CLJ Bulletin, Issue 2010, Vol 48

10 December 2010

CLJ Law Malaysia

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New This Week 1. Legislation Highlights
2. Articles
      a) Legal Network Series Articles
3. Latest Cases
    a) Legal Network Series
    b) CLJ Volume 9 (Part 2) 2010

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1. Legislation Highlights

Principal Acts

NUMBER TITLE DATE COMING INTO FORCE

REPEALING

ACT 712 Competition Act 2010 Not Yet In Force - Nil -
ACT 713 Competition Commission Act 2010 Not Yet In Force - Nil -
ACT 714 Suruhanjaya Pengangkutan Awam Darat Act 2010 3 June 2010 [PU(B) 262/2010] - Nil -
ACT 715 Land Public Transport Act 2010 Not Yet In Force - Nil -
ACT 716 Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 Not Yet In Force - Nil -

2. Articles

a) Legal Network Series Articles

1. The Criminal Justice System In England And Wales: Time For Change? [Read excerpt]
By Lord Judge, Lord Chief Justice Of England And Wales*

2. Atkin Lecture 2008: Open Societies And The Rule Of Law [Read excerpt]
By Sir Anthony Clarke, Master Of The Rolls*

3. Latest Cases

a) Legal Network Series

CITATION TITLE SUBJECT
[2009] 1 LNS 162 [HC] Filati Lastex Elastofibre (M) Sdn Bhd v. Nikseng Development Sdn Bhd

CONTRACT: Option to purchase - Sale of property - Plaintiff purchaser gave loan to defendant vendor pursuant to sale and purchase agreement for land - Defendant granted plaintiff option in S & P Agreement to purchase another piece of land (the green portion) - Option exercisable only upon default of defendant in repayment of balance loan - Plaintiff took steps to exercise option upon default of defendant - Whether there was a valid exercise of the option as stipulated in clause - Whether clause valid - Whether plaintiff entitled to specific performance

CONTRACT: Repudiation - Sale of land - Failure by plaintiff to deliver title to a portion of land (the blue portion) as stipulated in agreement - Whether repudiation of agreement

LIMITATION: Specific performance - Agreement for sale of land - Declaration of title to land - Lapse of more than eight years since exercise of option to purchase land - Whether limitation period six years or 12 years - Limitation Act s. 9

[2009] 1 LNS 168 [HC] Johari Abdullah @ Goh Khiam Chai & Ors v. UNI Asia General Insurance

CIVIL PROCEDURE: Summary judgment - Whether triable issues raised - Claim arising from road accident - Plaintiff obtained judgment in default against insured party and defendant in earlier suit - Defendant claimed that triable issues existed regarding liability of the insured - Whether pending application for stay of execution of earlier suit a ground for not granting summary judgment against defendant insurer

ROAD TRAFFIC: Insurance - Liability of insurers to satisfy judgment obtained against insured - Whether precondition under s. 96 of the Road Transport Act 1987 satisfied

[2009] 1 LNS 190 [HC] Jambri Abd Hamid v. PP
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE: Appeal - Appeal against conviction and sentence - Respondent convicted of receiving a bribe as inducement to show favour - Appellant advanced 68 grounds of appeal - Whether reasonable doubt raised on prosecution's case
[2009] 1 LNS 196 [HC] Koh Chui Ngoh v. Magicboo Beauty Sdn Bhd

EVIDENCE: Adverse inference - Failure of defendant to call material witness - Whether adverse inference invoked under s. 114(g) Evidence Act 1950

TORT: Passing off - Elements of passing off - Plaintiff claimed defendant passing off eyelash glue as that of defendant's - Whether requirements for action satisfied - Trade Marks Act 1976, s. 82(2)

[2009] 1 LNS 197 [HC] Adams Offshore Ltd v. TL Offshore Sdn Bhd; Hallin Marine Systems Int Ltd & Anor (Third Parties)
CIVIL LAW ACT: Assignment - Conditions for assignment to be valid - Defendant subcontracting 1st third party to provide diving support vessel (subcontract) - 1st third party through 2nd third party contracting with plaintiff for supply of offshore service vessel (charter party) - 1st third party although not party to charter party, assigning rights under charter party to defendant - Parties agreeing that charter party formed part of subcontract and defendant to pay plaintiff directly - 1st third party issuing 3 letters for payment - Defendant making part payment - Plaintiff claiming for outstanding balance - Defendant denying liability and suing third parties for contribution or immunity - Whether 3 letters for payment were valid assignments - Whether defendants estopped from denying liability having made part payment - Whether payment due under Contracts Act s. 71 - Civil Law Act 1956, s. 4(3)

