Raja, Darryl & Loh > Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia > Firm Profile

Raja, Darryl & Loh
Level 26, Menara Hong Leong
6, Jalan Damanlela, Bukit Damansara
KUALA LUMPUR
50490
Malaysia

Malaysia > Dispute resolution Tier 1

On the dispute resolution front, the team at Raja, Darryl & Loh portray strong experience in civil and commercial litigation cases at all levels of court. The department, which is led by NG Sai Yeang who advises on civil and corporate disputes, is regularly involved in banking, contract, and industrial relations matters. Acting for a broad array of clients from industries including automotive, construction, manufacturing, and technology, the practice is also recognised for its specialism in tax and intellectual property concerns. Raja Eileen Soraya is noted for her work on medico-legal and dento-legal cases, while Mark La Brooy and Ooi Huey Miin are notable members of the group.

Practice head(s):

Ng Sai Yeang

Other key lawyers:

Key clients

The Edge Media Group

Medical Protection Society

Malayan Banking Bhd

United Overseas Bank (M) Berhad

Majlis Bandaraya Subang Jaya

Heineken Malaysia Bhd

Coutts & Co

Work highlights

  • Represented United Overseas Bank (Malaysia) and succeeded in obtaining confirmation from the Federal Court that the bank’s consolidation of accounts was simply an accounting exercise and, in the context of bankruptcy proceedings, does not create a security over the debt owed by the judgment debtor in his capacity as a guarantor to other credit facilities.
  • Acted for Health Digital Technologies and obtained a High Court order to quash a decision by the Pharmacy Enforcement Division of the Ministry of Health against the client.
  • Successfully represented a doctor and TV personality in the Court of Appeal, where the Court of Appeal overturned a High Court order arising from contempt proceedings and upheld the ordinary rights of the public to criticise the judiciary in good faith.

Malaysia > Antitrust and competition Tier 2

Raja, Darryl & Loh’s competition department is spearheaded by industry veteran Chew Phye Keat. Often acting for clients in the insurance, automotive, and telecoms industries, the firm frequently advises on issues concerning joint purchase arrangements, pre-merger notifications, and prospective collaborations with competitors. Senior associate Cheong Chun Yong serves as a valuable asset to the team and has displayed a particular strength in conducting due diligence and competition audits to ensure necessary compliance with the Malaysian law.

Practice head(s):

Chew Phye Keat

Other key lawyers:

Work highlights

  • Advised a telecoms company in respect of its equity participation in Digital Nasional Berhad.
  • Advised a manufacturing company on its collaboration with a competitor on a centralised purchasing system for the purchase of raw materials.
  • Defending clients in the High Court on an alleged abuse of dominant position under competition law.

Malaysia > Banking and finance Tier 2

Raja, Darryl & Loh has established itself as a credible practice in the banking and finance realm, with a demonstrated ability in handling a range of advisory and enforcement work for Malaysia’s financial institutions. Clients have come to the firm for assistance in respect of private debt securities and conventional credit facilities. Under the leadership of Chew Phye Keat, the firm has recently been elected to advise two of the five applicants who were granted digital bank licenses by Bank Negara Malaysia. Syed Adam Alhabshi is strategically placed to expand the firm’s Islamic finance capabilities, and frequently advises on various components within this area. While Chong Kok Seng specialises in aviation finance, cross-border financing transactions, and debt restructuring, Chong Mei Mei is well-versed in foreign investments and the financing of fintech enterprises.

Practice head(s):

Chew Phye Keat

Testimonials

‘Top-tier practice in the region.’

Chong Kok Seng is a star.’

Key clients

Malayan Banking Berhad

Work highlights

  • Acted as the Malaysian counsel to HSBC Bank Canada in respect of the amendment of the Third Amended & Restated Credit Agreement, in relation to prior banking facilities of USD50m that had been granted to a Canadian public corporation by HSBC Bank Canada.
  • Advised Carlyle Aviation Management in regard to the securitisation of a portfolio of aircraft.
  • Advised an Islamic financial institution in conducting a Shariah rectification exercise after the discovery of a Shariah non-compliant event in respect of its Cash Line facility.

