International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) Law Journal
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JUSTICIABILITY OF LEGISLATIVE PROCEEDINGS: A LEGAL ANALYSIS OF THE MALAYSIAN COURTS’ APPROACH
No full textThe issue of whether courts can review legislative processes has always been at centre stage in constitutional discourse. Sometimes, some members of the legislature, being aggrieved on certain decisions or procedures the leadership of the House adopts in a situation, approach the courts for its intervention. Yet, Malaysian legal and constitutional frameworks seem to be that proceedings of the legislature are not justiciable. Based on this premise, the paper is intended to analyse the Malaysian courts’ approach towards actions brought to challenge certain proceedings of the legislature by the aggrieved members. To achieve this, the paper analyses issues relating to suspension of legislative members; removal of legislative members from committees or as principal members; disqualification of legislative members; injunction to stop the proceedings of the legislature; and confirmatory proceedings of the legislature. It uses provisions of Malaysian Constitution, courts’ decisions and opinions of experts to enrich this study. The paper finds that courts’ attitude has been largely that of the hands’ tied approach despite sufficient constitutional stings in members’ actions which should have justified the courts’ intervention.ABSTRAKIsu sama ada mahkamah boleh mengkaji semula proses perundangan sentiasa berada di pentas utama dalam wacana perlembagaan. Kadangkala, sesetengah ahli badan perundangan, yang terkilan dengan keputusan atau prosedur tertentu yang diambil oleh kepimpinanan Dewan dalam sesuatu keadaan, akan meminta agar mahkamah campur tangan. Namun, kerangka perundangan dan perlembagaan Malaysia menampakkan yang prosiding perundangan tidak boleh diadili. Atas dasar ini, penulisan ini adalah bertujuan menganalisa pendekatan mahkamah Malaysia terhadap tindakan yang diambil untuk mencabar prosiding tertentu badan perundangan oleh ahli yang terkilan. Bagi mencapai maksud tersebut, penulisan ini menganalisa isu-isu berkaitan dengan penggantungan ahli badan perundangan; penyingkiran ahli dewan perundangan daripada jawatankuasa atau sebagai ahli utama; pengisytiharan ketaklayakan ahli dewan perundangan; tindakan injunksi bagi menahan prosiding badan perundangan; dan prosiding pengesahan oleh badan perundangan. Ia menggunakan peruntukan Perlembagaan Malaysia, keputusan mahkamah dan pendapat pakar bagi memperkayakan hasil kajian ini. Penulisan ini mendapati bahawa sikap mahkamah, secara umumnya, adalah mengambil pendekatan ‘tangan terikat’ walaupun terdapat sengat perlembagaan yang mencukupi dalam tindakan ahli badan yang sepatutnya mewajarkan campurtangan mahkamah
INDEPENDENT ADVICE CIRCULAR IN CORPORATE EXERCISES: REVISITING THE LAW ON FAIRNESS OPINION
No full textIndependent advice circulars are required in broad range of corporate transactions. The advice circulars are extensively used in takeovers and mergers of companies. The board of directors of the target company is required to appoint an independent adviser to prepare the independent advice circular, in order to assist the shareholders of the target company in making their decision in relation to the takeover offer. Malaysia has taken an approach similar to its Australian counterpart by not treating the term fair and reasonable as a composite term. This current approach which treats the term fair and reasonable disjunctively has raised concern especially where the adviser concludes that the offer is "not fair" but "reasonable". This paper examines the current approach which the advisers must adopt in preparation of the advice circular. It explains the possible issues this new approach may encounter. References are made to the Australian experience and literature in dealing with preparation of independent advice circular. An empirical study must be conducted in Malaysia in order to determine whether the current approach has indeed improve the quality of the advice circula
HUMAN TRAFFICKING: THE INTERNATIONAL, MALAYSIAN LEGAL FRAMEWORK AND SHARIAH PERSPECTIVES
No full textSlavery and forced labour have been accepted to be against humanity. These practices are expressly prohibited by the Federal Constitution in Malaysia. Although the prohibition of human trafficking is not expressly mentioned in the Constitution, it could be regarded as one of the most heinous crimes according to the letter, intent and spirit of the constitution. This is related to the fact that human trafficking is much associated with modern day slavery and therefore is against the ideology of the Malaysian nation and acceptable norms of the international community and Islamic law and Shariah values. The paper will explore the available international human rights and the laws governing human trafficking in Malaysia. The research is based on the current situation and cases of human trafficking in Malaysia. By understanding and observing these, it will help to conclude that trafficking has violated human rights and governing laws in Malaysia. The paper also looks at Islamic law perspectives on human trafficking, and to a certain extent, the stand taken by Muslim countries on the issue. The paper is mainly a conceptual and doctrinal discussion combined with critical legal analysis of certain laws in Malaysia. It will also involve some comparative elements with some Muslim countries where necessary.ABSTRAKPerhambaan dan buruh paksaan adalah bertentangan dengan peri kemanusiaan oleh masyarakat seluruh dunia. Amalan-amalan tersebut adalah jelas dilarang dalam Perlembagaan Persekutuan Malaysia. Walaupun larangan