After two years of hectic and lively performance at the helm, the effervescent Mr.

Darryl Goon Siew Chye handed

over the reins of the MLSM to a newly elected committee, at the recently concluded AGM.

New Committee
The new committee with many new faces promises to be a potent, vibrant and action oriented force. They are
bubbling with ideas to keep the momentum going. The MLSM has been resuscitated and revitalised by my able
predecessor and we will have to keep the concatenation of activities flowing. These Promethean acts will be a hard
act to follow

Activities
There will be no insouciance and the new committee will punctiliously and assiduously plan activities throughout the
year. We will not just pullulate the Klang Valley with activities but hopefully have a few activities scattered throughout
the country.

MLSM Representatives
To increase the MLSM activities, we are planning to appoint MLSM representatives in all states to coordinate MLSM
programmes which will include lectures, workshops and seminars.

Colleges / Universities
The MLSM is planning a series of lectures / seminars with the various Medical and Law Colleges throughout the
Country. This will also raise the profile of the MLSM.

Membership
Another gargantuan task is to increase the membership which has only seen a trickle over the years. The life
membership which remains at RM 300 (till the approval is obtained by the Registrar of Societies to the amendment
made at the AGM to almost double the fees) will probably entice professionals to enlist in numbers. Only with a large
membership will the MLSM increase its clout, profile, recognition and relevance.

Newsletter / Digest /Journal

The MLSM is planning to have a Newsletter to keep members informed of MLSM activities. The Newsletter/ Digest
will incorporate medico-legal Case reports and articles amongst other relevant materials. Depending on the success
of this venture, the MLSM will gradually have a Medico-legal Law Journal to reflect the role of the MLSM. As this
involves costs, MLSM will have to source for funds to be able to sustain the publication.

Mediation/ Arbitration
It is with concern and apprehension that MLSM notes the increasing litigation in medico-legal cases and the
increasing awards, reaching RM 5 million, which are being granted by the courts. The doctors' indemnity premiums
have also quadrupled over the last decade. Unless the rising trend is curtailed, we will have less doctors seeking to
advance their careers in high-risk specialities which jeopardises the health needs of the citizens of the country. The
MLSM will make serious attempts to cajole the policy makers in the government to make mediation / arbitration
mandatory before seeking legal redress.

Members Interaction
Members are encouraged to pen their ideas, proposals and suggestions to the committee to consider for
implementation. There should more interaction which will be more propitious to the success of the MLSM. To
enhance the camaraderie amongst members we may have an Annual Dinner and perhaps organise tours with family
and friends of the MLSM

Conclusion
We all need to work together cohesively to attain the goals of the MLSM. MLSM should become a recognised body
that is able to influence policy matters affecting the citizens of the country. We need you to assist us.

Brief History
history
The Medico Legal Society of Malaysia was set up because the medical profession and the legal profession did not
have a common platform to discuss matters of common interest as well as for interdisciplinary co-operation. The legal
profession has its own organisation, the Bar Council, the medical profession has its own body known as the
Malaysian Medical Association and the dentists have their organisation called the Malaysian Dental Association.

Dato Mahadev Shankar and Dato Cecil Abraham together with a few other like minded lawyers and doctors took the
initiative to establish the Medico Legal Society in 1986. A Protem Committee with Dato Mahadev Shankar as
Chairman and Dato Cecil Abraham as Secretary was formed to implement the decision to establish this body. The
Protem Committee received the full support and endorsement of the Bar Council, the Malaysian Medical Association
and the Malaysian Dental Association for the formation of this body.

The then President of the Medico Legal Society of Singapore, the late Clin Prof Chao Tzee Cheng also provided all
the support and encouragement to the Protem Committee.

Dato Cecil Abraham, the Protem Secretary drafted the Constitution. The Constitution was adopted at the Inaugural
Meeting held on 14th February, 1987.

Dato Mahadev Shankar and Dato Cecil Abraham were elected as the President and Honorary Secretary respectively
at this Inaugural Meeting.

The Registrar of Societies approved the registration of the Society on 24th December, 1987.
Past Events

1. A half-day Seminar was held on 24th July 2010 at Mahkota Medical Centre, Melaka. The
Seminar was jointly organised by the Medico-Legal Society of Malaysia and the Medico-
Legal Society of Singapore, in co-operation with Mahkota Medical Centre. The Seminar
featured prominent speakers and moderators from Malaysia and Singapore, who discussed
the resolution of medical disputes through mediation and the different tests for liability for
medical negligence in Singapore and Malaysia. The Seminar was very successful and was
attended by over 200 participants.

2. A two-day Conference on Managing Medico-legal and Medical Ethics Events and Disputes
The Current Challenges was organized by the Medico-Legal Society of Malaysia on 30th
and 31st October 2010 at the Putra World Trade Centre. The keynote address was delivered
by the Director-General of Health of Malaysia, and prominent speakers and moderators from
Malaysia, Singapore and England addressed topical medico-legal issues. The topics that
were addressed included managing adverse events, grievance mechanism procedures,
dealing with adverse publicity, medical tourism, dealing with negligence and professional
misconduct, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution tools in medical disputes, and
mediation of medical disputes. There was also a mock mediation, and debates on liberalising
advertising in healthcare and on increasing healthcare regulation. The Conference was very
successful and was attended by over 200 participants. A copy of the Opening Adress by the
Director-General of Health is attached.

