Did the Malaysian Federal Court in AmGeneral v Sa’Amran revolutionise motor insurance law? [Saamran: 1/11]

There are more private cars on Malaysia’s roads than there are Malaysians to drive them. In one consolidated judgment of eight appeals, the Federal Court in Sa’Amran rebuilt the law that governs what happens when one of them causes harm — and decided, point after point, that the victim comes first. This is the gateway to a ten-part series.

Read More

Is a prime minister immune from civil suits?

Do you remember an essay I wrote in 2018? The one that argued that a former PM enjoyed no immunity from criminal prosecution? Stand that principle on its head. Is a prime minister immune from a civil suit, [e.g. a suit for breach of contract to buy a property]? What if she did enjoy such an immunity? What would happen?

Read More

The Promise and the Perils of Artificial Intelligence in Court Work

Artificial Intelligence flows through the hallowed halls of justice as the morning mist—pervasive, transformative, and unstoppable. Courts and lawyers alike should embrace AI — with wisdom, not fear. Frost reminds us, “The best way out is always through.” No machine can ever match the human soul's eternal quest for justice. That fire burns beyond all programming.

Read More

Can the Home Minister declare a 7-star hotel as a prison?

"Don't be ridiculous!", is what you would say. Why not? This is because on March 6, 2025, it was reported that Malaysia’s Home Minister could declare any place (including a house) as a 'prison' under sec.3 of the Prisons Act 1995 (the Act). This was meant to – and did spark – a heated debate: could the Home Minister use his discretion to incarcerate a prisoner at a luxurious residence? ...

Read More

Do Malaysian non-Muslims have the fundamental right to worship?

The answer is, Yes. The Malaysian Federal Constitution, specifically Article 11(1), read with Art 3(1) and (5), guarantees every individual’s right to ‘profess’, ‘practice’, and, subject to certain laws prohibiting proselytisation to Muslims, to ‘propagate’ their religion. The Constitution therefore guarantees that non-Muslims have the same fundamental right of worship as do our Muslim counterparts. I will all tell you an interesting story at the end.

Read More