Posts

Showing posts from November, 2025

Candour, Courts, and the Misuse of Safeguards

Image
                                                              Disclaimer: This commentary is general in nature and not related to any ongoing case. It is intended for public education and discussion of legal principles, not as commentary on the merits of any specific matter before the courts.   In every courtroom, whether in Washington or Kuala Lumpur , one principle stands above all others: candour to the court . Lawyers may argue fiercely, they may present facts selectively, but they cannot lie. Judges rely on counsel’s word to keep the machinery of justice running. When candor is compromised, credibility collapses.

How to Report False Evidence in Malaysia: A Practical Guide

Image
  📜 Introduction Fabricating or knowingly using false evidence in judicial proceedings is a serious offence under the Penal Code of Malaysia (Act 574) . Sections 192, 193, 196, and 468 provide for imprisonment of up to seven years and fines. But knowing the law is only half the battle. The real question is: how do you report it when you encounter false evidence in court? This guide walks you through the process step by step.

Legal Case - Win the battle and lose the war.

Image
 I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice. Consult your lawyer for legal advice. ⚖ ️ – Win the Battle, Lose the War In litigation, even a completely victorious defendant often “wins the battle but loses the war” — financially. Legal costs can be crushing, and victory on paper may still feel hollow in practice. Do you all remember my MANTRA : 'Make it happen; don't let it happen.' Let us think about this.    Yet our legal system does recognize exceptions. When a case is brought or defended in bad faith, vexatiously, frivolously , or simply to harass the other side, courts have tools to shift nearly all of the winner’s fees and costs onto the loser. 🔹 Mechanisms for Fee-Shifting Frivolous pleadings or motions: If a party or attorney files documents that are not grounded in fact or law, or are filed for harassment or delay, the court can impose sanctions. These sanctions may include “reasonable attorney’s fees ” caused by the violation.   Inhere...

Malaysian Legal Spotlight: When Fabricating Evidence in Court Crosses into Criminal Territory

Image
  I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice. Consult your lawyer for legal advice. 📜 Introduction In the high-stakes world of Malaysian litigation, the line between aggressive advocacy and outright criminality can blur—especially when it comes to submitting false evidence to the court. The Penal Code of Malaysia (Act 574) makes it clear: fabricating or knowingly using false evidence is not just unethical, it is a crime punishable by imprisonment and fines.   ⚖ ️ The Law: Section 193 of the Penal Code Section 193 states:

Facing the Unfaceable: A Baldwin Reminder for Sabah's Silent Sentinels

Image
                                                                       In the dim corridors of Sabah 's bureaucracy, where emails vanish into the ether and meetings dissolve like morning mist, James Baldwin 's words cut through the fog like a lighthouse beam. "Not everything that is faced can be changed," he reminds us, "but nothing can be changed until it is faced." For three agonizing years, my battle over Vistana Heights —a once-dreamy hillside haven turned bureaucratic nightmare—has been a testament to this truth. And today, with election whispers in the air and integrity programs like Varsha dangling like unripe fruit, it's time to stare down the shadows.

My email to YB Datuk Seri Safar Untong, the State Secretary of Sabah

Image
  Safar Untong I recently emailed YB Datuk Seri Safar Untong, the State Secretary of Sabah , to inquire whether he could address some of the questions I had previously directed to the Chairman of L&S. Unfortunately, I have not received a response. For context, I approached him specifically because he formerly served as Director of both L&S and Lembaga Juruukur Sabah —positions that make him uniquely positioned to provide insight. If he does not have the answers, it is unlikely anyone else would.

My email to PDRM and KPKT

Image
  Here is my email to PDRM and an email to KPKT upon the request of PDRM From: luqman michel <luqmanm2002@yahoo.co.uk> To: rmp@rmp.gov.my <rmp@rmp.gov.my>; kpb_karamunsing@rmp.gov.my <kpb_karamunsing@rmp.gov.my> Sent: Thursday, 25 September 2025 at 08:36:44 GMT+8 Subject: Follow-Up on Police Report R141774 and Request for Assistance Regarding KKTP Meeting

My email to the Ministry of Local Government and Housing

Image
  From:luqmanm2002@yahoo.co.uk To:pejabatskn.jkm@sabah.gov.my, www.dbkk@sabah.gov.my, Topwiracorporation@gmail.com, office@arkiteklys.my, mohdherddyerzuan.mohdsidik@sabah.gov.my   Thu 25 Sept at 06:40 Dear Mr. Stanley Chong ,

Election Eve Reckoning: Sabah Ministers, Where's the Action on My Vistana Heights Pleas? (Part 2)

Image
  Picking up from yesterday's post, where Sarawak 's Minister Juanda Drowie shone a light on the " little Napoleons and Rasputins " poisoning public administration, let's zoom in on my personal trench warfare with Sabah's bureaucracy . With state elections looming at month's end, it's time to ask: Are our ministers asleep at the wheel, or just too cozy with the civil servants pulling the strings? My Vistana Heights ordeal screams for answers – and accountability. Reflecting on Malaysia's anti-corruption push at the Vienna IACA conference (shoutout to Dato' Sri Azalina and Tan Sri Azam Baki for their 15% drop in cases via awareness drives), I can't help but feel the disconnect. National pledges for transparency and whistleblower shields sound great, but down here in Kota Kinabalu? They're as effective as a screen door on a submarine. My reports to the MACC's regional office ? Polite nods, no traction. Over three years, a si...