CONTRACT: Estoppel - Estoppel by conduct - Defendant paying part of debt - Whether defendants estopped from denying liability having made part payment

^^

b. CLJ Volume 9 (Part 2) 2010

COURT

COURT OF APPEAL

Agus Agil v. PP
(Trafficking in dangerous drugs - 298.3gms of methamphetamine) [2010] 9 CLJ 125

Makro Cash & Carry Distribution (M) Sdn Bhd v. Henry Butcher, Lim & Long (N) Sdn Bhd
(Summary judgment - Estate agent's claim for loss of commission) [2010] 9 CLJ 140

PP v. Agus Agil
(Trafficking in dangerous drugs - Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, ss. 37(da), 39B(1)(a)) [2010] 9 CLJ 149

Tai Seng Glass Sdn Bhd v. Jasa Kita Warehousing Service Sdn Bhd
(Duties and responsibilities of bailee - Contracts Act 1950, ss. 104, 105, 106) [2010] 9 CLJ 161

HIGH COURT

Al-Hamidi Chek Mat v. Dr Ganga Devi & Ors
(Whether decision allowing plaintiff's application to amend statement of claim appealable) [2010] 9 CLJ 193

Bank Simpanan Nasional v. Cyber Business Solutions Sdn Bhd; Elsag Datamat Spa (Third Party)
(Arbitration - Procedure - Jurisdiction of High Court) [2010] 9 CLJ 202

Elanggoven Suppannan lwn. Pathmanabhan Naliannen & Satu Lagi
(Tatatertib profesional - Salahlaku - Akta Profesion Undang-Undang 1976, s. 103C(1)(c)(iii)) [2010] 9 CLJ 218

Ezzen Heights Sdn Bhd v. Ikhlas Abadi Sdn Bhd
(Company law - Joint venture agreement and irrevocable power of attorney) [2010] 9 CLJ 225

Teo Bee Ann & Anor v. Goh Say Dock & Anor
(Landlord and tenant - Duration - Lease) [2010] 9 CLJ 238

SUBJECT INDEX

AGENCY

Agent - Estate agent - Loss of commission, claim for - Summary judgment - Whether there were issues that merited a full trial - Effective cause of purchase of subject land - Entitlement to commission - Quantum awarded - Interest - Statement of claim, whether amended - Rules of the High Court 1980, O. 14, O. 20 r. 9
Makro Cash & Carry Distribution (M) Sdn Bhd v. Henry Butcher, Lim & Long (N) Sdn Bhd
(Tengku Baharudin Shah, Zaleha Zahari & Zainun Ali JJCA) [2010] 9 CLJ 140 [CA]

ARBITRATION

Procedure - Jurisdiction of High Court - Reference of dispute - Dispute in agreement between parties - No arbitration clause - Power of High Court to order matter or question or issue of fact arising therein to be tried before special referee or arbitrator - Whether consent of parties necessary - Circumstances when such power exercisable - Matters involving mixed questions of law and fact - Matters involving complex issues - Matters requiring prolonged examination of documents or scientific investigation - Construction of s. 24A of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964 - Whether s. 24A(2)(a), (b) and (c) of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964 to be read conjunctively or disjunctively - Whether procedure under repealed Arbitration Act 1952 remained applicable under s. 24A(4) of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964 - Courts of Judicature Act 1964, s. 24A
Bank Simpanan Nasional v. Cyber Business Solutions Sdn Bhd; Elsag Datamat Spa (Third Party)
(Hamid Sultan Abu Backer J) [2010] 9 CLJ 202 [HC]

BAILMENT

Bailee - Liability of bailee for loss or damage of goods in his custody - Whether bailee failed in its duty as bailee - Whether such failure rendered agreement on storage fees voidable at the option of the bailor - Contracts Act 1950, ss. 104, 105, 106
Tai Seng Glass Sdn Bhd v. Jasa Kita Warehousing Service Sdn Bhd
(Low Hop Bing, Ramli Ali & T Selventhiranathan JJCA) [2010] 9 CLJ 161 [CA]

