The Legal 500

Kadir, Andri & Partners has advised on many of Malaysia’s big–ticket transactions, and benefits from strong government and corporate links. The practice acted for Kazanah Nasional on its highly publicised $1.5bn acquisition bid for the Parkway Novena Hospital in Singapore. It also has significant experience in the wave of acquisitions that followed Malaysia’s privatisation programme, including advising Tanjong Capital on its privatisation via a takeover of Tanjong plc. Highly regarded practice head E Sreesanthan has advised on the demutualisation of the Malaysian Stock Exchange as well as on the merger of Sime Darby, Guthrie and Golden Hope.

Shearn Delamore & Co routinely works alongside Magic Circle and US firms as local counsel to multinationals. Department head Grace Yeoh advised Taisho Pharmaceutical on its RM370m acquisition of Hoepharma Holdings. Ng Swee Kee led a cross–departmental team advising longstanding client Texas Instruments on its $6.5bn acquisition of National Semiconductor. Its team of 17 fee–earners includes six partners.

Wong & Partners’ membership of the Baker & McKenzie network provides the five–partner practice with access to an enviable list of blue–chip clients such as Goldman Sachs, Panasonic and Siemens. It maintains a strong presence in insurance–sector M&A, while other recent highlights include advising Ekuiti Nasional on its proposed RM220m acquisition of Tanjung Kapal Services. Practice head Brian Chia is ‘very well grounded’ and ‘gives very practical advice’. Andre Gan and Munir Aziz are the other key contacts.

Rahmat Lim and Partners has recently acted on a number of significant transactions. It advised Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank on a $1.9bn share disposal in RHB Capital to Aabar Investments, and Temasek on its joint venture with Khazanah for real estate developments in the Iskandar region. The practice also advised Mitsui & Co on a $1bn stake acquisition in Integrated Healthcare Holdings, which was one of the largest–ever investments by a Japanese company in the Malaysian healthcare sector. Lim Teong Sit leads the team, which benefits from the firm’s association with Allen & Gledhill LLP.

Shook Lin & Bok’s five–partner team is active in high–profile domestic M&A transactions. Ivan Ho Yue Chan advised both EON Capital and Hong Leong on a first–of–its–kind merger of their Islamic banking units. Patricia David Saini recently advised AMMB Holdings on a RM623m stake acquisition in MBF Cards, and also acted for an oil and gas company on acquiring a 30% share in a company.

Theresa Chong heads Skrine’s corporate and M&A practice, which advised Sime Darby on oil and gas asset disposals to Petronas, and acted for TPV Technology on its joint venture with Philips to develop and manufacture television sets. Phua Pao Yii assisted Tupperware on restructuring its Malaysian operations.

Zaid Ibrahim & Co has impressive credentials on deals for government–linked companies and multinationals. It advised South Korean giant Honam Petrochemical on its $1.25bn takeover of Titan Chemicals. Gilbert Gan acted for CIMB Bank on its 19% stake acquisition in Malaysia–listed Bank CIMB Niaga. Ang Siak Keng leads the corporate practice at the firm’s Penang office.

Abdullah Chan’s Vincent Chan provides ‘London/New York–quality, top–tier advice’, and is ‘100% client focused’. He leads a team of five fee–earners, which counts prominent Malaysian conglomerates such as Genting and Sapura among its clients. It also recently gained a new instruction from a major Middle Eastern bank. Highlights included advising C P Group on investments in Australia.

Azmi & Associates has been active in some impressive deals, recently performing due diligence on a government business start–up fund and advising a US–based Fortune 500 company on acquiring further shares in a Malaysian business, following the ease in regulations on foreign ownership of domestic companies. Senior partner Azmi Mohd Ali is also a director of Sime Darby, and is recommended along with senior associate Anthony Tan Chien Liang.

