Event information
Legal 500 is delighted to announce the 2025 edition of GC Summit Malaysia. Taking place on 15th July 2025 at the Mandarin Oriental in Kuala Lumpur, we are looking forward to building on the tremendous success of our previous events by delivering a set of sessions which get to the heart of what modern GCs in a dynamic and growing economy can do to get ahead.
Join leading practitioners and esteemed in-house counsel for a day of thought-provoking panel discussions and presentations exploring key trends, developments, and challenges facing modern general counsel in Malaysia. The event will offer practical insights into the evolving role of in-house lawyers and the increasingly strategic position they hold in steering their organisations.
As always, a key focus of the GC Summit is connection and collaboration. Attendees will have ample opportunities to network with fellow senior legal professionals, share experiences, and discover new, innovative approaches to enhance their work.
In collaboration with our event partners, the Summit will feature a series of dynamic sessions on some of the most pressing and forward-looking topics, including:
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- Data Protection and Privacy in 2025: Compliance, enforcement trends, and what GCs need to know
- Opportunity in Complexity and Volatility: Getting deals done in uncertain times
- Building an Effective Governance Programme
- Legal Operations: Doing more with less
- Legal Leadership in Crisis: Navigating cyber attacks, litigation, and PR challenges
- Engaging with Policymakers and Regulators
- Managing Complex Cross-Border Disputes
- Responding to an Evolving Employment Landscape
- Drawing on the diverse expertise of our accomplished speakers, the event will provide practical, hands-on guidance for today’s in-house legal leaders.
This is a must-attend event for all in-house counsel in Malaysia looking to sharpen their skills, expand their network, and exchange best practices with their peers.
Agenda
12.00pm – 1.00pm Registration and welcome lunch
1.00pm – 1.15pm Opening Remarks
- Joe Boswell, editor GC powerlist series, Legal 500
1.15pm – 2.05pm A New Era of Data Privacy Compliance: Mandatory DPOs, Breach Reporting & Cross-Border Transfer Challenges Under Malaysia’s PDPA
Malaysia’s data privacy legal landscape is undergoing a sea change. With sweeping reforms aligning local standards to global expectations, organisations must now prepare for new mandatory requirements, including the appointment of Data Protection Officers, data breach notification obligations, and Transfer Impact Assessments for cross-border data transfers. This session will unpack what these changes mean, what’s coming next, and how businesses should strategically respond.
- Lo Khai Yi, partner, HHQ Advocates and Solicitors
- Ong Johnson, partner, HHQ Advocates and Solicitors
- Yin Ee Ong, head, group legal, compliance and risk management, Warisan TC Holdings
- Navrita Kaur, group chief legal officer, Microlink
- Doreen Tan, head of legal, Ninjavan
2.05pm – 2.55pm Conducting an Internal Investigation: best practice tips, self-reporting to the authorities and disclosure and creating a fit-for-purpose whistleblowing culture
Our panel discussion will take an insightful look at what internal investigations are and best practice tips for conducting an investigation. The session will also consider the pros and cons of self-reporting conduct issues to the authorities and crisis management to mitigate harm to company reputation. The panel will share its expertise when it comes to creating an effective whistleblowing culture and share case studies from their own experiences of navigating corporate investigations.
- Nick Edmondes, resident managing partner, Trowers & Hamlins
- Geoff Allen, partner, Trowers & Hamlins
- Edmund Kronenburg, managing partner, Braddell Brothers Singapore
- Jacelyn Khoo, general counsel and chief compliance officer, Hong Leong Financial Group
- Dalvin Kaur, head legal, group global banking, Maybank Investment Bank
2.55pm – 3.15pm Coffee Break
3.15pm – 4.05pm Panel 3
4.05pm – 4.55pm Panel 4
4.55pm – 5.10pm Coffee Break
5.10pm – 6.00pm Legal Crisis 101: How legal teams can lead through troubled times
This panel brings together experienced in-house counsel who have steered their organisations through turbulent periods. Through real-world examples, panellists share how legal departments can swiftly assume control when crises hit, stepping in where business continuity falters. Attendees will gain insights on managing board communications under pressure, making time-sensitive legal decisions, and reinforcing the legal team’s strategic value. The discussion explores how counsel can transition from risk mitigators to crisis leaders, offering practical takeaways for building resilience and preparedness across industries.
