General’s Chambers) for the first respondent.

  • Ahmad Fuad b Ahmad (FT Ahmad & Co) for the second respondent.

3. Lembaga Kumpulan Wang Simpanan Pekerja v Mohd Abdul Karim bin Abdullah & Ors [2024] 7 MLJ 566 [HC]

Coram ROZI BAINON JC
Catchwords Civil Procedure — Summary judgment — Application for
Outcome Application for summary judgment allowed with costs.
Counsel Names
  • Adilah Abdul Wahid (Nashili & Co) for the plaintiff.

  • Amira Nur Nadia bt Azhar (Rajashree) for the defendants.

4. Ho Chung Meng v ASP Che Intan bt Subri & Ors [2024] 7 MLJ 500 [HC]

Coram EVAWANI FARISYTA JC
Catchwords Criminal Procedure — Habeas corpus — Application for
Outcome Application dismissed.
Counsel Names
  • Ishak Mohd Yusof (with Lee Keng Fatt) (Fatt & Co) for the applicant.

  • Mohd Zain bin Ismail (with Nuur Izham bin Ismail) (Federal Counsel, Office of the Legal Advisor, Ministry of Home Affairs) for the respondents.

5. Adam Lee Shiong Lim v Mahkamah Rayuan Syariah Wilayah Persekutuan & Ors [2024] 7 MLJ 588 [HC]

Coram WAN AHMAD FARID J
Catchwords Islamic Law — Renunciation of Islam — Jurisdiction of Syariah Court
Outcome Judicial review application dismissed.
Counsel Names
  • Fahri Azzat (with Iqbal Harith Liang bin Danial Liang and Ameerul Aizat) (Fahri, Azzat & Co) for the applicant.

  • Ahmad Hanir bin Hambaly @ Arwi (with Liyana bt Muhammad Fuad and Imitiyaz Wizni) (Federal Counsel, Attorney General’s Chambers) for the first, second and fourth respondents.

  • Kamaruzaman Arif (with Sofiah Omar and Muhammad Izzat bin Dzulkafli) (Kamaruzaman Arif & Sofiah) for the third respondent.

Week 3 Updates

1. Tunas Manja Development & Construction (KL) Sdn Bhd v SPNB Aspirasi Sdn Bhd and another application [2024] 7 MLJ 617 [HC]

Coram ALIZA SULAIMAN J
Catchwords Arbitration — Award — Setting aside
Civil Procedure — Judgments and orders — Setting aside
Outcome Applications dismissed.
Counsel Names
  • Pook Fong Fee (with Aswath a/l Ramakrishnan) (Ahmad Deniel, Ruben & Co) in Originating Summons No WA-24C(ARB)-27–07 of 2022 for the applicant.

  • Abdullah Az-Zubayr bin Awaluddin (with Ashmadi Othman) (Zulpadli & Edham) in Originating Summons No WA-24C(ARB)-31–07 of 2022 for the plaintiff.

  • Pook Fong Fee (with Aswath a/l Ramakrishnan) (Ahmad Deniel, Ruben & Co) in Originating Summons No WA-24C(ARB)-31–07 of 2022 for the defendant.

  • Abdullah Az-Zubayr bin Awaluddin (with Ashmadi Othman) (Zulpadli & Edham) in Originating Summons No WA-24C(ARB)-27–07 of 2022 for the respondent.

2. Mohd Hatta bin Sanuri v YAB Perdana Menteri Malaysia Ketujuh Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad & Ors [2024] 7 MLJ 602 [HC]

Coram ROZ MAWAR JC
Catchwords Civil Procedure — Striking out — Action
Outcome Application to strike out plaintiff’s suit allowed.
Counsel Names
  • Mohaji Selamat (with Nur Izatul Nabila Nazarudin) (Mohaji Hazury & Ismail) for the plaintiff.

  • Donald Joseph Franklin (with Razalijaya A Dadi and Erma Wani Md Kassim, Saravanan Kuppusamy, Syafiq Affandy Hassan and Nur Syazwani Abdul Aziz) (Federal Counsel, Attorney General’s Chambers) for the defendants.

3. Foh Chong & Sons Sdn Bhd & Anor v Pentadbir Tanah Daerah Johor Bahru [2024] 7 MLJ 678 [HC]

Coram NOOR HISHAM ISMAIL JC
Catchwords Land Law — Acquisition of land — Smaller area of land acquired than what was originally stated in statutory notice of acquisition
Outcome Judicial review application dismissed.
Counsel Names
  • Gan Techiong (with Wong Wan Ting) (Gan & Lim) for the applicant.

