OFFICIAL BOOK LAUNCH: CIVIL & CRIMINAL APPEALS IN MALAYSIA (4TH EDITION)

30 January 2024 - Asia International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) Auditorium, Kuala Lumpur

On this day, the much-awaited Civil and Criminal Appeals in Malaysia (4th Edition) authored by our very own managing partner Mr Tan Kee Heng was formally launched by the Chief Justice of Malaysia, Right Honourable Tun Tengku Maimun binti Tuan Mat. The publisher, Thomson Reuters (Sweet & Maxwell Malaysia)  organised this book launch at the Asia International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) Auditorium in Kuala Lumpur which was graciously attended by the Right Honourable Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB Dato’ Sri Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof, President of the Court of Appeal Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim, judges of the Federal Court Tan Sri Nallini Pathmanathan and Dato Rhodzariah Bujang, Court of Appeal judges, High Court judges and senior members of the Bar. The latest publication of the book comes 7 years after Mr Tan’s 3rd edition back in 2017 which was launched by Tun Datuk Seri Panglima Richard Malanjum (then Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak).

The event began with a panel discussion featuring panel members Tan Sri David Wong Dak Wah (Former Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak), Dato Lee Swee Seng (then Court of Appeal Judge), Dato Abu Bakar Jais (Federal Court Judge) and Datuk Vernon Ong Lam Kiat (Former Federal Court Judge) who exchanged views on the evolving landscape of appellate practices in the legal domain.

YAB Dato’ Sri Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof delivered a Special Closing Address, which echoed the remark made by YAA Tan Sri Dato’ Abdul Rahman bin Sebli (Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak) in the Foreword of this book that Mr. Tan Kee Heng is a proud asset of the Borneo States for his contribution to a number of legal publications for over 20 years including the publication of the Borneo Law Reports published by Sweet & Maxwell. 

The Deputy Prime Minister also asserted that the judiciary can be assured of the continued support of the Government for an independent judiciary where all the cases in court will be heard impartially without any  interference from the Executive. The independence and integrity of the Courts must be protected by all the stakeholders at all times and at all costs in order for our country to strengthen global investor confidence.

In his concluding remark,  YAB Dato’ Sri Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof congratulated Mr Tan for achieving this feat and for his valuable contribution to the legal fraternity and judiciary. The Deputy Prime Minister stated, “I believe that the legal fraternity and the Judiciary would appreciate his tireless efforts and dedication in this publication which will enrich our understanding on the appellate practice and inspire a new generation of legal minds to approach their profession with diligence and integrity for the benefits of the society as a whole”.

In the foreword to this book, YAA Tun Tengku Maimun binti Tuan Mat says, “[T]his book will be an invaluable resource and an essential reference tool for all those involved in the appellate process, whether they are judges, practitioners, litigants, students, or other legal professionals”.

On a similar note, Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak, Tan Sri Dato’ Abdul Rahman bin Sebli states, “... this book will serve as a valuable resource for all appellate advocates. It is a handy reference with meticulous research and compelling analysis on the practice and procedure for civil and criminal appeals in Malaysia”.

Additionally, President of the Court of Appeal, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abang Iskandar bin Abang Hashim writes, “The treatment of the legal principles and procedure on appeals in this book is wholly practical rather than academic”.