- Joe Boswell, editor GC powerlist series, Legal 500
- Noor Yasmin Mohamed, manager, legal department, Prolintas Group
6.00pm – 6.05pm Closing Remarks
- Joe Boswell, editor GC powerlist series, Legal 500
6.05pm – 7.00pm Drinks and canapes
Speakers
Lo Khai Yi, partner, HHQ Advocates and Solicitors
Lo Khai Yi’s passion for technology has helped him built an expertise in the dynamic and complex fields of Technology, Media and Telecommunications (“TMT”). In the current landscape where technology digitisation and data digitalisation are the trend, Khai Yi’s skillsets and understanding of the evolving tech industries are able to be put to good use to benefit his clienteles.
Having dedicated himself in the fields of TMT, Khai Yi’s comprehensive knowledge and experience encompass a wide spectrum of issues concerning the subject matter. In the vast realm of TMT, Khai Yi is often sought after on matters relating to technology outsourcing and acquisition, telecommunication licensing and acquisition, cyber security, data privacy, data centre development, telecommunications and digital infrastructure, blockchain and digital assets, software commercialisation and acquisition, digital media, licensing, technology centric mergers and acquisitions, regulatory and compliance, IP prosecution and enforcement, e-money, electronic transaction, payment tokenisation, electronic vehicles, franchising and technology outsourcing.
Khai Yi serves a wide range of clientele, trusted by not only unicorn-to-be startups, but also financial institutions, public listed corporations, multi-national technology companies, mobile network operators, as well as GLCs.
Ong Johnson, partner, HHQ Advocates and Solicitors
Ong Johnson is the Head of the Technology Practice Group, specialising in TMT (Technology, Media, and Telecommunications) law. He has deep and diverse experience in helping boards and executive teams navigate rapidly evolving technology regulatory and compliance issues involving AI, digital assets, Real-World Asset (RWA) tokenization, fintech, cybersecurity, data protection, and competition law.
His ability to navigate complex regulatory landscapes is supported by a close working relationship with key regulators, including Bank Negara Malaysia, the Securities Commission Malaysia, and the Personal Data Protection Commissioner. This regulatory engagement enables him to guide clients across fintech, data protection, cybersecurity, AI regulation, and other emerging technology sectors with a level of insight and precision that few can match.
Ong Johnson is widely recognized as a thought leader in the TMT and Fintech sectors, frequently invited to speak at national forums, conferences, and roundtable discussions on a diverse range of technology law topics, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, personal data protection framework, DeFi, licensing for Internet Messaging and Social Media Services, data centers, and more.
Yin Ee Ong, head, group legal, compliance and risk management, Warisan TC Holdings
Yin Ee takes on a huge set of responsibilities for Warisan TC Holdings, a conglomerate with main activities in automotive, machinery, travel, car rental and consumer products. As well as being general manager and head of group legal, compliance and risk management, she also functions as the group integrity officer, data protection officer and sustainability liaison officer.. Alongside legal and regulatory advice, she is a trusted advisor on the Group’s activities both in Malaysia and abroad, particularly in the areas of risk management, sustainability, and anti- bribery and corruption.
Yin Ee has over 20 years of working experience in private practice, financial and automotive industries. Prior to working with Warisan, she was with Tan Chong Motor Holdings, OCBC Bank (Malaysia), Hong Leong Financial Group and Bank. She has international experience, having worked at Hong Leong Bank Vietnam for eight years and supported Hong Leong Bank’s investment in China.
Navrita Kaur, group chief legal officer, Microlink
Since 2022, Navrita has been serving as Group Chief Legal Officer (GCLO) of Microlink Solutions Berhad, a technology company listed on the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange, where she provides expert and strategic legal advice to senior management across a broad spectrum of matters. She plays a key role in the Group’s corporate exercises, leads the negotiation of commercial IT contracts and drafts critical policies to address evolving legal and regulatory requirements. Additionally, she is also part of the sustainability management team at Microlink and was recently appointed as the Group’s Data Protection Officer .
