Titled “Principles of Criminal Law”, the book, the fifth by Hisyam, was launched by Federal Court judge Harmindar Singh Dhaliwal at a law conference held in Shah Alam over the weekend.

“The book is uniquely special as it is meant to be a criminal litigator’s companion in court,” Hisyam, a practitioner with 47 years’ experience, told FMT.

He said it covers a wide range of criminal law topics, reflecting the current state of the law and providing instant answers to issues of importance.

“The book is designed to support further research with its detailed analysis and citations of relevant case law, statutes and legal precedents,” the author said.

In the book, Hisyam paid tribute to distinguished judges from both the past and present.

He called these judges the book’s “real authors” for having penned the vast body of criminal law cases which had given rise to the various legal principles that formed the body of Malaysian criminal law.

Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, Court of Appeal president Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim, Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Abdul Rahman Sebli and senior Federal Court judge Nallini Pathmanathan all provided congratulatory remarks to the author in the book.

Over his years in practice, Hisyam, 71, has represented a long list of clients, ranging from laymen to persons in power and of influence.

He had previously authored two books on the laws governing drug abuse, another on criminal law advocacy and one on anti-money laundering laws.

Harmindar called Hisyam one of the most respected lawyers in the country, especially in criminal law practice.

“His knowledge and experience will immensely help practitioners, especially the young ones, in criminal law litigation,” he said.

Likening him to the late Karpal Singh, Harmindar said Hisyam “doesn’t waste time and just sticks to the crucial points to persuade the bench”.

“Being precise is part of advocacy,” Harmindar said, adding that more senior lawyers should emulate Hisyam in writing books for use in the legal profession.