ASIAN INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION CENTRE 1. ) ONE AMERIN RESIDENCE SDN BHD 2. ) CHOON HON LENG 3. ) RAGAWANG CORPORATION SDN BHD 4. ) MENTERI KERJA RAYA 5. ) MENTERI DALAM JABATAN PERDANA MENTERI (UNDANG-UNDANG)

ASIAN INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION CENTRE 1. ) ONE AMERIN RESIDENCE SDN BHD 2. ) CHOON HON LENG 3. ) RAGAWANG CORPORATION SDN BHD 4. ) MENTERI KERJA RAYA 5. ) MENTERI DALAM JABATAN PERDANA MENTERI (UNDANG-UNDANG)

Section 34(1) of CIPAA 2012, by its clear words "No action or suit shall be instituted or maintained in any court against an adjudicator or the KLRCA or its officers for any act or omission done in good faith in the performance of his or its functions under this Act," bars proceedings including judicial review against the appellant where acts or omissions are done in good faith; the provision is presumptively constitutional and its plain language must be given effect, subject to the good faith qualification set out in the section.

Citation
01(i)-31-12/2023(W) (Mahkamah Persekutuan)
Parties
Appellant: Asian International Arbitration Centre (KLRCA); First Respondent: One Amerin Residence Sdn Bhd; Second Respondent: Choon Hon Leng; Third Respondent: Ragawang Corporation Sdn Bhd; Fourth and Fifth Respondents: Menteri Kerja Raya; Menteri Dalam Jabatan Perdana Menteri (Undang‑Undang)
Court
i
Jurisdiction
Malaysia
Judgment Date
13 February 2025
Case Number
01(i)-31-12/2023(W) (Mahkamah Persekutuan)
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal (federal Court) / Final Appellate Judgment
Outcome
Appeal allowed; appellant entitled to rely on s.34(1) CIPAA 2012 to bar the proceedings
Legal Topics
Statutory Immunity, Judicial Review, Immunity From Suit, Plain Meaning Rule, Good Faith Requirement
Source Language
Malay/English
Construction Law Arbitration Law Administrative Law Constitutional Law Statutory Interpretation Statutory Immunity Judicial Review Immunity From Suit +2 more

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Parties

Asian International Arbitration Centre (KLRCA)

Appellant

One Amerin Residence Sdn Bhd

First Respondent

Choon Hon Leng

Second Respondent

Ragawang Corporation Sdn Bhd

Third Respondent

Menteri Kerja Raya; Menteri Dalam Jabatan Perdana Menteri (Undang‑Undang)

Fourth and Fifth Respondents

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal (federal Court) / Final Appellate Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether s.34(1) of CIPAA 2012 bars court proceedings including judicial review against the KLRCA/adjudicators
  2. 2 Whether s.34(1) is constitutional
  3. 3 Whether the words "action or suit" include judicial review

Ratio Decidendi

Section 34(1) of CIPAA 2012, by its clear words "No action or suit shall be instituted or maintained in any court against an adjudicator or the KLRCA or its officers for any act or omission done in good faith in the performance of his or its functions under this Act," bars proceedings including judicial review against the appellant where acts or omissions are done in good faith; the provision is presumptively constitutional and its plain language must be given effect, subject to the good faith qualification set out in the section.

Court Disposition

Appeal allowed; appellant entitled to rely on s.34(1) CIPAA 2012 to bar the proceedings

Orders

  • Appeal allowed.
  • The first respondent's judicial review proceedings against the appellant are barred by s.34(1) of the Construction Industry Payment and Adjudicating Act 2012 insofar as the acts or omissions complained of were done in good faith.