Bulletin_08

CLJ Bulletin, Vol 2007, Issue 08

9 March 2007

CLJ Law MALAYSIA

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New This Week -	1. CLJ March (Part 1) 2007
	2. CLJ Supp March (Part 1) 2007

1. CLJ March (Part 1) 2007

COURT

FEDERAL COURT

Asean Security Paper Mills Sdn Bhd v. CGU Insurance Bhd
(Fire insurance - Destruction of goods by fire - Refusal by respondent to pay appellant on ground that claim fraudulent) [2007] 2 CLJ 1

COURT OF APPEAL

Joo Seng Trading Co v. Commercial Importers And Distributors Sdn Bhd
(Contract - Breach - Action for damages - Termination of distributorship agreement by respondent) [2007] 2 CLJ 25

PP v. Hanif Basree Abdul Rahman
(Criminal law - Penal Code - Section 302 - Murder - Appeal by prosecution against acquittal and discharge of accused without calling for defence) [2007] 2 CLJ 33

See Teow Chuan & Anor v. YAM Tunku Nadzaruddin Ibni Tuanku Jaafar & Ors
(Contract - Specific performance - Contract of service - Specific relief amounting to reinstatement) [2007] 2 CLJ 82

SUBJECT INDEX

CIVIL PROCEDURE

Appeal - Evidence, evaluation of - Whether competent for appellate court to rely more on so-called circumstantial evidence as opposed to direct and scientific evidence in reversing decision of trial court - Whether there was serious miscarriage of justice warranting appellate intervention
Asean Security Paper Mills Sdn Bhd v. Cgu Insurance Bhd
(Richard Malanjum CJ (Sabah & Sarawak), Nik Hashim & Hashim Yusoff FCJJ) [2007] 2 CLJ 1 [FC]

Appeal - Fact, findings of - Credibility of witnesses - Whether trial judge judicially appraised evidence of witnesses - Audio-visual advantage of trial judge - Whether a fit and proper case for appellate intervention
Joo Seng Trading Co v. Commercial Importers And Distributors Sdn Bhd
(Gopal Sri Ram, Zulkefli Makinudin & Abdull Hamid Embong JJCA) [2007] 2 CLJ 25 [CA]

Appeal - Pleadings - Issue not pleaded in memorandum of appeal - Whether issue still arguable by appellant - Essential justice - Whether grossly unfair to respondent to have to defend against an unpleaded ground of appeal
Joo Seng Trading Co v. Commercial Importers And Distributors Sdn Bhd
(Gopal Sri Ram, Zulkefli Makinudin & Abdull Hamid Embong JJCA) [2007] 2 CLJ 25 [CA]

Fraud - Standard of proof in civil action - Whether must be beyond reasonable doubt and not on balance of probabilities - Whether available circumstantial evidence proved alleged commission of arson beyond reasonable doubt
Asean Security Paper Mills Sdn Bhd v. Cgu Insurance Bhd
(Richard Malanjum CJ (Sabah & Sarawak), Nik Hashim & Hashim Yusoff FCJJ) [2007] 2 CLJ 1 [FC]

COMPANY LAW

Agency - Director - Whether appellant company bound by acts of its director/shareholder - Scope and ambit of authority conferred on director/shareholder - Whether director/shareholder had authority to act - Whether appellant company legally liable
Asean Security Paper Mills Sdn Bhd v. Cgu Insurance Bhd
(Richard Malanjum CJ (Sabah & Sarawak), Nik Hashim & Hashim Yusoff FCJJ) [2007] 2 CLJ 1 [FC]

Directors - Removal - Specific relief amounting to reinstatement - Resolution passed requiring all executive directors to retire on attaining 55 years of age - Terms of contract - Whether resolution tainted with bad faith - Retrospective effect - Unilateral introduction of a new term into contract - Whether injunction restraining implementation of said resolution a decree of specific performance - Whether declaration that plaintiffs entitled to continue as directors amounted to specific performance of service contract
See Teow Chuan & Anor v. Yam Tunku Nadzaruddin Ibni Tuanku Jaafar & Ors
(Gopal Sri Ram, Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin & Raus Sharif JJCA) [2007] 2 CLJ 82 [CA]

