Latest news with #LarryRalon
Daily Express
18 minutes ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
GRS-PH pact a collective decision: Hajiji
Published on: Wednesday, July 30, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jul 30, 2025 By: Larry Ralon Text Size: KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor ( pic ), who is also Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Chairman, has clarified that the decision to work with Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the upcoming 17th Sabah state election was made collectively. He said all GRS component party leaders were consulted before finalising the move, countering claims that the agreement was made unilaterally. Hajiji addressed the matter following speculation that the cooperation was his sole initiative, which he firmly denied. He explained that discussions within the GRS leadership led to the decision, in line with their practice of consensus-based decision-making. The Chief Minister had earlier announced that GRS and PH had agreed to work together in PRN17 to reinforce the existing state government. GRS comprises Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, PBS, Star, SAPP, Usno, PCS, LDP, and Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah. Sabah PH includes PKR, DAP, Upko, and Amanah. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Tackling key themes in modern dispute resolution
Published on: Saturday, July 26, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jul 26, 2025 By: Larry Ralon Text Size: Kota Kinabalu: This year's conference tackled key themes in modern dispute resolution, including an ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) Roundtable, the launch of the Expert Determination Rules and a session exploring the role of Generative AI in arbitration. Another highlight is a discussion on Court-Annexed Mediation and its practical applications for enforcing settlement agreements, an issue gaining traction under the Singapore Convention on Mediation. Wong also praised Harbans Singh, a well-respected mediator and Bicam Council member, for leading recent training sessions for the judiciary, Housing Ministry and Justice of the Peace Associations in Penang and Selangor. 'Harbans does this for free and even donates his own well-regarded book on mediation to participants. His dedication is a reflection of the spirit we aim to cultivate at Bicam,' he said. As Bicam positions itself at the forefront of institutional arbitration and mediation in the region, Wong emphasised that continued growth will come through education, engagement and public trust. 'Every effort has reaffirmed one principle: ADR, when accessible and well-administered, is a powerful tool to resolve conflict and promote progress,' he said. 'This conference is yet another step in our journey, to build a lasting, inclusive and innovative dispute resolution ecosystem for Sabah and beyond.' * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Smooth work pass clearance a plus for Bicam
Published on: Saturday, July 26, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jul 26, 2025 By: Larry Ralon Text Size: Wong said the move is a key enabler to strengthen cross-border access to justice and international arbitration in Sabah. Kota Kinabalu: The Borneo International Centre for Arbitration and Mediation (Bicam) has secured a significant milestone Sabah Immigration's assurance to facilitate the smooth issuance of work passes for foreign counsel, arbitrators and experts involved in cases registered with the centre. Bicam Chairman Tan Sri David Wong said the move is a key enabler to strengthen cross-border access to justice and international arbitration in Sabah. 'For those visiting Sabah for the first time and wondering how foreign arbitrators and counsel can practise here, unlike in Peninsular Malaysia or Sarawak where ad hoc admission is not automatic, even West Malaysian need the High Court's permission to practise law in Sabah. 'But now, with the support of the State Attorney-General's Chambers and the Sabah Law Society, any case registered with Bicam will face no objection to ad hoc admission. It's essentially a formality,' he said. There have already been successful cases involving arbitrators and counsel from West Malaysia, underlining Bicam's commitment to 'borderless' arbitration. Wong also credited the Sabah Government for its proactive role in supporting Bicam's development. 'Since Bicam's inception, the State Government has issued a directive that all state government-linked companies and departments must include the Bicam ADR clause in contracts involving work in Sabah,' he said. He added that legal practitioners in Sabah have also increasingly incorporated the Bicam model clause as a matter of course in contracts, signalling wider acceptance within the legal community. 'Business will come. It may take three to five years as disputes don't arise overnight, but they will. And when they do, we'll be ready,' he said. Since its establishment in July 2023, Bicam has already handled five arbitration cases and successfully persuaded clients and lawyers to select the centre even when contracts pointed to other venues. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Bicam rules help fill arbitration gap
