PROMINENT lawyer Vinayak Pradhan is the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) Malaysia acting director, replacing Prof Dr Sundra Rajoo who resigned today.

Attorney-General Tommy Thomas made the announcement this evening in a statement, where he described Pradhan as “the doyen” of arbitration in Malaysia who is “recognised the world over for his ability, experience and leadership in the field of arbitration.” 

“I am pleased to announce with immediate effect the appointment of Mr Vinayak Pradhan as the acting director of the AIAC following the resignation of Datuk Professor Sundra Rajoo, whom I wish to thank for his nine-year leadership of AIAC Malaysia,” Thomas said.

“Having personally known Pradhan for decades, I can vouch for his unimpeachable integrity which will enhance the standing of AICA in the domestic and international areas. I am confident he will lead AIAC Malaysia to lofty heights.” 

Singapore’s Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon called Vinayak “one of the greatest lawyers from our part of the world”  and “among the very finest” of arbitrators he had had the opportunity to appear before, the AG said in the statement.

The appointment, Thomas said, was endorsed by the Asian African Legal Consultation Organisation, the parent organisation of AIAC.

Sundra tendered his resignation this morning after he was arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission last night on allegations of graft. His lawyer Phillip Koh said Sundra had resigned as he wished to protect the good name of the AIAC.

Vinayak is formerly president of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, United Kingdom. He was named the “Malaysian Arbitrator of the Year” in 2016.

Vinayak was also the United Nations Compensation Commissioner, a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitrators at the Hague, and a member of the Court of Arbitration for Sport, Lausanne.

He is also formerly the International Chamber of Commerce Commission on Arbitration vice-chair, fellow of the International Academy of Construction Lawyers, and member of the AIAC advisory board. 

Vinayak, who is from Kuala Lumpur, obtained his law degree from the University of Singapore. He was called to the Malaysian Bar in 1974, according to the Malaysian Bar website. 

He was made a partner in Skrine in July 1981 and called to the Singapore Bar in 1991. He retired from the firm in 2013 and became a consultant to the firm the following year, according to Skrine’s website. – November 21, 2018.