Malaysia > Intellectual property Tier 2

The offering at Raja, Darryl & Loh is headed by the ‘knowledgeable and commercially inclinedYvonne Ong, who regularly handles various IP policies, enforcement issues, and brand strategising. The firm acts for local and international clients from industries including pharmaceutical, technology, and construction, on a range of IP issues including the registration and protection of trademarks and domain names, franchising and licensing, and the filing of applications for patents.

Practice head(s):

Yvonne Ong

Other key lawyers:

Chew Phye Keat; Leong Ooi Ling

Testimonials

‘Yvonne Ong is highly responsive and practically innovative in advising and representing clients in trademark related matters.’ 

‘The team is very responsive and provides practical and effective advice.’

‘Yvonne Ong is knowledgeable and commercially inclined, and offers creative solutions.’

Key clients

Mattel, Inc.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Vitally Sdn Bhd

Giorgio Armani

Microsoft Corporation

Bridgestone Corporation

Ajinomoto Corporation

Revlon

JT International Inc

Axiata Group Berhad

Work highlights

  • Represented an international brand owner in procuring the cessation of the sale of counterfeit bags in Malaysia.
  • Representing a public listed pharmaceutical company in procuring the cessation of the sale and the change of name of a competing multivitamin product that was being sold under a name and get-up very similar to that of the client.
  • Representing an electronics company from the People’s Republic of China and procured the owner of a conflicting trademark identical to the client’s registered trademark to agree to cancel the conflicting trademark.

Malaysia > Labour and employment Tier 2

The team at Raja, Darryl & Loh acts for employers in mandates concerning alleged unfair dismissals and agreed contract dissolution, in addition to cases before the Industrial Court. Ravindra Kumar Rengasamy leads the practice and focuses on matters involving redundancies and retrenchments, as well as advising on contractual aspects of employment mandates, from contract formation to separation agreements. Praised as ‘responsive and accommodating to clients’ needs’, Tham Li Vyen is another key contact in the group.

Practice head(s):

Ravindra Kumar Rengasamy

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘The team has a hands-on approach and is very attentive to its clients’ needs.’

‘Tham Li Vyen is responsive and accommodating to clients’ needs.’

Key clients

Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd

Work highlights

  • Defended AYER Holdings Berhad successful in the Industrial Court which held that the dismissal of the claimant was with just cause and excuse and that since full and free opportunity had been given to the claimant to present himself at the Domestic Inquiry and defend himself.
  • Defended Ideal Quality Sdn Bhd successfully in the Industrial Court which held that for an employee occupying a senior or managerial role, the need for warning and opportunity to improve is much less apparent before a decision to terminate is made.
  • Defended Glenmark Pharmaceuticals (M) Berhad successfully in the Industrial Court which reaffirmed the position that a mutual separation agreement mutually and freely arrived at between the parties to dissolve the relationship of an employee and his employer must be given effect to and that in law it is not a dismissal.

Malaysia > Real estate and construction Tier 2

Raja, Darryl & Loh’s real estate and construction practice is co-led by Chong Mei Mei, who boasts an impressive portfolio of real estate transactions, and Ooi Huey Miin, who primarily covers project and construction disputes. The firm acts for various property developers, commercial contractors, and real estate investment trusts, and frequently advises on joint venture agreements, residential and commercial developments, and construction cases. Hor Shirley is noted for her expertise in construction and infrastructure litigation, and also offers advice on the management of industrial incidents and environmental issues.

Practice head(s):

Chong Mei Mei; Ooi Huey Miin

Other key lawyers:

Chong Kok Seng; Wong Quan Sean; Hor Shirley; Giselle Yeow Win Yean

Testimonials

‘The firm understands the business and operational aspects of our company.’

‘Ooi Huey Miin gives valuable and key insights.’

‘RDL has comprehensive legal services.’

