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The Star
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Royal recognition for sign language interpreter
KUALA LUMPUR: With more than four decades of dedication as a sign language interpreter, Tan Lee Bee is the face seen by millions of Malaysians watching the news programmes on television. Often seen at the corner of the television screen showing her expressive facial expressions, Tan, 64, was grateful to have been awarded the Bintang Ahli Mangku Negara (AMN) from His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, during the investiture ceremony in conjunction with the King's official birthday celebration at Istana Negara yesterday. She described the award as a great recognition for her in the 'silent' struggle to convey the voices of the 'voiceless'. 'I feel happy, moved; I feel like crying too... I feel very grateful,' the veteran sign language interpreter told Bernama after the ceremony. Although the award was celebrated in a ceremonial atmosphere at the palace, for Tan, it came with long memories and the twists and turns of life in a career that received little public attention. 'This recognition is not just for me but a symbolic tribute to every interpreter who works silently for fairer inclusivity in Malaysia,' she said. Tan's journey as a sign interpreter began not because of ambition but because of love and empathy for her younger sister, who is deaf. 'I learnt sign language because of my sister. Then, I started working as a teacher for the deaf. I was a teacher for 17 years. 'While I was a teacher, I also served as an interpreter with the Federal Court of Malaysia,' said Tan, who also became the first court sign interpreter in Malaysia in 1994. The contribution of the Segamat native to the world of broadcasting began earlier in 1985 when she appeared on television through the show Selamat Pagi Malaysia. Her face and sign language actions became important visuals in news broadcasts on RTM as well as in official communication videos, advertisements and various broadcasting mediums, which played an important role in conveying information to special groups.
The Star
02-06-2025
- General
- The Star
Sign language interpreter Tan Lee Bee receives award from King for her service over four decades
KUALA LUMPUR: With more than four decades of dedication as a sign language interpreter, Tan Lee Bee was amply recognised when she was conferred the Bintang Ahli Mangku Negara (AMN) by His Majesty, Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia, on Monday (June 2). Often gracing the corner of the television screen of news programmes with expressive facial expressions, Tan, 64, described the award as a great recognition of her 'silent' struggle to convey the voices of the 'voiceless'. "I feel happy, moved, I feel like crying too... I feel very grateful," the veteran sign language interpreter said after the investiture ceremony in conjunction with the King's official birthday celebration, at Istana Negara. "This recognition is not just for me but a symbolic tribute to every interpreter who works silently for a fairer inclusivity in Malaysia," she said. Tan was among 16 individuals who received the AMN award at the ceremony, which also saw Attorney General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar and Armed Forces chief Gen Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar being bestowed with the Darjah Panglima Mangku Negara (PMN), which carries the title of Tan Sri. Tan's journey as a sign interpreter began not because of ambition, but because of love and empathy for the person closest to her heart, her younger sister, who is deaf. "I have a deaf sister… I learned sign language because of my sister. Then I started working as a teacher for the deaf. "I was a teacher for 17 years. While I was a teacher, I also served as an interpreter with the Federal Court of Malaysia," she said, who was also the first court sign interpreter in Malaysia in 1994. The contribution of the native of Segamat, Johor, to the world of broadcasting began around 1985 when she appeared on television through the show Selamat Pagi Malaysia. Her face and sign language actions became important visuals in news broadcasts on RTM as well as in official communication videos, advertisements and various broadcasting mediums that played an important role in conveying information to special groups. Apart from RTM, Tan also provided her services to corporate companies with employees with disabilities, offering information, meetings, and briefings. Meanwhile, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, who was bestowed with the Darjah Panglima Setia Mahkota (PSM), which carries the title of Tan Sri, said the award was a great recognition for him as well as an honour for the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM). "Thanking His Majesty for this gift, I will continue to carry out the duties and responsibilities entrusted to me with full commitment, to ensure that the country's security is always maintained," he said. He also called on all enforcement officers at various levels to uphold the spirit of Sultan Ibrahim's decree, which requires them to carry out their duties with trust and integrity. Present at the ceremony was Her Majesty, Raja Zarith Sofiah, the Queen of Malaysia. Also present were the Prime Minister's wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Speaker of Dewan Rakyat Tan Sri Johari Abdul, Speaker of Dewan Negara Datuk Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah, Minister of Communications Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and other members of the cabinet. - Bernama
