Category Archives: Law

The Constitutional Dilemmas of Malaysia’s New Mufti Bill

mufti bill 2024

The Mufti (Federal Territories) Bill 2024 has ignited significant debate, raising concerns from constitutional, democratic, and legal perspectives. One must ask: Why is this Bill necessary when the Administration of Islamic Law (Federal Territories) Act 1993 [Act 505] already exists? Under Act 505, in order for a fatwa to become binding in Selangor, it must […]

The October 17 Citizenship Amendment Bill: A Step Forward or a Misstep?

Citizenship Amendment Bill

Introduction The proposed constitutional amendments to Malaysia’s citizenship laws initially emerged as a noble effort to address long-standing gender inequality, aiming to grant Malaysian women the right to confer citizenship on their overseas-born children—something already afforded to Malaysian fathers. However, when the proposed amendments were finally revealed late last year, they included several controversial and […]

Playing by the Rule of Law

separation of power

In the final days leading to Dato’ Sri Najib Razak’s final appeal against his conviction and sentence in the Federal Court, two schools of thought divided the country. One was convinced that “justice delayed is justice denied”, while the other reasoned “justice hurried is justice buried”. When controversial blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin posted a leaked […]

Unfathomable Attitude towards the Protection of the Nation’s Sovereignty

tommy thomas pursed his lips

It’s utterly baffling. It boggles the mind that when our fellow Malaysians in Sabah are exposed to the dangers of foreign imperialism — when Malaysia’s very sovereignty is under threat — there are still those who would rather waste time arguing over: “Ni salah Najib ke, salah Tommy?” To begin, I would like to address those […]

Rebirth of maternity rules – but why abort S44A?

The law has changed for soon-to-be mothers. Maternity leave has been increased to 98 days, up from 60 days previously. Once gazetted, the amendments to the Employment Act 1955 as passed by the Dewan Rakyat on March 21st 2022 will have full effect of the law. Regrettably, this well-intended renaissance of maternity rules is not […]

Denying the natural rights of a mother is not compatible with any religion

Denying the natural rights of a mother is not compatible with any religion

Today, the Kuala Lumpur High Court allowed Madam Loh Siew Hong’s habeas corpus application to compel the immediate release of her three children who were unilaterally converted by her ex-husband, from the Perlis Welfare Department. What is so startling about this case is the fact that Madam Loh was compelled to apply for habeas corpus […]

What Muhyiddin’s name change means for our legislature

What Muhyiddin's name change means for our legislature

In April, the Shah Alam High Court ruled in favour of  a Sabahan who was arrested last year for allegedly distributing drugs on a writ of habeas corpus, citing, among other reasons, the fact that the name the minister used to sign the detention order – Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin – was invalid.  From […]

Finding Our Humanity When A Parent Is Found To Be Negligent

hot car death forgotten baby syndrome

Tragedy can happen to the best of us. And as parents, we can only pray that we would be able to go through our day with our children steering clear from harm, ensuring that they have the space to grow and thrive. But the arch of the law stands alone, administering its weight when tragedy […]

Looking into the strange case of Dr Khairuddin

Looking into the strange case of Dr Khairuddin

Ever since air traffic into Malaysia has been allowed again, the Government has decided that all individuals entering Malaysia from abroad will be subjected to compulsory quarantine orders under the Observation & Surveillance Order subject to the provisions of Section 15 (1) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342). Section […]

Courts the appropriate arena to decide Guan Eng & Betty Chew’s cases

Courts the appropriate arena to decide Guan Eng & Betty Chew’s cases

The courts are the best place for the prosecutors and defence to discuss the charges against former Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and his wife, Betty Chew. The emotions generated from the cases were expected as they involved heavyweight political figures. Betty Chew is a spouse of a politician but she is no ordinary […]