‘Hor Shirley understands the business and operations well.’

Key clients

Marriott International Group

Petron Malaysia Refining & Marketing Bhd

Petron Fuel International Sdn Bhd

Prasarana Malaysia Berhad

Perbadanan PR1MA Malaysia

Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd

Muhibbah Engineering Berhad

Petron Malaysia Refining & Marketing Sdn Bhd

FGV Berhad

UEM Sunrise Berhad

China Construction Engineering (SEA) Malaysia Sdn Bhd,

Sime Darby Group

Work highlights

  • Advised CapitaLand (Singapore) in connection with the sale of properties in Queensbay Mall, Penang, for the sum of RM990,500,000.
  • Successfully acted for the main contractor in an arbitration against the developer of a high-end luxury mixed development project, obtaining an award of approximately USD70m and procuring the dismissal of the developer’s counterclaim in its entirety.
  • Successfully represented KL Eco City at the High Court and subsequently in the Court of Appeal, obtaining judgment against the main contractor for liquidated ascertained damages.

Malaysia > Tax Tier 2

The team at Raja, Darryl & Loh is praised for its 'top notch' understanding of complex tax issues, and is led by Vijey Mohana Krishnan, who advises clients from the banking and infrastructure industries on various tax concerns. With demonstrable experience in representing clients before the Court of Appeal and Customs Appeal Tribunal, the practice’s scope of work includes income tax, real property gains, sales and service tax, in addition to customs duties and stamp duty. William Wong primarily focuses on corporate and individual income tax planning and tax investigations, while tax specialist Chang Ee Leen is involved in tax litigation work.

Practice head(s):

Vijey Mohana Krishnan

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘The tax team is the best in the country, their understanding of the complex issues are top notch, and their ability to simplify them to the client is fantastic. They have successfully represented us in multiple complex tax cases.’

‘Vijey Mohana Krishnan and William Wong are extremely knowledgeable and are very user friendly. The provide practical and realistic advice and have come up with winnable solutions.’

‘They are thorough and experienced in understanding our cases and able to deliver the most effective results.’

‘Able to apply and elaborate the application of the law and assess the potential impact to the business efficiently and effectively.’

Work highlights

  • Successfully represented CIMB-Principal Asset Management Berhad before the Court of Appeal, obtaining confirmation that capital expenditure incurred on the provision of software, including consultancy fees and related incidental charges, qualifies for capital allowance claims.
  • Acted for Metrogold Commercial Sdn Bhd in the High Court and successfully challenged the Royal Malaysia Customs Department’s reduction of the client’s GST input tax credit.
  • Successfully represented Ehsan Armada Sdn Bhd in appeal proceedings before the High Court on the tax deductibility of payments made by the client to the Selangor State Government, to exempt the client from building lower cost units.

Malaysia > TMT (including Fintech) Tier 2

Raja, Darryl & Loh’s technical expertise allows the team to draft and negotiate contracts and arrangements for a wide array of issues including cloud agreements, the supply of technology systems and network security and encryption. Additionally, a burgeoning fintech practice equips the firm to advise on matters spanning digital banking, cross-border payment solutions and peer-to-peer financing. Tong Lai Ling steers the group’s TMT offering; Ling’s diverse portfolio of work covers personal data protection, convergence issues and artificial intelligence. Chong Mei Mei is well-regarded for her advice concerning the provision of micro-financing, while Jed Tan Yeong Tat has in-depth knowledge of work relating to information and communications technology contracts.

Practice head(s):

Tong Lai Ling

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Ability to provide guidance in challenging situations.’

‘A very accommodating team with good in-depth knowledge.’

‘Jed Tan Yeong Tat is very engaging and detail-oriented. His ability to understand the risks towards the business and balance them with legal mitigations is excellent, making him an effective adviser.’

‘Deep subject matter expertise on all things TMT and data in Malaysia.’

‘Tong Lai Ling is ever-reliable and responsive, and delivers a consistently high standard of service and work product.’

