The Legal 500

‘Top pick’ Christopher Lee & Co has 
‘industry knowledge at its fingertips’. Much of itswork lies in government-funded infrastructure projects in the power, utilities, telecoms and transport sectors. Practice head Jeyamala Ariaratnam and Kuok Yew Chen have been advising various parties on the Mass Rapid 
Transit and Light Rail Transit public transport projects. ‘Top project finance lawyer’ Christopher Lee acted for Sarawak Hidro on a power 
purchase agreement involving the Bakun Dam, and also represents the Energy Commission of Malaysia.

Kadir, Andri & Partners’ active and well-respected practice represents lenders and sponsors. It recently advised on a cross-border financing for the development of Male International Airport. Practice head Adrian Chair Yong Huang led advice on a joint venture to develop the RM200m Raffles University Iskandar project.

Zaid Ibrahim & Co has ‘a wide range of knowledgeable and experienced lawyers, and always functions as a one-stop-shop’. This is a mainly sponsor-side practice, with much of its client base comprising GLCs and foreign entities. It has recently focused on renewables, advising the government on new legislation as well as acting for foreign developers on onshore and offshore projects. Practice head Loh Wei Lian advised Sime Darby on a forensic audit of its energy and utilities division. The team provides ‘high-level, attentive service’, and Toh Beng Suan is particularly recommended.

Well known for its expertise on major infrastructure project financing, Albar & Partners recently has been busy in the 
energy sector. Lily Tan Chea Li and Angeline 
Lee Sze Yeen both worked on multimillion-
dollar financings involving offshore entities, including advising a syndicate of banks on facilities to TL Offshore, a subsidiary of SapuraCrest Petroleum; and acting for banks on a RM102m facility to Lekir Bulk Terminal. The team also represented Petronas in acquiring BP’s chemicals businesses as well as other disposals and acquisitions prior to its Bursa Malaysia listing. Syed Zaid Albar and Chung Swee Loong, an expert in sharia-compliant project finance, are highly regarded.

Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill suffered the departure of its former corporate head and projects expert Iain Sedgley, who 
left to set up his own firm. The remaining corporate team remains active, with Ng 
Leong Huat advising SapuraCrest on 
developing the first marginal oil and gas field, while Tay Weng Hwee leads on project financing and recently acted for a lender on an RM119m Islamic facility for a university campus development.

Naqiz & Partners has substantial projects and infrastructure experience, and a particular focus on government-led schemes and the energy sector. Syed Naqiz Shahabuddin and Khairul Ismail lead on most matters.

Shahrizat Rashid & Lee is well versed in handling privatisation projects, while Lou May Pearl is a highly experienced financing expert. The practice is advising GLC Syarikat Prasarana Negara on contracts concerning the monorail fleet expansion project.

Wong & Partners’ Mark Lim leads on 
cross-border project financing mandates and is an expert on both conventional and Islamic structures. The practice recently advised RHB Bank on a RM138m financing of Langsat Terminal Two. Other clients include CIMB, Maybank and OCBC.

Zul Rafique & Partners has a strong reputation for infrastructure projects, having 
been instructed on several high-profile developments. It also has a particular focus on energy and utilities, where clients include Tenaga Nasional Berhad. Tunku Alizan RM Alias is well regarded.