Cheang & Ariff’s team, led by Tan Ming–Li, has acted on some notable domestic deals of late. It advised Star Publications on its stake acquisition in LI–TV Holdings, a strategic deal which marked the media giant’s entry into the broadcasting sector. The practice is also active in cross–border transactions, with a team that included Yoon Ming Sun recently advising Singapore–based RadLink Asia on its takeover by Indian hospital chain Fortis Healthcare.

Chooi & Company’s corporate team is ‘professional, knowledgeable and full of integrity’. Practice head Tan Yann Lee handled an impressive range of deals for both domestic and international clients, acting alongside competition practice head Lim Tuck Sun on the merger between Synergy Insurance and Jerneh Insurance. Lee also advised on the local law aspects of M&A deals for Arkema and Sara Lee.

Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill recently acted for investment companies on M&A transactions, including advising ANIH Berhad on acquiring toll road concessions from Metramac Corporation and MTD Prime. Ng Leong Huat leads the team, which includes three other partners.

Mah–Kamariyah & Philip Koh is ‘one of the best firms in town’, with a ‘knowledgeable’ and ‘client–centric’ team. Noteworthy deals included acting for Globaltech Formation on the group merger of Jotech Holdings, AIC Corporation and AutoV Corporation. The team includes senior partner Philip Koh and the highly praised Adrian Koh. Peter Ling is noted for his ‘exceptional quality of advice’.

Murad Yee Partnership’s three–partner team displays ‘in–depth legal knowledge and practical business acumen’. It acted for Hibiscus Petroleum on a cross–border acquisition of RM160m in equity assets. Yee Fook Weng is praised for his ‘experience, appropriateness of advice, and reliability’.

Raja, Darryl & Loh’s M&A clients include multinationals as well as numerous domestic companies. Senior partner Chew Phye Keat has been active in competition law matters, and was involved in the consultation process for drafting the Competition Act.

Tay & Partners garners praise for its ‘industry knowledge, response times and personal attention’. The firm advised Tham Assets on the RM250m sale of Megapower Group to Legrand. Other highlights included advising AmPrivate Equity on a leveraged buyout of RM110m in a Malaysian manufacturing company. Tay Beng Chai and Chang Hong Yun are recommended. David Lee is ‘clear, responsive and thorough’.

Zain & Co’s principal corporate partner Salwah Abdul Shukor is advising Petron Corporation on a proposed takeover of ExxonMobil’s Malaysia and Borneo operations.

Zul Rafique & Partners maintains an enviable reputation in the sector, having acted on some of Malaysia’s largest telecoms sector deals in recent years.

Although better known for its capital markets and banking work, Adnan Sundra & Low has also acted on some notable M&A deals. It recently advised EON Capital on its takeover by Hong Leong Bank.

Albar & Partners is notable for its strength in capital markets and IPO–related corporate matters. Lily Tan led a team advising MSM Malaysia Holdings on its pre–listing group formation of subsidiary companies Malayan Sugar Manufacturing and Kilang Gula.

Cheong Kee Fong & Co’s name partner Cheong Kee Fong remains highly regarded for his corporate work. Recent transactions include advising an international client on its proposed acquisition of a Malaysian insurance company.

Deol & Gill has strong experience acting for government–linked companies, particularly on private equity investments. The firm also acted for a Japanese IT company on its RM5m takeover of a Malaysian business.

Jeff Leong, Poon & Wong acts for clients throughout South East Asia, with a particular emphasis on Chinese companies targeting the Malaysian market.

Naqiz & Partners sizeable team provides ‘good response times and reliable advice’. The firm is particularly active in infrastructure, transport and automotive deals, recently acting on a joint venture between a Malaysian company and a major German automobile manufacturer. Syed Naqiz Shahabuddin and Haflil Muhammad Feisol are recommended.

With a focus on corporate matters, Raslan Loong handles due diligence on deals for both domestic and international clients such as Nalco, Insas Berhad and Regroup Associates. Senior partner Loong Caesar leads the team.

Shahrizat Rashid & Lee’s team, led by Yohan Ananda Rajan, has strong experience advising on deals in the energy, real estate and construction sectors.