penyeludupan manusia tidak dinyatakan dengan bertulis dalam Perlembagaan, perbuatan tersebut dianggap sebagai salah satu jenayah yang paling kejam berdasarkan nilai-nilai yang tersurat, yang tersirat, dan juga dengan semangat perlembagaan. Tanggapan tersebut berkait rapat dengan fakta bahawa penyeludupan manusia berhubung-kait dengan perhambaan zaman moden, maka dengan itu penyeludupan manusia adalah bersalahan dengan ideologi negara Malaysia, dan juga bertentangan norma-norma masyarakat antarabangsa, dan juga dengan undang-undang Islam dan prinsip Syariah. Dalam artikel ini pemeriksaan dibuat terhadap undang-undang hak asasi manusia antarabangsa yang sedia ada dan undang-undang Malaysia yang berkaitan dengan jenayah penyeludupan manusia. Penyelidikan dalam artikel ini mengambil kira isuisu semasa dan kes-kes perdagangan manusia di Malaysia. Pemahaman dan pemerhatian tersebut akan membantu untuk membuat kesimpulan bahawa penyeludupan manusia adalah melanggar hak asasi manusia dan undang-undang di Malaysia. Artikel ini juga mengambil kira perspektif undang-undang Islam terhadap perdagangan manusia, dan seboleh mungkin memuatkan perbincangan mengenai pendirian yang diambil oleh negara-negara Islam mengenai isu ini. Penulisan ini merupakan satu perbincangan konseptual dan doktrinal dan digabungkan dengan analisis kritikal undangundang yang berkaitan di Malaysia. Ia juga akan mengandungi elemen perbandingan dengan merujuk kepada beberapa buah negara Islam
LEGAL CHALLENGES AFFECTING OFFSHORE TRUSTS POST 2008 FINANCIAL CRISIS
Get PDFThe phenomenal growth of offshore trusts valued in billions of dollars at the end of the last century as a result of its ability to attract, transfer and protect substantial sums of money from the settlor’s country to overseas jurisdictions with the potential to save, reduce, avoid and evade taxes have been subjected to critical examination by tax authorities, the courts, non-governmental organisations and the media, especially in the years following the 2008 financial crisis. The objective of this paper to briefly introduce the nature and uses of offshore is trusts and to focus on some of the important challenges they face in a hostile environment. An area of evolving interest is the secrecy issue inherent in offshore trusts which has been abused as a veil for tax avoidance/tax evasion
THE GROWTH OF PATIENT AUTONOMY IN MODERN MEDICAL PRACTICE AND THE DEFINED LIMITATIONS UNDER THE SHARĪ’AH
Get PDFThe concept of patient autonomy or self-determination is one of the dominant ethos in modern medical practice. The demands by patients to be given respect, independence and dignity in medical decision making have been heeded and mirrored in many ethical codes and judicial decisions. The development of the law relating to informed consent, euthanasia, confidentiality, and reproduction issues have clearly reflected the reinforcement of patient autonomy in which patients’ choices should be free from coercion and unwanted interference. Paternalistic infringement in these areas have been regarded as outmoded and are disfavoured, as respect for a patient’s right to determine his own destiny is given precedence. The escalating medico-legal cases have further emphasised the salience of this concept in the provision of medical services. Nevertheless, while the importance of patient autonomy is duly recognised, the advancement of this concept is not without its limitations; it accordingly has to evolve within the perimeters of one’s religious and cultural precepts. For Muslim patients, the right and ability to make their own choices and decisions about medical care and treatment must be within the defined limitations of the Sharī’ah. The emphasis on individualism, personal gratification and the denial of faith in medical decision making is inconsistent with Islamic values. Therefore it is necessary that principles relating to the concept of patient autonomy be developed within the sphere of the Sharī’ah, in order to ensure their coherence with the doctrinal requirements stipulated in Islam
RIGHTS OF FUTURE INTEREST AS MATRIMONIAL PROPERTY: SPECIAL REFERENCE TO EARNING CAPACITY
Get PDFTraditionally, the claims of matrimonial property are mainly confined to existing and personal property which exist or were acquired during the marriage prior to the divorce, such as buildings, land, vehicles, etc. However, with the changes in the economic sources and social behaviour of the modern society, whereby earnings and proprietary rights are no longer confined to merely property but also include future interest and future earnings such as investments, trust fund and business ventures, it is perceived that the scope of claims on matrimonial property shall also be revolutionised to include claims in future earnings of the divorced parties.This paper discusses the legal principle which the court could apply when it comes to claims on future interest as matrimonial property. The case law analysis is merely confined to the Malaysian precedents and the analogy of human capital earning is used by the writers to justify the possibility of claims in all types of future earnings as matrimonial property
PORT SECURITY VS ECONOMIC GAIN: AN EXPOSITION OF THE MALAYSIAN PORT AND MARITIME SECURITY PRACTICE