  • Muhammad Azzam bin Zainal (with Suhana bt Sabil) (Johor State Legal Advisor’s Office) for the respondent.

4. Aida Ratini bt Mansor (trading under the name and style of AR Lahore Enterprise) & Anor v Sungei Wang Plaza Sdn Bhd & Anor [2024] 7 MLJ 663 [HC]

Coram LEONG WAI HONG JC
Catchwords Landlord and Tenant — Distress — Writ of distress
Outcome Appeal allowed with costs to be paid by respondents amounting to RM10,000 here and below subject to allocatur; order of sessions court set aside.
Counsel Names
  • Phang Soon Mun (with Tang Kian Khuang) (Han & Partners) for the appellant.

  • Annie Varghese (with Jayasri Nadarajan) (Hakeem Arabi & Assoc) for the respondent.

5. Peak Sunrise Development Sdn Bhd v Koo Tuk Su & Ors [2024] 7 MLJ 668 [HC]

Coram CHRISTOPHER CHIN J
Catchwords Words and Phrases — ‘tiada halangan’ — Meaning of
Outcome Enclosure 15 allowed in part.
Counsel Names
  • (Chris Thian & Co) for the plaintiff.

  • (Shelley Yap) for the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth defendants.

  • (PK Lim & Co) for the tenth defendant.

Week 4 Updates

1. Marzaidi bin Mohammad (acting as a guardian/next friend and litigation representative for Muhammad Muhriz bin Marzaidi) & Anor v Mohamed Affendi bin Khairuddin [2024] 7 MLJ 701 [HC]

Coram RAJA AHMAD MOHZANUDDIN SHAH JC
Catchwords Civil Law Act — Damages — Dependency claim
Civil Procedure — Action — Cause of action
Civil Procedure — Parties — Proper plaintiffs
Outcome Plaintiffs’ claim dismissed with costs of RM10,000 to defendant subject to allocatur; counterclaim dismissed with no order as to costs.
Counsel Names
  • Fey Aqis Mohd Khairuddin (with Lailatul Fitriah Ma’at and Zaizuraimy Abd Rahim) (Raimy Fuaad Aqis) for the plaintiffs.

  • Brijnandan Singh Bhar (with Natasha Bhar, Haresh Nair and Rajwinjit Kaur Khalee) (Brijnandan Singh Bhar & Co) for the defendant.

2. Azri bin Amin v Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Majlis Agama Islam dan Adat Melayu Perak & Anor [2024] 7 MLJ 730 [HC]

Coram NOOR RUWENA JC
Catchwords Civil Procedure — Striking out — Originating summons
Outcome Applications to strike out OS allowed with costs.
Counsel Names
  • Rajesh Nagarajan (with Lusinthra Pillai) (Raj & Sach) for the applicant.

  • Norazali bin Nordin (Maxwell, Kenion, Cowdy & Jones) for the first respondent.

  • Siti Nora bt Shariff (Perak State Legal Advisor’s Office) for the second respondent.

3. Public Prosecutor v Cheong Teck Paw [2024] 7 MLJ 753 [HC]

Coram NOORIN BADARUDDIN J
Catchwords Criminal Law — Dangerous Drugs — Trafficking
Outcome Accused acquitted and discharged.
Counsel Names
  • Nik Mohd Fadli bin Nik Azlan (Deputy Public Prosecutor, Attorney General’s Chambers) for the prosecution.

  • N Sivananthan (with Grace Nathan, Nabilah bt Habib and Aiswarya Devi a/p Chanthirakumar) (Sivananthan) for the accused.

4. Ali Reza Ziba Halat Monfared & Anor v Chew Ben Ben & Ors [2024] 7 MLJ 774 [HC]

Coram MOHD JOHAN LEE J
Catchwords Land Law — Power of attorney — Validity
Tort — Conspiracy — Conspiracy to injure plaintiff
Outcome Plaintiffs’ claim dismissed with costs of RM65,000 to be paid by plaintiffs to firstand second defendants, and costs of RM60,000 to be paid by plaintiffs to third and fourth defendants respectively; all costs were subject to allocatur.
Counsel Names
  • Michael Chow (with Neoh Kai Sheng) (Michael Chow) for the plaintiff.

  • Chong Ki Keong (with Hazalina Haron) (KK Chong & Co) for the first and second defendants.

  • Mark Lau (with Talitha Shim) (Sreenevasan & Young) for the third defendant.

  • Tan Keng Teck (with Ung Zhee Laine) (Lim Kian Leong & Co) for the fourth defendant.