Echoes from Sarawak: "Little Napoleons" in Sabah's Backyard – My Vistana Heights Nightmare

Image
  If you've been following my saga at Vistana Heights in Kota Kinabalu , you know it's been a rollercoaster of frustration, red tape, and outright stonewalling. What started as a dream home purchase in 2019 has turned into a three-year battle against a web of bureaucratic indifference that feels less like public service and more like a fortress designed to protect the powerful. But here's the kicker: a bold warning from across the border in Sarawak has me nodding vigorously. It's like Minister Datuk Dr Juanda Drowie peered into my emails and meetings, then put words to the chaos. In a speech at the Sarawak-level International Anti-Corruption Day launch on November 7, Juanda didn't mince words. He called out the " little Napoleons " – those mid-level civil servants who, handed a sliver of authority, start acting like emperors, overstepping bounds and treating citizens like nuisances.

An Open Letter to YAB Chief Minister YB Datuk Seri Panglima Hj Hajiji Haji Noor

Image
Time for Malaysia to Embrace Mediation Reforms Like India I wanted to send this email directly to you, YAB Chief Minister, but I've decided against it—my previous emails to you and your ministers have gone unanswered, lost in the shuffle of bureaucracy. Instead, I'm sharing it openly here, in the hope that public visibility will finally spark the dialogue our communities deserve. If this reaches you, great. If not, perhaps it will inspire others to join the call. Subject: Urging Modernization of Mediation for Faster Housing Dispute Resolutions in Sabah . Dear YAB Datuk Seri Panglima Hj Hajiji Haji Noor, 

My e-mail to Datuk James Ratib

Image
  The Varsha Integrity Programme (Program VARSHA Integriti) is a flagship initiative of the Sabah State Government in Malaysia , designed to foster a culture of integrity, transparency, and anti-corruption within the public service sector. Launched as an "umbrella" framework, it integrates policies, procedures, and actions across state agencies to build a corruption-free administration, emphasizing ethical behavior beyond just avoiding overt corruption—such as addressing subtle "dishonesty without intent" that can erode public trust and lead to legal or disciplinary issues. The program targets public servants (penjawat awam) and promotes moral values, mental health, and professionalism to enhance governance efficiency and public confidence in the government.     Datuk James Ratib , a key proponent, stated during the launch: "The Varsha Integrity Programme serves as a major umbrella uniting policies, procedures, and actions to transform Sabah into a transparen...

My email to Director Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam Negeri Sabah dated 19.8.2025

Image
                                                                JPNS berkhidmat 24 jam From:luqmanm2002@yahoo.co.uk To:korporat.jpan@sabah.gov.my Cc:pejabatmayor.dbkk@gmail.com,upp.kktp.06@gmail.com Tue 19 Aug at 08:13   Director Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam Negeri Sabah Tingkat 2, Bangunan Persekutuan Jalan Mat Salleh, Tanjung Aru 88100 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Reflections on Malaysia's Anti-Corruption Pledge

Image
  Insights from the IACA Conference and a Personal Call for Local Reform Last night, I tuned into Astro Awani for what promised to be a pivotal discussion: an exclusive interview titled IACA: Komitmen Malaysia Banteras Rasuah . It's not just diplomatic posturing; it's a forum for sharing best practices, forging international cooperation, and holding governments accountable for eradicating corruption in all its forms—from petty bribes to grand-scale embezzlement. Malaysia's delegation, led by figures like Dato' Sri Azalina and Tan Sri Azam , arrived in Vienna with a bold agenda: reinforcing our national anti-corruption strategy and pushing for stronger enforcement mechanisms. The interview on Astro Awani dissected this commitment, offering Malaysians a glimpse into how these pledges translate (or should translate) to tangible action back home.

My email to director of Land & Survey and his response

Image
                                                       Click on the image for a better view The above is the reply from Datuk Bernard Liew , our Civil Servant, to my email below.   Here is my email to the chairman of Land & Survey – Datuk Bernard Liew. On Thu, Aug 7, 2025 at 9:36 AM luqman michel <luqmanm2002@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:       Dear Sr. Bernard Liew Chau Min,

Urgent Call for Support: Fighting for Justice in Sabah Housing Dispute

Image
                                                      Click on image for a clearer view Dear friends, family, and fellow Malaysians, I'm Luqman Michel, locked in a tough civil suit ( BKI-22NCVC-89-10/2025 ) against Topwira Corporation, Dewan Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu (DBKK), and others—including the Controller of Housing Sabah —over serious issues of housing development and consumer rights. My fight is for accountability and fairness, but legal battles are draining my resources. The defendants filed their Memorandum of Appearance, escalating the case. To keep going strong, I need your help to cover legal fees. Every ringgit counts toward justice! Donate securely: Affin Bank Malaysia : Account No. 200590014607 ( Luqman Michel ) PayPal : luqmanmichel@gmail.com No amount is too small—your support fuels this cause. Share widely if you can! DM for u...