3. Lecture at Taylors University on 23 February 2011

Medico-legal Liability in Healthcare
Consistent with the Societys objective of involving itself more actively in education. The
President of the Society, Darryl SC Goon accepted an invitation from Taylors Law School to
take part in its Law Speaker Series. Raja Eileen Soraya, the Secretary of the Society also
attended to represent the Society.
The lecture examined and explained the Malaysian litigation system and traced the juridical
basis for liability for healthcare professionals. It also traced the development of the laws
relating to the civil and criminal liabilities of those involved in healthcare and explored the
different types of claims that may be faced by healthcare professionals.
The session was well attended by about 80 students and lecturers from the foundation in
science, law, medical, pharmacy and biosciences programmes of the university. There was a
healthy and active question and answer session at the end of the lecture suggesting that the
area has indeed generated much interest amongst the young. We would like to extend our
appreciation to Dr Rajeswari Kanniah, the Dean of the Taylors Law School for inviting us to
 the beautiful and scenic campus of Taylors University.

4. The Medico-Legal Society of Singapore is hosting their Annual Medico-Legal Seminar on 8th
and 9th October 2011 at Raffles City Convention Centre, Singapore. Please see the attached
programme and registration form for more details.

5. Please see the status update by the President

6. The MLSM organized a Conference on "CONFLICTS & CONTROVERSIES IN MEDICINE,

ETHICS & THE LAW" on 16th & 17th November 2011 at The Royale Chulan Hotel, Kuala
Lumpur. The Keynote Address was delivered by Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Raja Muda Perak
Darul Ridzuan Raja Nazrin Shah Ibni Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah. The Conference
programme featured exciting and thought-provoking topics. The event was carried in the
media. The NST article is attached.

7. The MLSM, together with the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, the Singapore High
Commission and the Gandhi Memorial Trust of Malaysia, launched a book entitled "The
Dancing Girl: A History of Early India" written by the late Dr Balaji Sadasivan at the Royal
Lake Club on 1st February 2012. The NST article on the book launch is attached.

8. Mr. T. Sagadaven represented the MLSM at a forum at Institut Latihan Kehakiman dan
Perundangan (ILKAP)
on 20th March 2012, and delivered a talk on "Apology = Admission of Liability" to judicial
officers, medical practitioners
and healthcare providers. His talk dealt with, among others, the duty of a doctor to provide an
explanation to his patient in the event of an adverse outcome, and the implications of an
apology tendered by the doctor.

9. On 22nd March 2012, the MLSM organized a talk by Dr Teoh Ming Keng on "Litigation
Trends & Professional Challenges in Medical Practice Today" at the Royal Selangor Club. Dr
Teoh, who is Head of Medical Services (Asia) of the Medical Protection Society, England
gave the audience, consisting of doctors, lawyers and healthcare providers, an overview of
current trends in medical negligence claims in various countries including Malaysia. The talk
was followed by a question and answer session, during which participants also shared their
experiences in dealing with medico-legal issues in their respective fields.

10. Puan Maidzuara Mohammed represented the MLSM and presented a talk on Good Medical
Practice: Common Issues for Medical Practitioners to doctors of the Primary Care Unit at
University Malaya Medical Centre on 27th March 2012. The talk covered various issues
including consent, a doctors duty to explain material risks, proper record keeping, relevant
statutory provisions, and the Malaysian Medical Council Guidelines and their practical
implications. This was followed by an active question and answer session.

11. The MLSM held its Annual Conference on 13th and 14th July 2012. The Conference was
attended by almost 200 delegates, and addressed pressing and controversial medical and
medico-legal issues. The issues included the Medical (Amendment) Act 2012 which has
introduced important changes to medical practice. The Keynote Address was delivered by the
Attorney-General of Malaysia, Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail. The speakers included the former
 Director-General of Health of Malaysia, Tan Sri Dato' Seri Dr Haji Mohd Ismail bin Merican,
and the Director of Medical Services of Singapore, Prof K Satkunanthan. The Conference
was immediately followed on 14th July 2012 by the MLSM's Annual General Meeting.

12. The Medical Protection Society, together with the Academy of Medicine Malaysia of Malaysia
and the MLSM, organised a training course for medical experts at the Shangri-la Hotel, Kuala
Lumpur on Saturday, 14th July 2012. The course was attended by almost 80 participants.

13. The Medico-Legal Society of Singapore and the Medico-Legal Society of Malaysia held their
3rd Annual Joint Seminar on Saturday, 15 September 2012 at Gleneagles Hospital,
Singapore. About 100 people attended the Seminar, including 8 from the Medico-Legal
Society of Malaysia. The speakers (2 from each Society) covered various topical areas of
interest, which were followed by very active question and answer sessions.

14. Press statement on Statutory Rape

Future Events

1. The MLSM will be organizing its annual medico-legal conference on 23 and 24 November
2013. Further details of the conference can be seen in the brochure attached.