Published on: Saturday, July 26, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jul 26, 2025 By: Larry Ralon Text Size: Chin said the launch underscores Bicam's commitment to innovation and relevance in the dispute resolution space. Kota Kinabalu: The Borneo International Centre for Arbitration and Mediation's (Bicam) Expert Determination Rules 2025, the first of its kind in Malaysia developed by an established arbitration centre, promises to fill a crucial gap in the country's alternative dispute resolution (ADR) framework. Bicam Council Member Datuk Roger Chin, who is also the Bicam Global ADR Horizons 2025 co-organising chairman, said the centre was proud with the launch of the rules. 'This wasn't done for headlines. It was done because a need was clear, and unmet,' he said at the conference held at The Magellan Sutera Resort on Thursday. Framing the rules as a practical solution for technical and time-sensitive disputes, Chin stressed that expert determination serves a distinct and increasingly relevant role in today's legal and commercial landscape. 'Not all disputes belong to court. Not every matter benefits from arbitration. Sometimes, what parties need is technical clarity, delivered quickly and decisively,' he said. He added that sectors such as construction, infrastructure, valuation and energy often require swift and specialised resolution, where traditional litigation or arbitration may be too costly or cumbersome. 'Expert determination is not new. But it's been underused, underdeveloped and undervalued, until now,' he said. 'These new Bicam Rules offer a credible, fit-for-purpose alternative: professional, adaptable, final.' Chin said the launch underscores Bicam's commitment to innovation and relevance in the dispute resolution space. 'More than anything, these rules show what we believe Bicam must be, a platform not just for dialogue, but for delivery,' he said. 'To be nimble. To be useful. To fill the gaps that others overlook.' He emphasised that true leadership in the ADR field is about foresight and responsiveness. 'Leadership isn't about being the oldest name in the room. It's about being the one willing to move first when something needs doing,' he said. The launch of the Expert Determination Rules is just one of several forward-looking initiatives featured in this year's Bicam Global ADR Horizons 2025 programme. Chin said the three-day event would explore some of the most pressing and practical challenges facing the dispute resolution community today, including how Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) concerns are reshaping risk and accountability; the ethical and strategic integration of generative AI into arbitration; the enforceability and design of court-annexed mediation frameworks; and whether the global ADR community is ready to embrace faster, leaner and less complex procedures. 'These are not theoretical exercises, they're real-world challenges for those building bridges, writing contracts, closing deals and solving disputes in real time, under real pressure.' Introduction of Bicam Expert Determination Rules marks a significant step forward in diversifying and strengthening the ADR tools available in Malaysia, especially in Sabah. Coupled with Bicam's growing portfolio, which includes arbitration, mediation and training, the new rules position the centre as a dynamic and solutions-driven institution. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Explain struggles, achievements: Chief Minister
Published on: Saturday, July 26, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jul 26, 2025 By: Larry Ralon, Rahim Matnin Text Size: Hajiji (seated, middle) in a group photo with Gagasan Rakyat top leaders, information chiefs and committee members. Kota Kinabalu: Chief Minister cum Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) President Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor called on the party's information machinery to step up efforts to explain the party's struggles and achievements of the current State Government to the people. 'Today, we begin the session by meeting with the party's information chiefs from every division at all levels,' he said, when officiating 'Gasak 17: This Is the Time' organised by Gagasan Rakyat at Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), Friday, the first day of the three-day Gagasan Rakyat annual assembly. 'We asked them to activate all party machinery at every level. Let's mobilise our team to explain about the party's mission and what the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah-led (GRS) State Government has delivered so far. 'These must be communicated clearly to the public,' stressed Hajiji, who is also Chairman of GRS, after the closed-door seminar. He also underlined the important role of the party's Women, Youth and Beliawanis wings in ensuring the party's messages and information reach to all segments of society throughout Sabah. According to Hajiji, strong cooperation between the party's grassroots information machinery and the top leadership is essential to further strengthen public support for Gagasan Rakyat and the State's ruling coalition. The seminar was attended by 400 information chiefs and committee members from 74 Gagasan Rakyat divisions across the State. The seminar aimed to align the party's communication strategy and empower its information machinery to address current political challenges ahead of the upcoming State election. Hajiji is confident that with a well-organised and committed information team, Gagasan Rakyat would continue to strengthen its position in Sabah and provide the best service to the people. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