Prior to joining Microlink, she held the roles of Group General Counsel and subsequently GCLO of the Omesti Group. With over a decade of experience in this field, Navrita has been recognised for her leadership and expertise, earning a place in the Legal 500 GC Powerlist Southeast Asia in both 2022 and 2024.
Doreen Tan, head of legal, Ninjavan
Doreen currently serves as the Head, Legal at Ninja Van Malaysia. She brings over 12 years of combined experience in the big law and in-house roles, where her cross-industries expertise uniquely spans a wide range of areas including complex corporate commercial transactions, capital markets, M&A, regulatory enforcement, compliance, corporate governance, risk management, dispute resolution management, data privacy, and real estate. Recognizing the importance of going beyond traditional legal, compliance, and regulatory functions, Doreen is committed to learning about leveraging technology to optimize legal operations, streamline processes, and support sustainable business growth—all while building strong, collaborative relationships with stakeholders.
Nick Edmondes, resident managing partner, Trowers & Hamlins
Nick Edmondes has been resident managing partner of Trowers’ Kuala Lumpur office since 2015 when the firm became the first foreign law firm to be granted a qualified foreign law firm licence in Malaysia.
Nick’s 36-years of experience includes major infrastructure project development and finance, privatisation, corporate structuring, restructuring and cross-border investment, particularly in real estate.
Nick has worked in London and Trowers’ overseas offices, including as the resident managing partner of the firm’s Oman office between 1994 and 2000. In the 1990’s, Nick established the firm’s Islamic Finance Group, which has grown to be recognised as a First Tier practice in the Legal 500 directory of law firms. He remains a key client partner for a number of international Islamic financial institutions, as well as Malaysian institutions and companies.
From 2000 onwards, Nick focussed on international clients in the Middle East and Asia and helped establish the firm’s presence in Malaysia, where he is now a lead and integral member of the team dealing with the firm’s work for Malaysian and ASEAN clients.
Geoff Allen, partner, Trowers & Hamlins
Geoff Allen is a Partner in the International Corporate Department and Head of the Corporate and Commercial team of Trowers & Hamlins LLP’s office in Kuala Lumpur.
During the first part of his career, Geoff worked for a top 10 law firm in the UK and Saudi Arabia where he advised on a broad spectrum of international M&A transactions before moving in-house with Arabtec Holding PJSC, a leading UAE contractor company, where he became Group General Counsel and Board Secretary.
Whilst in-house, Geoff developed strong business acumen and commercial skills together with a hands-on perspective on the construction industry overseeing major social and economic infrastructure projects in the Middle East, North Africa, Asia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Geoff left the UAE in early 2020 to return to the UK and was engaged as a Senior Legal Consultant for Centrica plc, a leading global energy supply and services business, until relocating to join Trowers & Hamlins in Malaysia.
Geoff’s corporate M&A expertise focusses on acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures, foreign direct investment (including structuring and set-ups), corporate structuring and restructuring, commercial contracts, board and ESG related matters, sustainability reporting and general corporate advisory.
Edmund Kronenburg, managing partner, Braddell Brothers Singapore
Edmund began his legal career at Drew & Napier in 1997 and took on the mantle of Managing Partner of Braddell Brothers in 2009.
With over 25 years’ experience in dispute resolution, litigation, and arbitration, Edmund regularly appears as lead counsel in cases before the Singapore High Court and Court of Appeal, as well as in international arbitrations. His diverse practice includes commercial and corporate disputes, energy and natural resources, media and telecommunications, breach of confidence, defamation, employment, medical and healthcare disputes as well as pre-emptive relief and injunctions including Worldwide Freezing / Mareva Injunctions.
Besides his commercial disputes practice, Edmund also represents the Singapore Medical Council in medical disciplinary hearings, and private clients in medical negligence lawsuits before the Singapore courts. Some of his medical cases have become landmark decisions of the Singapore Court of Appeal and the Court of Three Judges. Edmund is an honorary legal adviser to the Academy of Medicine, Singapore, the Vice-President (Legal) of the Medico-Legal Society of Singapore, and a member of the Singapore Medical Association’s Centre for Medical Ethics and Professionalism (CMEP) teaching faculty.