CONTRACT

Breach - Action for damages - Termination of distributorship agreement by respondent - Whether respondent's act constituted a breach of contract - Notice of termination did not give any reason for terminating contract - Whether contract-breaker entitled to justify termination on good grounds at trial - Whether termination justified
Joo Seng Trading Co v. Commercial Importers And Distributors Sdn Bhd
(Gopal Sri Ram, Zulkefli Makinudin & Abdull Hamid Embong JJCA) [2007] 2 CLJ 25 [CA]

Specific performance - Contract of service - Specific relief amounting to reinstatement - Resolution passed requiring all executive directors to retire on attaining 55 years of age - Terms of contract - Whether resolution tainted with bad faith - Retrospective effect - Unilateral introduction of a new term into contract - Whether injunction restraining implementation of said resolution a decree of specific performance - Whether declaration that plaintiffs entitled to continue as directors amounted to specific performance of service contract
See Teow Chuan & Anor v. Yam Tunku Nadzaruddin Ibni Tuanku Jaafar & Ors
(Gopal Sri Ram, Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin & Raus Sharif JJCA) [2007] 2 CLJ 82 [CA]

CRIMINAL LAW

Penal Code - Section 302 - Murder - Appeal by prosecution against acquittal and discharge of accused without calling for defence - Burden on prosecution at close of case - Evidence of witnesses - Due consideration of evidence as a whole - Circumstantial evidence - Whether prima facie case established
PP v. Hanif Basree Abdul Rahman
(Mokhtar Sidin, Mohd Ghazali Yusoff & Tengku Baharudin Shah JJCA) [2007] 2 CLJ 33 [CA]

CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

Judgment - Grounds of decision - Application by Public Prosecutor for court to exercise its powers under s. 60(1) Courts of Judicature Act 1964 to order trial judge to write a supplementary judgment - Courts of Judicature Act 1964, ss. 52, 60(1) - Criminal Procedure Code, s. 307(3)
PP v. Hanif Basree Abdul Rahman
(Mokhtar Sidin, Mohd Ghazali Yusoff & Tengku Baharudin Shah JJCA) [2007] 2 CLJ 33 [CA]

Trial - Close of prosecution's case - Burden on prosecution - Correct test to be applied in determining whether a prima facie case made out under s. 180 Criminal Procedure Code
PP v. Hanif Basree Abdul Rahman
(Mokhtar Sidin, Mohd Ghazali Yusoff & Tengku Baharudin Shah JJCA) [2007] 2 CLJ 33 [CA]

EVIDENCE

Expert evidence - Chemist - Court to assess weight of evidence - Whether there was insufficient judicial appreciation of relevant evidence by Court of Appeal - Whether there was serious miscarriage of justice warranting appellate intervention
Asean Security Paper Mills Sdn Bhd v. Cgu Insurance Bhd
(Richard Malanjum CJ (Sabah & Sarawak), Nik Hashim & Hashim Yusoff FCJJ) [2007] 2 CLJ 1 [FC]

Standard of proof - Fraud alleged in civil case - Whether must be beyond reasonable doubt and not on balance of probabilities - Whether available circumstantial evidence proved alleged commission of arson beyond reasonable doubt
Asean Security Paper Mills Sdn Bhd v. Cgu Insurance Bhd
(Richard Malanjum CJ (Sabah & Sarawak), Nik Hashim & Hashim Yusoff FCJJ) [2007] 2 CLJ 1 [FC]

Witness - Credibility of - Rejection of witnesses' evidence in toto - Whether trial judge considered scientific and other circumstantial evidence together - Whether he should have at least treated them with suspicion - Whether evidence properly weighed before decision arrived at
PP v. Hanif Basree Abdul Rahman
(Mokhtar Sidin, Mohd Ghazali Yusoff & Tengku Baharudin Shah JJCA) [2007] 2 CLJ 33 [CA]

INSURANCE

Fire insurance - Storage of goods at warehouse - Destruction of goods by fire - Refusal by respondent to pay appellant on ground that claim fraudulent - Whether fire a result of deliberate act of arson - Expert evidence of chemists - Whether Court of Appeal erred in finding in respondent's favour
Asean Security Paper Mills Sdn Bhd v. Cgu Insurance Bhd
(Richard Malanjum CJ (Sabah & Sarawak), Nik Hashim & Hashim Yusoff FCJJ) [2007] 2 CLJ 1 [FC]

