Chambers Asia Pacific (2018)

Banking & Finance - Band 3
Corporate/M&A - Band 3
Intellectual Property - Other Noted Firms
Projects, Infrastructure & Energy - Band 1
Shipping - Band 2

Ranked Lawyers:
Christopher Lee - (Band 3) Corporate/M&A, (Spotlight Table) Projects, Infrastructure & Energy 
Ng Kim Poh (Recognised Practitioner) - Intellectual Property
Ong Chee Kwan (Band 2) - Shipping
Yon See Ting (Band 3) - Competition & Antitrust

Banking & Finance

What the team is known for 
Established and experienced team handling a comprehensive range of finance matters. Particularly well placed to advise on energy-related project finance, the team also handles syndicated loans, acquisition and asset finance, restructuring and Islamic finance.

Strengths 
Clients commend the team's adaptability, reporting that its lawyers are "flexible and attentive."

Notable practitioners 
Christopher Lee and Fiona Sequerah co-head the department and are key contacts.

Corporate/M&A

What the team is known for 
Robust corporate team, advising on a broad range of transactional and regulatory issues. Acts for domestic and international clients on M&A, including cross-border deals, with particular activity in the real estate and private equity sectors. Also handles equity capital market offerings.

Strengths 
Clients pinpoint the firm's swift service as a strength, with clients commenting: "Our experience with them has been extremely pleasant. They have been professional, accessible and very responsive."

The team is also admired for its business acumen. Sources report: "They are commercial, client-focused and have a good attention to detail."

Value for Money 
Clients are satisfied with the firm's billing process, noting that its fees are "very competitive."

Work highlights 
Acted for SILK Holdings on the MYR380 million sale of its interest in Sistem Lingkaran-Lebuhraya Kajang to Permodalan Nasional.

Assisted TH Plantations with the disposal of shares in THP Gemas to Dupont & Leosk Enterprises, worth a total of MYR152 million.

Notable practitioners 
Christopher Lee is highly regarded among clients, who report that he "understands complex transactions and is highly versatile." He is well placed to handle M&A, joint ventures, reverse takeovers and infrastructure projects. He advised Mega First Corporation on its MYR250 million rights issue, which was used to finance the Don Sahong hydropower project in Laos.

Projects, Infrastructure & Energy

What the team is known for 
Leading projects team, known in the market for its extensive regional expertise in power and infrastructure. Able to advise on both project finance and development, it particularly acts on renewable energy projects, including waste and solar energy, as well as infrastructure projects. Well placed to assist clients with construction and O&M agreements.

Strengths 
Clients appreciate the department's extensive sector knowledge, noting that "the firm is strong in the energy sector, mainly in power and gas, holding strong connections with regulatory entities and authorities." This interviewee also reports that the team "works very hard and always think about the client."

Further clients agree, describing the lawyers as "flexible and attentive."

Work highlights 
Advised Pengerang Power on all documentation, including the EPCC contract, for the development of an electricity and steam generation plant in Johor.

Acted for Janakuasa on the ongoing development of a coal-fired thermal power complex in Vietnam, advising on the power purchase and EPC contracts.

Notable practitioners 
Christopher Lee is renowned in the market and respected by commentators for his "long-standing reputation" in Malaysia's projects, infrastructure and energy markets. He is highly experienced in advising on infrastructure projects, ably assisting clients with power purchase and concession agreements, as well as EPC and O&M contracts.

Shipping

What the team is known for 
Frequently represents clients in litigation and arbitration proceedings, as well as handling ship arrests. Handles both wet and dry disputes, including collisions, salvage and marine pollution cases, alongside charter party and cargo matters. Also handles maritime insurance and ship finance, regularly acting for shipowners.

Strengths 
Clients praise the team's business-savvy approach, noting that the team "has always been good and very commercial." Further clients concur, reporting that "the firm has given a lot of valuable advice to us."

Work highlights 
Acted for Jatim Perkasa Lines on the setting aside of the arrest of its vessel by Rei Management.

Represented Helios Petroleum in relation to the attempted winding up of IES Energy Marine, linked to a bunker payment dispute.

Notable practitioners 
Ong Chee Kwan earns plaudits among market commentators as an "excellent and very sound lawyer," with further sources noting that he "picks things up very quickly and has the right temperament." His maritime practice extends across charter party, cargo and bill of lading disputes, while he also acts as an arbitrator. He assisted NYK Line with a dispute involving a cargo consignee, relating to container demurrage payments.