Edmund also actively sits as an arbitrator, and has conducted arbitrations seated in Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Brunei, as sole arbitrator, tribunal chairman / presiding arbitrator and tribunal member. He is a fellow of CIArb, SIArb, MIArb, AMINZ, HKIArb, PIArb and ACICA. He is also admitted to the panels / lists of, among others, the AIAC (Malaysia, formerly KLCRA), AIFC (Kazakhstan), BANI (Indonesia), BDAC (Brunei), BVIIAC (British Virgin Islands), CAA (Taiwan), HKIAC (Hong Kong), KCAB (Korea), IIAM (India), MIAC (Maldives), NCAC (Cambodia), PIAC (Vietnam), PDRC (Philippines), IMA (Russia), SCCA (Saudi Arabia), SHIAC (Shanghai), TIAC (Uzbekistan), TAI (Thailand), VIAC (Vietnam) and VLCAC (Vietnam).
Jacelyn Khoo, general counsel and chief compliance officer, Hong Leong Financial Group
Jacelyn Khoo manages the legal and compliance functions in Hong Leong Financial Group, and oversees the subsidiaries’ legal and compliance functions in the banking, investment banking and insurance sectors. She is part of the key senior management team responsible for driving transformation, strategic and operational alignment, group compliance risk management and board reporting. Jacelyn’s experience spans across private practice and in-house roles in Malaysia, China and Hong Kong, covering legal, governance, privacy and compliance portfolios. Prior to her time with Hong Leong, she held notable positions with Banco Santander, Tune Hotels Group and Digi Telecommunications, the latter two of which she was the Legal Director and General Counsel. Jacelyn was also named on Legal 500’s GC Powerlist for Malaysia in 2023.
Dalvin Kaur, head legal, group global banking, Maybank Investment Bank
Dalvin’s career spans from London to Malaysia, with over 25 years of experience in the legal, banking, and finance sectors. She oversees legal risk management across Maybank’s regional footprint, covering investment banking and global banking across 10 countries. She has been instrumental in transforming the in-house legal team to business counsels, focused on strategic and solution –driven advice. She also spearheads the ESG legal initiatives within the bank on a regional scale. She is frequently sought to provide thought leadership and industry engagements on ESG legal issues across the region and conducting ESG continuous development and training on global regulatory changes for internal stakeholders. Dalvin and her team has won many accolades, and is recognised in Malaysia Legal 500 GC Powerlist 2023.
Joe Boswell, editor GC powerlist series, Legal 500
Joe Boswell has been a part of Legal 500’s editorial team, specialising in the in-house legal community, for almost a decade. He now heads The Powerlist team, acting as chief editor for the over 40 separate editions of the GC Powerlist series which serve as Legal 500’s flagship title celebrating the world’s top in-house counsel. He is also head of the international events content team.
During the course of researching for the GC Powerlist series, Boswell has interviewed a vast number of world-renowned general counsel, chief legal officers, and legal directors about overcoming the challenges they face, their legal innovations, and how they see the general counsel role progressing in coming years. As well as this, he is a regular speaker at Legal 500 summits, roundtables, award ceremonies and other events, and often writes in-depth reports on business and legal issues.
Boswell is an alumnus of both the University of Sussex in The United Kingdom and the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen in The Netherlands.
In association with...
Established in 2000, Halim Hong & Quek (HHQ) has been at the forefront of legal excellence, combining deep local expertise with a global outreach. For over two decades, we have been a trusted partner to leading corporations, financial institutions, government bodies, and private clients across Malaysia, Asia Pacific, and the broader global horizon.
Established in 2000, Halim Hong & Quek (HHQ) has been at the forefront of legal excellence, combining deep local expertise with a global outreach. For over two decades, we have been a trusted partner to leading corporations, financial institutions, government bodies, and private clients across Malaysia, Asia Pacific, and the broader global horizon.