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Summary of Malaysian Law on Purposive Exhibiting and Redaction of Documents in Affidavits

  • Purposive Exhibiting of Documents Under Malaysian law, documents should be exhibited in affidavits in support only if they are relevant and properly disclosed. Exhibiting documents in reply to prevent the opposing party from replying is generally discouraged, as it may be viewed as an abuse of process. The courts emphasize that affidavits should not be used to introduce new evidence or documents at a late stage to restrict the other party's opportunity to respond.References:
  • ["

    YOON HWA (1983) SDN BHD vs MINES RESORT SDN BHD & ORS - High Court Malaya Kuala Lumpur

    "]: Justice Wong Kian Kheong J highlighted that parties should not unilaterally redact or exhibit documents in affidavits without court leave, and redacted documents cannot be relied upon unless properly permitted.
  • Courts discourage the practice of exhibiting documents in reply to prevent the opposing party from replying, as it may lead to procedural unfairness.

  • Redaction of Documents Redaction of documents exhibited in affidavits must be done with court approval. Unilateral redactions without leave are not permissible, and reliance on redacted documents without proper court approval can lead to adverse inferences or dismissal of reliance on such documents.References:

  • ["

    YOON HWA (1983) SDN BHD vs MINES RESORT SDN BHD & ORS - High Court Malaya Kuala Lumpur

    "]: Justice Wong emphasized that redactions should not be unilateral and must be approved by court; otherwise, no adverse inference should be drawn against the opposing party for not replying to redacted parts.
  • Failure to Reply or File Affidavits in Response Plaintiffs or parties who do not file affidavits in reply or respond to affidavits in support may be deemed to have accepted the allegations or evidence presented. The courts have held that failure to respond can amount to admission of the facts asserted.References:

  • ["

    PENG CHOONG LENG vs KUA BOON HAUN (ENCL 51) - High Court Malaya Shah Alam

    "]: The court noted that failure to reply to affidavits may signify acceptance of the opposing party’s assertions.
  • ["

    MAYBANK ISLAMIC BERHAD vs SANSHAN CAPITAL SDN BHD & ORS (ENCL 7) - High Court Malaya Kuala Lumpur

    "]: The court observed that non-reply to affidavits can be construed as acceptance of the facts therein.
  • Raising Triable Issues When parties claim disputes over documents, courts assess whether the issues are genuine and whether the documents are properly exhibited and verified. Disputes over whether documents were received or signed are common grounds for raising triable issues.References:

  • ["

    NORDIN SIDIN vs MOHD KHALID NORDIN ORS (ENCL 39) - High Court Malaya Johor Bahru

    "], ["

    MOHD HAFIS JOHAN vs MOHAMED KHALED NORDIN & ORS (ENCL 28) - High Court Malaya Johor Bahru

    "], ["

    MARIA ABDUL NASSIR vs MOHD KHALID NORDIN & ORS (ENCL 38) - High Court Malaya Johor Bahru

    "]: Courts scrutinize whether documents are properly exhibited and whether the parties have genuinely disputed their authenticity or receipt, influencing whether triable issues are raised.
  • Procedural Law and Evidence Procedural rules are not to be used to frustrate justice; unverified pleadings or improper reliance on documents can undermine the process. Proper verification and adherence to procedural rules are essential for documents to be relied upon as evidence.References:

  • ["2024 0 Supreme(MP) 670"]: The law emphasizes that procedural laws are subservient to justice, and non-compliance with verification requirements can disqualify documents from evidentiary reliance.

Analysis and Conclusion

Malaysian law generally discourages the practice of exhibiting documents solely in reply to prevent the opposing party from responding. Redactions must be approved by the court, and unilateral redactions are not permitted. Parties are expected to exhibit all relevant documents in their initial affidavits; failure to do so may lead to adverse inferences. Courts scrutinize whether documents are properly exhibited, verified, and whether disputes over them are genuine. Using affidavits in a manner that restricts the opposing party's right to reply or introduces documents late in the process may be challenged as an abuse of process or procedural unfairness. Overall, adherence to procedural rules and fairness in document disclosure are paramount in Malaysian civil proceedings.