New Straits Times
23-04-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Landmark judgment that strengthens business confidence
LETTERS: On April 8, 2025, the Federal Court of Malaysia delivered a landmark ruling in a commercial contract dispute that has far-reaching implications for business law and contract interpretation in our country. The judgment, delivered by the Judge Tan Sri Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh, not only settled a contentious case involving a Minimum Guaranteed Sum (MGS) clause but also offered much-needed clarity on how courts should interpret written agreements, performance obligations, and legal doctrines in commercial settings. It confirms the court's role as an interpreter, not a draftsman of contracts, and reinforces certainty in commercial arrangements. At its core, the judgment upholds three key principles: respect for the written word, legal certainty in commercial dealings, and a pragmatic approach to performance obligations. The Court began by affirming a fundamental rule: written contracts are binding, and prior discussions or informal understandings cannot override them. The agreement in question contained an "entire agreement" clause, which meant all previous negotiations were superseded once the final contract was signed. Because the document made no mention of an MGS or guarantee, the Court refused to imply such a term. This is a critical reminder to businesses — if something is important, it must be written into the contract. The courts will not assume or insert terms after the fact, no matter how significant the earlier discussions may have been. A central issue in the case was whether a clause requiring a party to use "reasonable endeavours" made the contract uncertain or meaningless. The defendant claimed that such a term was too vague to enforce. The Court disagreed. Terrirudin explained that "reasonable endeavours" clauses are commonly used in commercial agreements and are valid. They do not mean one must guarantee an outcome, but that one must make a genuine, reasonable effort to achieve it. This is particularly relevant in industries where results depend on external factors beyond full control. By supporting the enforceability of such clauses, the Court acknowledged the practical needs of businesses that often face uncertain or changing conditions. Another key point was the Court's firm reliance on Malaysia's Evidence Act, which limits the use of external or verbal statements to interpret a written contract. Terrirudin emphasised that courts must focus on what is clearly stated in the contract, not on what one party later claims was intended. This protects businesses from surprise claims and encourages careful contract drafting. Equally important was the Court's handling of the contra proferentem rule, often used to interpret ambiguous terms against the party that drafted them. The Court reminded us that this rule is a last resort and should only apply when true ambiguity exists. In this case, the wording was clear, so there was no need to stretch or distort it. The judgment also addressed a common legal challenge: when one party claims the other failed to meet a "reasonable endeavours" obligation, who must prove what? Terrirudin clarified that the burden of proof lies with the party making the allegation. Simply saying, "You didn't do enough" is not sufficient. Concrete evidence must be shown that the other party acted unreasonably. This protects contract holders from being unfairly blamed for outcomes beyond their control. Lastly, the Court dismissed the argument that one clause in the contract overruled another. Instead, it interpreted them together in a way that made sense and preserved the overall purpose of the agreement. This shows a commitment to reading contracts as coherent, functional documents — something that helps reduce unnecessary legal battles. Terrirudin's judgment is a milestone in commercial law. It affirms the importance of clear contract terms, sets a reasonable standard for performance obligations, and discourages overreliance on technical legal arguments that add confusion rather than clarity. For legal professionals, businesses, and investors, this decision offers confidence that Malaysia's highest court is aligned with both legal principles and commercial realities. In a world where predictability and fairness are essential for investment and growth, this judgment is a positive step forward. It reinforces the idea that the law is not just about resolving disputes — it is also about building trust in our institutions and our economy. Kuala Lumpur