No full textSeaports represent economic development and act as focal points in the global strategic environment. The economic contribution through seaports of Malaysia relies heavily on safe passage of merchant ships through the Straits of Malacca and at Malaysian ports. The economic advantages to the Malaysian government due to the presence of the surrounding sea are enormous. However, these economic advantages through the ports are not without their own challenges as ships that call to unload are vulnerable to shipment of dangerous cargo and weapons. The question is whether the government should enhance the monitoring of foreign ships that unload at Malaysian ports bringing enormous economic gains to Malaysia? This paper recommends that economic gain should not be given priority over port security as the former may not be capable of remedying the havoc that could result through negligence in the latter.ABSTRAKPelabuhan melambangkan pembangunan ekonomi dan bertindak sebagai titik tumpu dalam persekitaran strategik sejagat. Sumbangan ekonomi melalui pelabuhan Malaysia bergantung harap kepada laluan selamat kapal-kapal dagang melalui Selat Melaka dan di pelabuhan-pelabuhan Malaysia. Kelebihan ekonomi kepada kerajaan Malaysia akibat dari kewujudan laut sekitar adalah amat besar. Walau bagaimanapun, kelebihan ekonomi melalui pelabuhan ini mempunyai cabaran yang tersendiri; memandangkan kapal yang berlabuh untuk memunggah barang muatan terdedah kepada penghantaran barangan dan senjata yang berbahaya. Persoalannya adalah sama ada pihak kerajaan perlu meningkatkan pemantauan terhadap kapal asing yang memunggah barang muatan di pelabuhan Malaysia dan membawa keuntungan ekonomi yang besar kepada Malaysia. Kertas ini mencadangkan bahawa keuntungan ekonomi tidak patut diberikan keutamaan berbanding dengan keselamatan pelabuhan memandangkan keuntungan ekonomi mungkin tidak mampu memperbetulkan kekacauan yang boleh terhasil akibat kecuaian dalam keselamatan pelabuhan
A CRITICAL EVALUATION OF THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR SME’s LOAN REDEMPTION IN NIGERIA
No full textSmall and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) scheme has been recognised as a vehicle for rapid sustainable economic development, industrialisation, employment generation, poverty alleviation, to mention but a few. No doubt, the country is in dire need of these indices of peoples’ welfare. Yet, conventional banks are reluctant to grant credit facilities to SMEs in order to boost their capital base and sustain their enterprises. The reason is that the existing legal frameworks are inadequate in ensuring efficient, effective and prompt loan recovery by the banks from the SMEs. This is more so that the beneficiaries of the SMEs loans are not required to pay interests when repaying the loan. Consequently, the positive effects of viable, effective and efficient SME schemes are not felt in the country. Based on this premise, this paper critically evaluates the adequacy or otherwise of legal/policy frameworks on SME loan redemption in Nigeria. To achieve this, it assesses the enforcement mechanism against beneficiaries of the SMEs scheme. The paper finds that the legal framework for redeeming loans against SMEs in Nigeria is inadequate owing to weak and ineffective enforcement mechanisms. It concludes that there is a need for a dependable, viable, effective and justly-balanced legal framework that would ensure smooth and reliable loan redemptions from SMEs
OIL DISCHARGE BY SHIPS AS A FORM OF SECURITY THREAT IN MALAYSIAN PORTS
No full textThe United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982 and some other conventions contain provisions concerning protection of marine environment that enjoy the support of many other regional, national and global institutions. Vessel- sourced pollution is one of the major sources of marine pollution that encompasses accidental as well as, intentional discharge of oil and chemicals, dumping, etc. The Malaysian legal framework requires the consent of the relevant authority for a discharge that is above the quantity allowed. However, despite the fact that there have been numerous regulations on the pollution of the marine waters it appears that pollution by vessels is still on the increase. The legal framework stipulating conditions for discharge of oil at seas is well established in many jurisdictions like Malaysia, however, some of the legal regulations appear to be inadequate, thereby threatening the marine environment and causing irreparable damage. This paper recommends prior consent of the appropriate authority and a stiffer penalty for every discharge of oil by vessels in order to avert hazardous damage. Keywords:
CHILDREN’S PARTICIPATION IN CUSTODY AND ACCESS PROCEEDINGS
No full textThe right of children to express their views in all matters affecting their lives is regarded as one of the important factors that concern their welfare. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and social science research support children's right to participate in family law proceedings, particularly in decisions of custody disputes, though there is no clear consensus on how this should be done. Many jurisdictions such as Australia and England incorporate several measures in their legislations in ensuring the meaningful involvement of children in family dispute resolution processes. The laws in Malaysia similarly uphold this right but do not provide specific measures to obtain the views of children. This paper seeks to discuss the importance of the child’s participation in the context of custody disputes and to examine the measures in which the views of children can be obtained. In doing so, it attempts to provide an overview of the current laws and the approach of the Civil and the Shariah courts in Malaysia in considering the views of children in custody disputes. For purposes of comparison, it briefly examines the legislations and the court practices in Australia and England on this matter. The purpose is to determine the best measure to be adopted by Malaysia and to propose statutory and non-statutory changes to ensure that children in Malaysia are given the right to have their voices heard in family law proceedings