03 Apr 2025

MLJ Alerts: Apr 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

‘ [136] The doctrine of promissory estoppel is an extension of the common law estoppel by representation. It is an English doctrine of equity and in certain circumstances provides an exception to the principle of consideration which must exist to form a valid contract. It must be borne in mind that estoppel aims to prevent unfairness, and applies when parties act on an agreement, making it unjust for one to revert to original terms. As far as the law on promissory estoppel is concerned, it cannot by itself give rise to a cause of action. In other words, promissory estoppel cannot be used to create an enforceable contract because of the absence of consideration. It is only used as a shield. …’

- Zabariah Yusof FCJ

Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd v Port Kelang Authority [2025] 2 MLJ 238 [FC]

Week 1 Updates

1. Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd v Port Kelang Authority [2025] 2 MLJ 238 [FC]

Coram ZABARIAH YUSOF, HASNAH HASHIM AND ABDUL KARIM FCJJ
Catchwords Contract— Consideration— Lack of consideration
Outcome Appeal dismissed; decision of Court of Appeal affirmed with costs of RM100,000 to respondent (plaintiff ) subject to allocatur.
Counsel Names

  • Porres P Royan (with Prem Ramachandran, Shaarvin Raaj a/l Selva Kumar and Craig HoWai Ping) (Kumar Partnership) for the appellant.

  • Nimalan Devaraja (withWong Shun Yong) (Skrine) for the respondent.

2. Dato’ Ting Ching Lee v Ting Siu Hua [2025] 2 MLJ 295 [FC]

Coram ABDUL RAHMAN SEBLI CJ (SABAH AND SARAWAK), NORDIN HASSAN AND ABDUL KARIM FCJJ
Catchwords Contract— Illegality— Gaming or wagering
Outcome Appeal allowed; COA’s decision with respect to the respondent’s counterclaim set aside; and decision of the High Court restored.
Counsel Names

  • Shankar Ram (with Bong Ah Loi, Lai Wong *** and Boston Ho Teck Howe) (Suhaili & Bong Advocates) for the appellant.

  • Lim Heng Choo (with Roger Chin and Analissa Lim) (Lim & Lim Advocates) for the respondent.

3. Mohd Riza bin Mat Rani & Ors v Zurich General Takaful Malaysia Bhd & Anor [2025] 2 MLJ 224 [CA]

Coram RAVINTHRAN, MARIANA YAHYA AND LIM CHONG FONG JJCA
Catchwords Insurance — Motor insurance — Liability
Outcome Appeal allowed; decision of High Court set aside with costs of RM30,000 here and below.
Counsel Names

  • R Ganavathy Naidu a/l N Rasu (G Naidu & Partners) for the appellants.

  • CM Maran (KennethWilliam & Assoc) for the respondents.

4. Kevin Liang Chin Boon lwn Pendakwa Raya dan satu lagi rayuan [2025] 2 MLJ 278 [CA]

Coram AHMAD ZAIDI IBRAHIM, AZMAN ABDULLAH AND AZMI ARIFFIN HHMR
Catchwords Prosedur Jenayah — Rayuan — Rayuan terhadap sabitan dan hukuman
Outcome Rayuan tertuduh kedua terhadap sabitan ditolak; rayuan tertuduh kedua terhadap hukuman dibenarkan; hukuman gantung sampai mati diketepikan dan digantikan dengan hukuman pemenjaraan selama 30 tahun dari tarikh tangkapdan 12 sebatan.
Counsel Names

  • Ridha Abdah bin Subri (Adhwa’ Afiqah bt Mohd Azmi bersamanya) (Ridha & Co) bagi pihak perayu.

  • Mohd Amril bin Johari (Timbalan Pendakwa Raya, Jabatan Peguam Negara) bagi pihak responden.

Week 2 Updates

1. Pendaftar Mualaf Negeri Perlis & Ors v Loh Siew Hong and another appeal [2025] 2 MLJ 324 [FC]

Coram TENGKU MAIMUN CHIEF JUSTICE, NALLINI PATHMANATHAN AND ABU BAKAR JAIS FCJJ
Catchwords Civil Procedure — Appeal — Leave to appeal
Outcome Application for leave dismissed.
Counsel Names

  • Mohd Radhi bin Abas (with Ainul Wardah bt Shahidan) (Perlis State Legal Advisor’s Office) in Civil Appeal No 08(f)-35–02 of 2024(W) for the first, third and fourth appellants.

  • Haniff Khatri (with Zainul Rijal bin Abu Bakar, Aidil Khalid, Hariz bin Yusoff, Danial Farhan bin Zainul Rijal and Ali Huzaifah bin Shariff Ahmed) (Chambers of Zainul Rijal) in Civil Appeal No 08(f)-35–02 of 2024(W) for the second appellant.

