BORNEO ADR WEEK 2024

15-19 July 2024 - Kuching, Sarawak

The Borneo Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Week 2024, jointly organised by Legal Plus and L2 i-CON International, was held from the 15th to the 19th of July across various locations in Kuching. Over the week, attendees witnessed many engaging discussions and heard many valuable perspectives from high-calibre legal professionals, construction experts, industry leaders and various esteemed organisations and ADR communities on a series of diverse topics in relation to ADR. Our firm participated in two of the sessions.

15 July 2024: Navigating ADR Through The Lens of Borneo (9 AM-12 PM)

On Monday the 15th at Pullman Hotel Kuching, Borneo International Centre for Arbitration and Mediation (BICAM) kicked off the first event of the week with two panel discussions on arbitration and mediation. BICAM Chairman Tan Sri David Wong Dak Wah delivered a welcome speech, introducing BICAM to attendees who may be unfamiliar with BICAM, inviting them to reap the benefits of arbitration and mediation.

This was followed by the 1st session of the morning which explored court-annexed mediation, with Mr Alex Ngu (Alex, Jason & Co) arguing in favour and Ms Samrith Kaur (Samrith Sanjiv & Partners) arguing against. This was moderated by Tan Sri David Wong Dak Wah and featured Puan Afidah binti Abdul Rahman (Head of Mediation Court and Sessions Court Judge), who gave the Court’s perspective from her experience in the Sarawak Court.

To celebrate BICAM’s first year in existence, Mr Tan, alongside Tan Sri David Wong, Mr Alex Ngu, Ms Samrith Kaur, Puan Afidah and speakers from the 2nd session joined in on a cake cutting session.

The 2nd session on the topic ‘Navigating Legal Avenues: Courtroom Trials and Arbitration Hearings’ featured Mr Abang Iwawan (Abang & Co) as moderator and Court of Appeal Judge YA Dato’ Lim Chong Fong (Court of Appeal Judge), Dato Varghese George (retired Court of Appeal Judge) and Mr Alvin Yong (Alvin Yong Advocates) as speakers who weighed in on the merits and limitations of arbitration from their varied experiences. As with the 1st session, attendees were offered the opportunity to engage with the speakers, to pose questions and give their own perspectives on the respective topics.

Smoothly wrapping up the first event of ADR week, Mr Tan Kee Heng as a council member of BICAM made a Closing Remark reaffirming BICAM's commitment to promoting arbitration and mediation as the preferred methods for dispute resolution in Borneo. He also expressed his optimism in the future of arbitration and mediation in Borneo and beyond, especially with Borneo’s strategic location and growing economic significance, making it a well-positioned hub for both local and international dispute resolution.

18 July 2024: Reshaping Dispute Resolution in Borneo (2-5pm)

Asia International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) hosted the afternoon segment on Thursday at Sheraton Hotel Kuching.

Dato’ Mary Lim Thiam Suan, as the Chairperson of the Protem Committee for the AIAC Court of Arbitration delivered the opening remarks shortly before moderating the 1st session titled ‘All Hands on Deck: Positioning Malaysia as a Preferred Seat of Arbitration’. The panel for this session comprised Mr Tan Kee Heng, Mr Sanjay Mohanasundram (Sanjay Mohan Advocates) and Mr Gurvir Singh Sandhu (AAS President). This session delved into the arbitration scene in Malaysia and discussed the collaborative and strategic initiatives necessary to draw international arbitration to Borneo.

After a thought-provoking first session, attendees connected and conversed with one another over a brief intermission, featuring light refreshments and tea. For the 2nd session, Datuk Stephen Chung (Former Court of Appeal Judge), Mr Liew Tang Chieh (AAS Kuching Branch Chairman), and Ms Janice Wong Heu Fun (Lind Willie Wong and Chin) took the stage to speak on ‘Seizing ADR opportunities in Regional Markets’. This panel was moderated by Ms Loshini Ramarmuty (Skrine).