2. CLJ Supp March (Part 1) 2007

COURT

High Court

Ambank Bhd lwn. PSC Industries Bhd
(Prosedur sivil - Penghakiman terus - Kegagalan membuat bayaran tertunggak - Isu-isu dibangkitkan) [2007] 7 CLJ 321

Dato' Seri Yusof Dato' Biji Sura lwn. BTM Timber Industries Sdn Bhd & Yang Lain
(Prosedur sivil - Penghakiman mahkamah - Perintah komital) [2007] 7 CLJ 330

Dea Ai Eng v. Dr Wong Seak Shoon & Anor
(Civil procedure - Subpoena - Setting aside - Subpoena duces tecum) [2007] 7 CLJ 337

Koperasi Niaga Pegawai-Pegawai Lembaga Pertubuhan Peladang Bhd lwn. Southern Bank Bhd
(Undang-undang tanah - Kaveat - Pengenepian) [2007] 7 CLJ 354

PP v. Maruthamuthu Sretharan
(Criminal procedure - Sentence - Possession of cannabis - Plea of guilty) [2007] 7 CLJ 368

RHB Bank Bhd v. Amalan Tepat Sdn Bhd & Ors
(Civil procedure - Interpleader - Determination) [2007] 7 CLJ 379

Transbay Ventures Sdn Bhd v. Public Bank Bhd
(Civil procedure - Judgments and orders - Setting aside - Inter partes judgment) [2007] 7 CLJ 386

SUBJECT INDEX

CIVIL PROCEDURE

Interpleader - Determination - Balance sum of housing loan - Release of - Whether balance sum of housing loan should be released by plaintiff to first defendant - Whether plaintiff under contractual obligation to release loan - Whether second and third defendants have given irrevocable authority to plaintiff to release progress payments - Whether second and third defendants' purported termination of SPA valid - Whether plaintiff bound by undertaking
RHB Bank Bhd v. Amalan Tepat Sdn Bhd & Ors
(Low Hop Bing J) [2007] 7 CLJ 379 [HC]

Judgments and orders - Setting aside - Inter partes judgment - Whether invalid- Rules of natural justice - Whether obtained in breach of - Whether judgment certain on calculation of interest - Whether there was defect in order - Whether should be set aside ex debito justitiae - Whether defendant's application to strike out plaintiff's originating summons allowed
Transbay Ventures Sdn Bhd v. Public Bank Bhd
(Abdul Wahab Said J) [2007] 7 CLJ 386 [HC]

Subpoena - Setting aside - Subpoena duces tecum - Expert witness - Medical report - Whether prepared for use in pending litigation - Whether protected by legal professional privilege - Whether first defendant entitled to object - Whether expert witness compelled to produce medical report by subpoena - Whether plaintiff's purpose of requiring medical report a fishing expedition post item mortem - Whether subpoena set aside
Dea Ai Eng v. Dr Wong Seak Shoon & Anor
(VT Singham J) [2007] 7 CLJ 337 [HC]

CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

Sentence - Possession of cannabis - Plea of guilty - Facts and circumstances - Ownership of drugs - Whether doubt existed - Whether there were aggravating factors - Extenuating circumstances - Consideration of - Appropriate sentence - Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, ss. 6, 39A(2)
PP v. Maruthamuthu Sretharan
(Mohd Sofian Abd Razak JC) [2007] 7 CLJ 368 [HC]

EVIDENCE

Expert evidence - Medical report - Whether prepared for use in pending litigation - Whether protected by legal professional privilege - Whether first defendant entitled to object - Whether expert witness compelled to produce medical report by subpoena - Whether plaintiff's purpose of requiring medical report a fishing expedition post item mortem - Whether subpoena set aside
Dea Ai Eng v. Dr Wong Seak Shoon & Anor
(VT Singham J) [2007] 7 CLJ 337 [HC]

Privilege - Legal professional privilege - Medical report - Whether prepared for use in pending litigation - Whether protected by legal professional privilege - Whether first defendant entitled to object - Whether expert witness compelled to produce medical report by subpoena - Whether plaintiff's purpose of requiring medical report a fishing expedition post item mortem - Whether subpoena set aside
Dea Ai Eng v. Dr Wong Seak Shoon & Anor
(VT Singham J) [2007] 7 CLJ 337 [HC]

