Kasugi Prima Sdn Bhd v Cobrain Holdings Sdn Bhd

Case Significance

Kasugi Prima Sdn Bhd v Cobrain Holdings Sdn Bhd is a Court of Appeal (Mahkamah Rayuan) decision dated March 6, 2025 (citation: w-02ca-1146-07-2023). <p>Kasugi Prima Sdn Bhd appealed against the High Court's decision allowing the recognition and enforcement of an arbitration award in favour of Cobrain Holdings Sdn Bhd, arguing procedural impropriety in the arbitrator's invocation of authority under Section 21(3)(b) of the Arbitration Act 2005 to draw on her own expertise. The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, finding that the arbitrator's analysis of available evidence using her own expertise did not breach natural justice, and that the a The panel comprised Azimah binti Omar, Mariana binti Haji Yahya and Utama Wan Ahmad Farid bin Wan Salleh, with Azimah binti Omar delivering the judgment. Counsel appearing: Amira Nur Nadia binti Azhar (counsel for appellant), Anilraj A/L Verdamanickam (counsel for respondent), Kuan Kai Tat (counsel for appellant), Rajashree Suppiah (counsel for appellant), Tay Por Hai (counsel for respondent).

Key issues: Arbitrator’s authority under Section 21(3)(b) of the Arbitration Act 2005 and expertise to analyze evidence without breaching natural justice..