Global arbitration body questions appointment of KL director

Global arbitration body questions appointment of KL director

AALCO secretary-general Kennedy Gastron says the body must be consulted before the appointment of a new director.

The Asian International Arbitration Centre in Kuala Lumpur. (Google Maps pic)
KUALA LUMPUR:
An international dispute settlement body has rejected Putrajaya’s appointment of lawyer Vinayak Pradhan as director of the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) here, saying it was not consulted about the designation given on May 8.

Pradhan was appointed by Attorney-General Tommy Thomas as acting director of AIAC on Nov 21 last year following the resignation of Sundra Rajoo, who had led the organisation for nine years.

He was confirmed as director in May.

Vinayak Pradhan.

The Asian-African Legal Consultative Organisation (AALCO), the parent body of AIAC, said in a letter to de facto law minister Liew Vui Keong that under the 2013 Host Country Agreement, it must be consulted before the appointment of a new director.

In the letter dated Nov 20, sighted by FMT, AALCO secretary-general Kennedy Gastron said under the agreement, Pradhan was neither acting director nor director of AIAC.

“AALCO renews its earlier written request to the government of Malaysia to initiate consultation on a candidate or candidates for the position of the director,” he said.

Given the lack of express provision in the agreement on the post of acting director, he added, the next most senior official at AIAC should take charge of all administrative and operational matters until an appointment is made.

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