INDEKS PERKARA

PROSEDUR SIVIL

Penghakiman terus - Kegagalan membuat bayaran tertunggak - Isu-isu dibangkitkan - Surat-surat tawaran dikemukakan - Sama ada boleh diterima sebagai bahan bukti - Sijil keberhutangan - Sama ada konklusif - Sama ada fakta jelas terbentang memihak kepada plaintif - Sama ada defendan tidak mempunyai pembelaan bermerit - Sama ada awajar satu penghakiman terus dimasukkan terhadap defendan
Ambank Bhd lwn. PSC Industries Bhd
(Abdul Alim Abdullah H) [2007] 7 CLJ 321 [HC]

Penghinaan mahkamah - Perintah komital - Permohonan - Kegagalan mematuhi perintah Anton Pillar - Sama ada terma-terma yang terkandung tidak jelas (ambiguous) - Sama ada perintah terlalu luas dan umum untuk dipatuhi - Sama ada pempetisyen gagal membuktikan kes secara 'beyond reasonable doubt' terhadap dakwaan 'act of contempt' - Sama ada permohonan ditolak
Dato' Seri Yusof Dato' Biji Sura lwn. BTM Timber Industries Sdn Bhd & Yang Lain
(Ramly Ali H) [2007] 7 CLJ 330 [HC]

UNDANG-UNDANG TANAH

Kaveat - Pengenepian - Permohonan mengenepikan kaveat pemegang lien terhadap hartanah-hartanah tersebut dan seterusnya diisytiharkan sebagai pemilik - Sama ada plaintif telah membayar harga penuh hartanah-hartanah tersebut - Sama ada kesemua harga belian telah dijelaskan dan diterima oleh penjual (Jaya Kencana) - Sama ada Jaya Kencana hanya merupakan 'bare trustee' semasa hartanah-hartanah tersebut dijadikan cagaran kepada kemudahan pinjaman yang diberikan oleh SFB defendan - Sama ada Jaya Kencana boleh memberikan apa-apa kepentingan kepada mana-mana pihak lain - Sama ada hartanah-hartanah tersebut tidak boleh dijadikan sekuriti untuk kemudahan pinjaman - Sama ada kaveat pemegang lien yang dimasukkan tidak sah dan boleh disangkal
Koperasi Niaga Pegawai-Pegawai Lembaga Pertubuhan Peladang Bhd lwn. Southern Bank Bhd
(Azmel Maamor H) [2007] 7 CLJ 354 [HC]

Perjanjian jual beli - Kepentingan dan hak milik hartanah - Sama ada plaintif berhak ke atas hartanah - Permohonan mengenepikan kaveat pemegang lien terhadap hartanah-hartanah tersebut dan seterusnya diisytiharkan sebagai pemilik - Sama ada plaintif telah membayar harga penuh hartanah-hartanah tersebut - Sama ada kesemua harga belian telah dijelaskan dan diterima oleh penjual (Jaya Kencana) - Sama ada Jaya Kencana hanya merupakan 'bare trustee' semasa hartanah-hartanah tersebut dijadikan cagaran kepada kemudahan pinjaman yang diberikan oleh SFB defendan - Sama ada Jaya Kencana boleh memberikan apa-apa kepentingan kepada mana-mana pihak lain - Sama ada hartanah-hartanah tersebut tidak boleh dijadikan sekuriti untuk kemudahan pinjaman - Sama ada kaveat pemegang lien yang dimasukkan tidak sah dan boleh disangkal
Koperasi Niaga Pegawai-Pegawai Lembaga Pertubuhan Peladang Bhd lwn. Southern Bank Bhd
(Azmel Maamor H) [2007] 7 CLJ 354 [HC]

CASE OF THE WEEK

PP v. THAYALAN MANIAM

CRIMINAL LAW: Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 - Section 39B(1)(a) - Trafficking in dangerous drugs - Charge framed without chemist report before magistrate - Order by magistrate for remand of accused for two months pending availability of chemist report - Whether charge rendered baseless - Whether remand unlawful - Whether accused to be released - Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, ss. 31B, 39B(1)(a), (3), (4) - Criminal Procedure Code, ss. 29, 117, 254

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