CIVIL PROCEDURE

Amendment - Statement of claim - Addition of new party - Whether decision allowing plaintiff's application to amend statement of claim appealable - Limitation - Rules of the High Court 1980, O. 20 r. 5(1), O. 56 r. 1 - Limitation Act 1953, s. 6(1)
Al-Hamidi Chek Mat v. Dr Ganga Devi & Ors
(Ho Mooi Ching JC) [2010] 9 CLJ 193 [HC]

Appeal - Appeal against decision of Deputy Registrar - Whether decision allowing plaintiff's application to amend statement of claim appealable - Limitation - Rules of the High Court 1980, O. 20 r. 5(1), O. 56 r. 1 - Limitation Act 1953, s. 6(1)
Al-Hamidi Chek Mat v. Dr Ganga Devi & Ors
(Ho Mooi Ching JC) [2010] 9 CLJ 193 [HC]

Pleadings - Amendment of statement of claim - Addition of new party - Whether decision allowing plaintiff's application to amend statement of claim appealable - Limitation - Rules of the High Court 1980, O. 20 r. 5(1), O. 56 r. 1 - Limitation Act 1953, s. 6(1)
Al-Hamidi Chek Mat v. Dr Ganga Devi & Ors
(Ho Mooi Ching JC) [2010] 9 CLJ 193 [HC]

Procedure - Jurisdiction of High Court - Reference of dispute - Dispute in agreement between parties - No arbitration clause - Power of High Court to order matter or question or issue of fact arising therein to be tried before special referee or arbitrator - Whether consent of parties necessary - Circumstances when such power exercisable - Matters involving mixed questions of law and fact - Matters involving complex issues - Matters requiring prolonged examination of documents or scientific investigation - Construction of s. 24A of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964 - Whether s. 24A(2)(a), (b) and (c) to be read conjunctively or disjunctively - Whether procedure under repealed Arbitration Act 1952 remained applicable under s. 24A(4) of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964 - Courts of Judicature Act 1964, s. 24A
Bank Simpanan Nasional v. Cyber Business Solutions Sdn Bhd; Elsag Datamat Spa (Third Party)
(Hamid Sultan Abu Backer J) [2010] 9 CLJ 202 [HC]

Summary judgment - Appeal - Estate agent's claim for loss of commission - Whether there were issues that merited a full trial - Effective cause of purchase of subject land - Entitlement to commission - Quantum awarded - Interest - Statement of claim, whether amended - Rules of the High Court 1980, O. 14, O. 20 r. 9
Makro Cash & Carry Distribution (M) Sdn Bhd v. Henry Butcher, Lim & Long (N) Sdn Bhd
(Tengku Baharudin Shah, Zaleha Zahari & Zainun Ali JJCA) [2010] 9 CLJ 140 [CA]

COMPANY LAW

Directors - Disposal of company's property - Joint venture agreement and irrevocable power of attorney - Whether valid - Rule in Turquand's case - Valuable consideration - Notice of contravention - Good faith - Defaulting party benefiting from its own default - Whether time of essence - Estoppel - Beneficial ownership - Powers of Attorney Act 1949, s. 6 - Companies Act 1965, s. 132C(1), (3)
Ezzen Heights Sdn Bhd v. Ikhlas Abadi Sdn Bhd
(Mohd Zawawi Salleh JC) [2010] 9 CLJ 225 [HC]

Joint venture - Joint venture agreement and irrevocable power of attorney - Whether valid - Rule in Turquand's case - Valuable consideration - Notice of contravention - Good faith - Defaulting party benefiting from its own default - Whether time of essence - Estoppel - Beneficial ownership - Powers of Attorney Act 1949, s. 6 - Companies Act 1965, s. 132C(1), (3)
Ezzen Heights Sdn Bhd v. Ikhlas Abadi Sdn Bhd
(Mohd Zawawi Salleh JC) [2010] 9 CLJ 225 [HC]

CONTRACT

Bailment - Duties and responsibilities of bailee - Duty to take care of bailor's goods as a reasonable man would have taken care of his own goods of the same volume and value - Right to be informed of the quality and value of the goods bailed - Whether bailee failed in its duty as bailee - Whether such failure rendered agreement on storage fees voidable at the option of the bailor - Contracts Act 1950, ss. 104, 105, 106
Tai Seng Glass Sdn Bhd v. Jasa Kita Warehousing Service Sdn Bhd
(Low Hop Bing, Ramli Ali & T Selventhiranathan JJCA) [2010] 9 CLJ 161 [CA]