  • Mohd Radhi bin Abas (with Ainul Wardah bt Shahidan) (Perlis State Legal Advisor’s Office) in Civil Appeal No 08(f)-47–02 of 2024(W) for the second respondent.

  • Srimurugan a/l Alagan (Shamsher Singh Thind, Gunamalar a/p Joorindanjn and Thian Yee Chin) (Srimurugan & Co) in Civil Appeal No 08(f)-35–02 of 2024(W) and 08(f)-47–02 of 2024(W) for the respondent.

2. MT Ventures Sdn Bhd & Anor v QM Print Sdn Bhd [2025] 2 MLJ 341 [CA]

Coram AZIZAH NAWAWI, SUPANG LIAN AND SEE MEE CHUN JJCA
Catchwords Civil Procedure — Appeal — Notice of appeal
Outcome Respondent’s motion allowed with costs.
Counsel Names

  • Justin Voon Tiam Yu (with Melissa Chan Shyuk Wern) (Justin Voon Chooi & Wing) for the appellants.

  • Ooi Chih Jen (with See Shu Min) (KY Lim & Partners) for the respondent.

3. Peguam Negara Malaysia v Maria Chin bt Abdullah [2025] 2 MLJ 373 [CA]

Coram MARIANA YAHYA, MOHD NAZLAN AND AZMAN ABDULLAH JJCA
Catchwords Civil Procedure — Judicial review — Application for leave
Outcome Appellant’s appeal allowed with no order as to costs; decision of the High Court set aside.
Counsel Names

  • Ahmad Hanir bin Hambaly @ Arwi (Senior Federal Counsel, Attorney General's Chamber) for the appellant.

  • Rosli bin Dahalan (with Zeti Zulfah bt Hassan @ Zulkifli, Amiratu Al Amirat bt Saleh Mohamed Garbaa and Elani bt Mazlan) (Nurul Hafidzah & Assoc) for the respondent.

  • Zainul Rijal Abu Bakar (with Danial Farhan Zainul Rijal) (Chambers of Zainul Rijal) watching brief for Majlis Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur (MAWIP).
    .

4. Yong Kok Yeap v Precious Concrete Sdn Bhd [2025] 2 MLJ 360 [CA]

Coram AZIZAH NAWAWI, SUPANG LIAN AND SEE MEE CHUN JJCA
Catchwords Civil Procedure — Appeal — Notice of appeal
Outcome Respondent’s motion allowed with costs.
Counsel Names

  • Justin Voon Tiam Yu (with Melissa Chan Shyuk Wern) (Justin Voon Chooi & Wing) for the appellants.

  • Ooi Chih Jen (with See Shu Min) (KY Lim & Partners) for the respondent.

Week 3 Updates

1. Kang Hock Hin v Vasanthi a/p R Annamalai [2025] 2 MLJ 402 [CA]

Coram AZIZAH NAWAWI, SEE MEE CHUN AND LIM CHONG FONG JJCA
Catchwords Civil Procedure — Consent order — Breach of
Outcome Appeal allowed.
Counsel Names

  • Dinesh Kanavaji a/l Kanawagi (with Rabia bt Abd Halim) (Rabia Farihan & Sures) for the appellant.

  • Chandrakandan a/l Sankaran (with Maithily a/p Manoher) (C Sankaran & Co) for the respondent.

2. Ong Yew Teik v Ng Wai Pin and other appeals [2025] 2 MLJ 454 [CA]

Coram KAMALUDIN MD SAID, HASHIM HAMZAH AND COLLIN SEQUERAH JJCA
Catchwords Civil Procedure — Striking out — Appeal against order allowing striking out
Outcome Judicial commissioner’s order set aside; appeals allowed; all cases remitted back to High Court for full trial with costs of RM60,000 for each appeal subject to allocatur
Counsel Names

  • Roshan Selvaratnam (Roshan Advocates & Solicitors) in Civil Appeal Nos W-02(IM)(NCvC)-1194–06 of 2022, W-02(IM)(NCvC)-1195–06 of 2022, W-02(IM)(NCVC)-1196–06 of 2022 and W-02(IM)(NCVC)-1197–06 of 2022 for the appellant.

  • Ng Wai Pin (Elizabeth Lau Advocates & Solicitors) in Civil Appeal No W-02(IM)(NCvC)-1194–06 of 2022 for the respondents.

  • Wong Yoke Yen (Kit & Assoc) in Civil Appeal No W-02(IM)(NCvC)-1195–06 of 2022 for the respondents.

  • Michael Gunalan Benedict (with Wong Fook Lin) (Surendra Ananth Advocates & Solicitors) in Civil Appeal No W-02(IM)(NCvC)-1196–06 of 2022 for the respondents.

  • Kamal YP Tan (Robert Low & Ooi) in Civil Appeal No W-02(IM)(NCVC)-1197–06 of 2022 for the respondents.