5. Imelda Nasreen bt Nasruddin @ Balchin v Norizatul Amira bt Kamsan [2024] 7 MLJ 807 [HC]

Coram ROZ MAWAR JC
Catchwords Tort — Defamation — Defamatory statements
Outcome Appeal allowed with costs of RM8,000 and decision of sessions court set aside.
Counsel Names
  • Raja Eileen Suraya (with Michelle Khor Chiew Hong) (Raja, Darryl & Loh) for the appellant.

  • Nur Izzaida Zamani (with Nur Aqilah Azaldin) (CK Ling Izzaida & Ima) for the respondent.

Week 5 Updates

1. Mudajaya Corp Bhd v KWSL Builders Sdn Bhd and another application [2024] 7 MLJ 849 [HC]

Coram WONG KIAN KHEONG J
Catchwords Building and Construction Law — Adjudication — Construction Industry Payment and Adjudication Act 2012 (‘CIPAA’)
Outcome Ordered accordingly.
Counsel Names
  • Serene Hiew Mun Yi (with Pan Yan Teng) (Harold & Lam Partnership) for MCB.

  • Michael Yap Chih Hong (with Haikaldin bin Mahyidin) (Tommy Thomas) for KWSL.

2. Projek Lebuhraya Usahasama Bhd & Anor v Zakaria bin Hamid (biological father to the deceased, Azizi bin Zakaria) & Anor [2024] 7 MLJ 871 [HC]

Coram NOOR RUWENA JC
Catchwords Civil Procedure — Appeal — Appeal from subordinate court to High Court
Outcome Appellant’s appeal dismissed, respondents’ appeal allowed and dependency contribution amount varied to RM500 per month.
Counsel Names
  • Athithan Singaravelu (Athi & Seelan) for the appellant.

  • Ayleswary (Arnold Andrew & Co) for the respondent.

3. XXX (a minor suing through the mother and next friend Che Rohayu bt Abd Rahim) & Anor v Muhammad Risya Rizuan bin Mat Aripin [2024] 7 MLJ 822 [HC]

Coram MOHAMAD ABAZAFREE J
Catchwords Civil Procedure — Jurisdiction — High Court
Evidence — Proof of — Paternity
Outcome Enclosure 1 allowed with no order as to cost.
Counsel Names
  • Adly Zulfadhly bin Zulkefly (Salina Fazilawati & Co) for the applicant.

  • Wan Shazlina bt Wan Hanafi (Abqary Aziz & Co) for the respondent.

4. Ahmad Zul-Qarnain bin Ibrahim (on behalf of the Mental Health Committee of Dato’ Puan Sri Hamidah bt Abdullah) v WRP Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd & Ors [2024] 7 MLJ 835 [HC]

Coram ADLIN ABDUL MAJID J
Catchwords Civil Procedure — Striking out — Application to strike out action
Companies and Corporations — Auditors — Powers and duties
Tort — Conspiracy — Conspiracy to defraud
Outcome Striking out application allowed with costs.
Counsel Names
  • Gideon Tan (with Yip Man Fei) (Gideon Tan Razali Zaini) for the plaintiff.

  • Ben Chan (with Sangeetha Vasanth Kumar) (Ben Chan) for the second defendant.

5. HEN v HIN [2024] 7 MLJ 894 [HC]

Coram EVROL MARIETTE PETERS J
Catchwords Family Law — Divorce — Consent order
Outcome Terms relating to child access varied in the decree nisi in the manner stated in para 43 of the judgment.
Counsel Names
  • Kuah Jiun Yu (Yew & Partners) for the petitioner husband.

  • Goh *** *** (Kelvin Wong, Phang & Assoc) for the petitioner wife.

6. Dato’ Mohd Zubir bin Embong lwn Datuk Hj Ahmad Amzad bin Mohamed @ Hashim [2024] 7 MLJ 907 [MT]

Coram MOHD FIRUZ H
Catchwords Pilihan Raya — Pembatalan pemilihan — Alasan-alasan
Outcome Perintah sewajarnya.
Counsel Names
  • Mohd Hafarizam bin Harun (Abu Bakar Isa Ramat, Intan Azlina bt Mazlan, Mohamed Baharudeen bin Mohamed Ariff, Muhammad Amin bin Othman, Norhazira bt Abu Haiyan, Hayder Amin bin Mohd Yazid dan Nur Adilah bersamanya) (Hafarizam Wan & Aisha Mubarak) bagi pihak pempetisyen.

  • Ahmad Amzad bin Mohamed @ Hashim (Takiyuddin bin Hassan, Wan Rohimi bin Wan Daud, Mohd Faizi bin Che Abu, Yusfarizal bin Yusoff, Saifuddin bin Othman dan Mohd Nasir bin Embong bersamanya) (Wan Abd Muttalib & Co) bagi pihak responden.

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