Constraints on Late Exhibition of Documents in Affidavits in Reply under Malaysian Law

Scope of Affidavit in Reply in Malaysian Law

Introduction

In Malaysian litigation, affidavits play a pivotal role as sworn statements that form the backbone of evidence in applications like summary judgments. A common question arises: Under Malaysian law, what is the scope of an Affidavit in Reply? Specifically, can an Affidavit in Reply exhibit documents that were supposed to be exhibited in the Affidavit in Support? This issue is critical in ensuring procedural fairness and preventing manipulation of evidence.

This blog post delves into the procedural rules, case law precedents, and practical implications, drawing from key Malaysian judgments. While this provides general insights, it is not legal advice—consult a qualified lawyer for your specific case.

The Role of Affidavits in Malaysian Litigation

Affidavits are sworn statements used extensively in interlocutory applications, particularly under Order 14 of the Rules of Court 2012 (ROC 2012) for summary judgment. The Affidavit in Support initiates the application, laying out the facts and exhibiting supporting documents to demonstrate no triable issues exist. EMPIRE HOLDINGS LTD vs SURUHANJAYA SEKURITI MALAYSIA & ORS - High Court Malaya Kuala Lumpur (2023)

The Affidavit in Reply (or Affidavit in Opposition) responds to the supporting affidavit, aiming to raise triable issues or rebut claims. Its scope is generally limited to addressing matters raised in the Affidavit in Support, rather than introducing entirely new evidence. However, courts have allowed certain exhibits in reply affidavits under specific circumstances, provided they are relevant and not manipulative. 1996 0 Supreme(Cal) 240

As noted in general principles, affidavits must be truthful and accurate, serving as the evidentiary basis for claims or defenses. Manipulating exhibits—such as suppressing facts or affirming falsehoods—undermines this integrity and can lead to severe consequences. EMPIRE HOLDINGS LTD vs SURUHANJAYA SEKURITI MALAYSIA & ORS - High Court Malaya Kuala Lumpur (2023)

Scope of Affidavit in Reply: Exhibiting Documents

Permitted Scope and Limitations

Under ROC 2012 Order 14, rule 7, the respondent may file an affidavit in reply within 14 days, stating why judgment should not be entered. This affidavit typically verifies the defense and exhibits documents to support triable issues. But can it include documents that should have been in the Affidavit in Support?

Generally, no. The Affidavit in Support should contain primary evidence. Introducing key documents in reply that were available earlier may be viewed as tactical delay or abuse of process. Courts expect parties to present their best case upfront. However, reply affidavits can exhibit:- Documents directly rebutting the support affidavit's claims.- Newly discovered evidence (if genuine).- Clarifications or further details on existing issues.

In one case, the court noted the defendant ought to have taken the opportunity to file a further affidavit in reply to provide evidence to support the Defendant's allegations... Submissions in that two invoices bearing numbers 34527 and 34538 ('Invoice Nos 34527 and 34538') stated in para 5(b) of the Plaintiff's Affidavit In Reply (encl 15)—highlighting that reply affidavits can reference or exhibit responsive documents like invoices not previously detailed.

MODALKU VENTURES SDN BHD vs BESI GAYA (KLANG) SDN BHD

Case Law Insights

Malaysian courts scrutinize exhibits in reply affidavits closely, especially in summary judgment applications:

  • Exhibit Relevance in Reply: In a debt recovery suit, letters of offer were duly exhibited to the Plaintiff's affidavit in support, but the First Defendant's Affidavit in Reply (affirmed by Chan Eng Leong) and Plaintiff's subsequent reply addressed additional documents. This shows reply affidavits can exhibit responsive materials without necessarily being barred, provided they raise genuine triable issues.

    AMBANK (M) BHD vs GLOBAL TOBACCO MANUFACTURES INTERNATIONAL SDN BHD & ORS

  • No Triable Issues from Late Exhibits: Where a plaintiff failed to exhibit key documents earlier, courts dismissed unsubstantiated claims in reply. For instance, What remained undeniable and undisputed was the fact that the plaintiff had signed the following documents (exhibited respectively as MHS1-MSH4 to the 4th defendant's Affidavit-In-Support)—emphasizing that reply affidavits must not contradict clear support evidence without strong backing. Summary judgment was granted as no triable defense was shown.