3. Mohd Azman bin Yaacob v Tenaga Nasional Bhd [2025] 2 MLJ 414 [CA]

Coram NANTHA BALAN, AZIMAH OMAR AND AZMI ARIFFIN JJCA
Catchwords Public Utilities — Electricity — Permission to erect electricity towers and lines (‘structures’) on private property
Outcome Appeal dismissed and High Court's decision affirmed.
Counsel Names

  • Wan Jawahir bt Harun (with Mohd Khuzaimi Mohd Salleh) (Wan Jawahir & Takiyuddin) for the appellant.

  • (David Mathew) (with David Ng Yew Kiat and Ananthan Moorthi) (Steven Thiru & Sudhar Partnership) for the respondent.

4. M Shahool Hameed B Mohamed Meerah v Pengarah Tanah dan Galian Negeri Selangor & Ors [2025] 2 MLJ 435 [CA]

Coram NANTHA BALAN, MOHD NAZLAN AND CHOO KAH SING JJCA
Catchwords Tort — Negligence — Duty of care
Outcome Appeal dismissed.
Counsel Names

  • Asheeq Ali bin Sethi Alivi (with Ananciata Margaret Diego) (Asheeq Ali & Co) for the appellant.

  • Siti Radziah bt Kamarudin (with Mohd Abdul Hakim bin Mohd) (Assistant Legal Advisor, Selangor State Legal Advisor’s Office) for the respondents.

Week 4 Updates

1. AGM Duty Free (Tengah) Sdn Bhd v Mohamad Hafiz bin Ishak & Ors [2025] 2 MLJ 474 [CA]

Coram MARIANA YAHYA, HASHIM HAMZAH AND FAIZAH JAMALUDIN JJCA
Catchwords Customs and Excise — Seizure — Intoxicating liquors (‘goods’)
Outcome Order accordingly.
Counsel Names

  • JR Ravendren a/l J C Ramalu (with Janeni Devi a/p Ravendren and Sri Kanapathi a/l Nyanasegaran) (J R Ravendren & Assoc) for the appellant.

  • Noor Fadzila bt Ishak (Senior Federal Counsel, Selangor State Legal Advisor's Office) for the respondents

2. Etiqa Family Takaful Bhd (previously known as Etiqa Takaful Bhd) v Ketua Pengarah Hasil Dalam Negeri and another appeal [2025] 2 MLJ 536 [CA]

Coram AZIZAH NAWAWI, SEE MEE CHUN AND LIM CHONG FONG JJCA
Catchwords Revenue — Income tax — Appeal against additional assessment
Outcome Appeals dismissed.
Counsel Names

  • S Saravana Kumar (with Yap Wen ***) (Rosli Dahlan Saravana Partnership) in Civil Appeal No W-01(A)-726–09 of 2022 for the appellant.

  • Ashrina bt Ramzan Ali (with Surani bt Che Ismail) (Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia) in Civil Appeal No W-01(A)-726–09 of 2022 for the respondent.

  • Ashrina bt Ramzan Ali (with Surani bt Che Ismail) (Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia) in Civil Appeal No W-01(A)-746–10 of 2022 for the appellant.

  • S Saravana Kumar (with Yap Wen ***) (Rosli Dahlan Saravana Partnership) in Civil Appeal No W-01(A)-746–10 of 2022 for the respondent.

3. Lee Kam Lan v Lou Mai Chun & Ors [2025] 2 MLJ 496 [CA]

Coram SUPANG LIAN, HASHIM HAMZAH JJCA AND WAN AHMAD FARID J
Catchwords Succession — Distribution of estate — Will and testament
Outcome Appeal allowed.
Counsel Names

  • Joshinae Wong (with Irvin Wong Chee Ming and Nursyazriena bt Ya’akub) (Christina Chia Law Chambers) for the appellant.

  • Caryn Shua (with Karen Tan) (Richard Tee & Chin) for the respondents.

4. Dr Esa Kamaruzaman v Dr Neville ak Michael Gomis (suing as the administrator of the estate of Maisarah bt Repin, deceased) & Ors [2025] 2 MLJ 513 [CA]

Coram SEE MEE CHUN, LIM CHONG FONG AND AZHAHARI RAMLI JJCA
Catchwords Tort — Negligence — Medical negligence
Outcome Appeal on liability dismissed; and appeal on quantum of damages allowed.
Counsel Names

  • Barvina Punnusamy (with Sabrina bt Ahmad Kamal) (Jayadeep Hari & Jamil) for the appellant.

  • Manmohan Singh Dhillon (with Alicia Chin) (P S Ranjan & Co) for the first respondent.

  • Felix Raj (with Fazliza bt Azli) (Felix Raj Chambers) for the second respondent.

  • Aw Ee Va (with Ahmad Aizek Busu) (Chan Ban Eng & Co) for the third respondent.

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