Breach - Joint venture agreements - Defaulting party relying on its own breach to terminate joint venture agreement - Whether tantamount to allowing defaulting party to benefit from its own default
Ezzen Heights Sdn Bhd v. Ikhlas Abadi Sdn Bhd
(Mohd Zawawi Salleh JC) [2010] 9 CLJ 225 [HC]

Joint venture - Joint venture agreement and irrevocable power of attorney - Whether valid - Rule in Turquand's case - Valuable consideration - Notice of contravention - Good faith - Defaulting party benefiting from its own default - Whether time of essence - Estoppel - Beneficial ownership - Powers of Attorney Act 1949, s. 6 - Companies Act 1965, s. 132C(1), (3)
Ezzen Heights Sdn Bhd v. Ikhlas Abadi Sdn Bhd
(Mohd Zawawi Salleh JC) [2010] 9 CLJ 225 [HC]

CRIMINAL LAW

Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 - Section 39B(1)(a), (2) - Trafficking in dangerous drugs - 298.3gms of methamphetamine - Appeal against conviction and sentence by the High Court - Whether the manner in which accused carried the drugs gave rise to the inference that he had knowledge of the drugs - Whether large amount of drugs in accused's possession indicated that the drugs were not for accused's personal consumption - Whether trial judge was correct in rejecting appellant's defence of personal consumption - Whether chemist's evidence flawed - Whether intention to traffic in the said drugs established - Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, ss. 37(da), 39B(1)(a), (2)
Agus Agil v. PP
(James Foong, Hasan Lah & Sulong Matjeraie JJCA) [2010] 9 CLJ 125 [CA]

Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 - Section 39B(1)(a) - Trafficking in dangerous drugs - 341.1gms of methamphetamine - Charge amended to one of possession by High Court - High Court finding that accused had no intention to traffic in the dangerous drugs - Whether High Court had erred - Whether large amount of drugs in accused's possession indicated that the drugs were not for accused's personal consumption - Accused arrested with large amount of drugs concealed on his person while waiting to board a flight back to his country of origin - Whether intention to traffic in the said drugs established - Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, ss. 37(da), 39B(1)(a)
PP v. Agus Agil
(James Foong, Hasan Lah & Sulong Matjeraie JJCA) [2010] 9 CLJ 149 [CA]

LAND LAW

Indefeasibility of title and interests - Registration - Claim of beneficial ownership and irrevocable licence to occupy part of land - Whether such interests capable of registration under the National Land Code - Whether such interests recognizable under the Torrens System
Teo Bee Ann & Anor v. Goh Say Dock & Anor
(Ahmadi Asnawi J) [2010] 9 CLJ 238 [HC]

Ownership - Dispute - Joint venture agreement and irrevocable power of attorney - Whether valid - Rule in Turquand's case - Valuable consideration - Notice of contravention - Good faith - Defaulting party benefiting from its own default - Whether time of essence - Estoppel - Beneficial ownership - Powers of Attorney Act 1949, s. 6 - Companies Act 1965, s. 132C(1), (3)
Ezzen Heights Sdn Bhd v. Ikhlas Abadi Sdn Bhd
(Mohd Zawawi Salleh JC) [2010] 9 CLJ 225 [HC]

Power of attorney - Irrevocable power of attorney - Creation - Registration - Valuable consideration - Validity of irrevocable power of attorney - Powers of Attorney Act 1949, s. 6
Ezzen Heights Sdn Bhd v. Ikhlas Abadi Sdn Bhd
(Mohd Zawawi Salleh JC) [2010] 9 CLJ 225 [HC]

LANDLORD AND TENANT

Duration - Lease - Lease over part of land - Whether limited to a maximum of 30 years - Whether such lease determinable by bare notice to quit - Whether lease intended to confer tenants with irrevocable rights to occupy and use part of land in perpetuity - National Land Code, s. 221(3)(b)
Teo Bee Ann & Anor v. Goh Say Dock & Anor
(Ahmadi Asnawi J) [2010] 9 CLJ 238 [HC]

Lease or licence - Written agreement between parties - Whether agreement intended to establish a tenancy or licence - Whether agreement intended to bind successor-in-title or personal representatives of parties
Teo Bee Ann & Anor v. Goh Say Dock & Anor
(Ahmadi Asnawi J) [2010] 9 CLJ 238 [HC]