    ROZILA LONG vs MOHD KHALID NORDIN & ORS

  • Manipulation Risks: Deliberate omission or late exhibition can be seen as manipulation. In a notable case, an affidavit in opposition suppressed material facts, such as higher authorities rejecting a policy change, misleading the court. The deponent was accused of affirming a false affidavit with no probative value, constituting abuse of process. 1996 0 Supreme(Cal) 240

Further, courts have penalized false affirmations, noting officers do not enjoy special privileges and must adhere strictly to truthful affidavits. 1996 0 Supreme(Cal) 240

Procedural Rules Governing Exhibits

ROC 2012 Order 14, rule 2 requires the Affidavit in Support to exhibit documents making the case clear and concise. Reply affidavits under rule 7 should not ambush with withheld evidence. Breaches may lead to:- Striking out the affidavit.- Costs orders.- Adverse inferences.

In banking disputes, defendants' reply affidavits claiming triable issues (e.g., due to MACC freezing orders) failed when exhibits did not establish genuine defenses, reinforcing that obligations persist despite external issues.

AMBANK (M) BHD vs GLOBAL TOBACCO MANUFACTURES INTERNATIONAL SDN BHD & ORS

Legal Implications of Improper Exhibition

Exhibiting documents in reply that belong in support can invite challenges:- Abuse of Process: Strategic withholding distorts facts and hinders opposition. 1996 0 Supreme(Cal) 240- Contempt of Court: Suppression or falsification undermines justice. EMPIRE HOLDINGS LTD vs SURUHANJAYA SEKURITI MALAYSIA & ORS - High Court Malaya Kuala Lumpur (2023)- Perjury: Knowingly false exhibits attract Penal Code charges.

Courts respond sternly, as in cases dismissing manipulated affidavits and awarding summary judgment.

ROZILA LONG vs MOHD KHALID NORDIN & ORS

MODALKU VENTURES SDN BHD vs BESI GAYA (KLANG) SDN BHD

Practical Tips for Litigants

To avoid pitfalls:1. Exhibit Comprehensively in Support: Include all key documents upfront.2. Limit Reply to Rebuttals: Use exhibits only for direct responses; seek leave for new evidence.3. Ensure Truthfulness: Verify facts to prevent perjury risks.4. File Further Affidavits if Needed: Courts may allow additional replies for genuine issues.

MODALKU VENTURES SDN BHD vs BESI GAYA (KLANG) SDN BHD

Conclusion and Key Takeaways

The scope of an Affidavit in Reply in Malaysian law is primarily responsive, allowing exhibits that rebut the Affidavit in Support but not as a substitute for primary evidence. Late exhibition of supposed support documents risks dismissal as manipulative or abusive, as seen in precedents emphasizing affidavit integrity. 1996 0 Supreme(Cal) 240EMPIRE HOLDINGS LTD vs SURUHANJAYA SEKURITI MALAYSIA & ORS - High Court Malaya Kuala Lumpur (2023)

Key Takeaways:- Prioritize full disclosure in the Affidavit in Support.- Reply affidavits may exhibit rebuttal documents but face scrutiny.

MODALKU VENTURES SDN BHD vs BESI GAYA (KLANG) SDN BHD

- Manipulation leads to sanctions, contempt, or perjury.- Always uphold truthfulness to maintain judicial fairness.

For tailored advice, engage a Malaysian legal professional. Stay informed on ROC 2012 updates to navigate affidavits effectively.

Sources:- EMPIRE HOLDINGS LTD vs SURUHANJAYA SEKURITI MALAYSIA & ORS - High Court Malaya Kuala Lumpur (2023)1996 0 Supreme(Cal) 240

MODALKU VENTURES SDN BHD vs BESI GAYA (KLANG) SDN BHD

ROZILA LONG vs MOHD KHALID NORDIN & ORS

AMBANK (M) BHD vs GLOBAL TOBACCO MANUFACTURES INTERNATIONAL SDN BHD & ORS

#MalaysianLaw, #AffidavitReply, #LegalMalaysia
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