LIMITATION

Accrual of cause of action - Action for negligence - Appeal against decision allowing plaintiff's application to amend statement of claim - Addition of new party - Whether decision appealable - Rules of the High Court 1980, O. 20 r. 5(1), O. 56 r. 1 - Limitation Act 1953, s. 6(1)
Al-Hamidi Chek Mat v. Dr Ganga Devi & Ors
(Ho Mooi Ching JC) [2010] 9 CLJ 193 [HC]

STATUTORY INTERPRETATION

Construction of statutes - Conjunctive or disjunctive - Purposive approach - Construction of s. 24A of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964 - Whether s. 24A(2)(a), (b) and (c) to be read conjunctively or disjunctively - Whether consent of parties necessary before High Court refers the whole cause or any question or issue of fact arising therein to be tried by special referee or arbitrator - Courts of Judicature Act 1964, s. 24A
Bank Simpanan Nasional v. Cyber Business Solutions Sdn Bhd; Elsag Datamat Spa (Third Party)
(Hamid Sultan Abu Backer J) [2010] 9 CLJ 202 [HC]

TORT

Negligence - Bailment - Bailee's duty of care - Duty to take care of bailor's goods as a reasonable man would have taken care of his own goods of the same volume and value - Whether bailee failed in its duty as bailee
Tai Seng Glass Sdn Bhd v. Jasa Kita Warehousing Service Sdn Bhd
(Low Hop Bing, Ramli Ali & T Selventhiranathan JJCA) [2010] 9 CLJ 161 [CA]

Negligence - Medical negligence - Claim for damages - Appeal against decision allowing plaintiff's application to amend statement of claim - Addition of new party - Whether decision appealable - Limitation - Rules of the High Court 1980, O. 20 r. 5(1), O. 56 r. 1 - Limitation Act 1953, s. 6(1)
Al-Hamidi Chek Mat v. Dr Ganga Devi & Ors
(Ho Mooi Ching JC) [2010] 9 CLJ 193 [HC]

INDEKS PERKARA

PROFESION UNDANG-UNDANG

Jawatankuasa Tatatertib - Dapatannya - Syor Jawatankuasa Tatatertib untuk membatalkan keahlian kedua-dua responden apabila terbukti mereka telah terlibat dalam transaksi penipuan, frod dan salahlaku sebagai peguambela dan peguamcara - Sama ada Lembaga Tatatertib mempunyai alasan yang kukuh untuk tidak bersetuju dengan syor tersebut - Sama ada dapatan yang dibuat oleh Lembaga Tatatertib melangkaui dapatan fakta yang dibuat oleh Jawatankuasa Tatatertib - Akta Profesion Undang-Undang 1976, s. 103C(1)(c)(iii)
Elanggoven Suppannan lwn. Pathmanabhan Naliannen & Satu Lagi
(Marina Yahya PK) [2010] 9 CLJ 218 [HC]

Tatatertib profesional - Salahlaku - Rayuan terhadap sebahagian keputusan Lembaga Tatatertib yang telah menggantung keahlian kedua-dua responden sebagai peguambela dan peguamcara untuk tempoh satu tahun - Sama ada keahlian kedua-dua responden harus dibatalkan - Dapatan fakta dan syor Jawatankuasa Tatatertib - Sama ada dapatan yang dibuat oleh Lembaga Tatatertib melangkaui dapatan fakta yang dibuat oleh Jawatankuasa Tatatertib - Salahlaku yang serius - Kepentingan awam - Akta Profesion Undang-Undang 1976, s. 103C(1)(c)(iii)
Elanggoven Suppannan lwn. Pathmanabhan Naliannen & Satu Lagi
(Marina Yahya PK) [2010] 9 CLJ 218 [HC]

^^

CASE OF THE WEEK

MALAYAN TESTING LABORATORY SDN BHD v. STANDARD CHARTERED BANK MALAYSIA BHD

TORT: Negligence - Duty of care - Banker and customer - Cheques - Whether bank had knowingly or negligently facilitated unauthorised cheques drawn from customer's account - Whether customer contributory negligent

CIVIL PROCEDURE: Limitation - Cause of action - When accrued - Limitation Act 1953, s. 6

BANKING: Banker and customer - Cheques - Whether bank knowingly or negligently facilitated unauthorised cheques drawn from customer's account - Whether customer contributory negligent


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