‘Practical and commercial. Understand the client’s business and provide a hands-on approach.’

Key clients

Silverlake Group

TikTok

Bursa Malaysia Berhad

Work highlights

  • Advising Bursa Malaysia in relation to its application to the Securities Commission Malaysia for registration as a recognized market to operate a new debt fundraising platform.
  • Advised a boutique technology provider on its agreement with an airline company for the development of a bespoke “super application” based on a proprietary artificial intelligence voice and text operating platform.
  • Advise a global retail enterprise solutions provider on its end-to-end supply, development, implementation and maintenance of a merchandising and wholesale solution system for the A.S. Watson group.

Malaysia > Corporate and M&A Tier 3

Raja, Darryl & Loh’s ‘excellent’ practice advises its client roster of high-net-worth individuals, as well as private and public entities, on matters concerning cross-border acquisitions, restructurings, company reorganisations, and sale and purchase agreements. It is also well-equipped to advise on the due diligence aspects of such mandates. Chew Phye Keat leads the team and ‘extremely attentive’ Joyce Teh is another key name to note.

Practice head(s):

Chew Phye Keat

Other key lawyers:

Joyce Teh; Tai Chu Wei

Testimonials

‘An excellent team – professional, knowledgeable and thorough. The service that they provide is excellent and efficient, and follow-ups are outstanding.’

‘Joyce Teh is extremely attentive and provides top-notch responses.’

‘The team is reliable and thorough in their work.’

‘Strong local knowledge from a full-service law firm.’

Key clients

Silverlake Group

Hong Leong Group

Work highlights

  • Acted as the Malaysian counsel to Intrepid E-Commerce in connection with its sale to Ascential, a global data and analytics firm, for $250m.
  • Advised Ikhasas Sawit Sdn Bhd on the acquisition of PT Rafi Kamajaya Abadi and PT Sawit Rezeki Abadi, two entities engaged in oil palm plantation in Kalimantan, Indonesia, for RM115m.
  • Acted as the lead counsel to Mr Goh Peng Ooi in respect of the investment of $40m by private equity firm, Ikhlas Capital, in Mr Goh Peng Ooi’s company in Singapore, which is the holding company of SGX-listed Silverlake Axis Ltd.

Malaysia > Islamic finance Tier 3

Led by Chew Phye Keat, the Islamic finance team at Raja, Darryl & Loh advises on various Shariah principles. The practice regularly advises Islamic banking clients on potential new products, in addition to assisting with regulatory and governance considerations. The firm has demonstrable experience in advising digital banks on their Islamic finance products, as well as handling compliance work. Syed Adam Alhabshi is a key member of the group.

Practice head(s):

Chew Phye Keat

Other key lawyers:

Work highlights

  • Advised an Islamic financial institution in conducting a Shariah rectification exercise following the discovery of a Shariah non-compliant event in respect of its cash line facility.
  • Advising two of the five new digital banks that have been awarded digital banking licenses, specifically the two banks that will offer Islamic finance products under the Islamic Financial Services Act 2013.
  • Advising an Islamic financial institution that is structuring a new program which utilises the client’s Zakat fund as a source of funds for a microfinancing product to qualified B40 beneficiaries who are pre-bankable.

Malaysia > Projects and energy Tier 3

Ooi Huey Miin leads the projects and energy practice at Raja, Darryl & Loh, following the departure of former team lead Choon Hon Leng to Sanjay Mohan in January 2023. The team advises its portfolio of clients, including government-owned entities, on infrastructure matters, in addition to handling the procurement, construction and contractual elements of development projects.

Practice head(s):

Ooi Huey Miin

Other key lawyers:

Hor Shirley; Zack Tan Zhang Wei

Key clients

Prasarana Malaysia Berhad

Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd

RTS Operations Pte Ltd

Muhibbah Engineering Berhad

Perbadanan PR1MA Malaysia

Raja, Darryl & Loh, a full-service legal firm in Malaysia, was established in 1964 and is one of the larger law firms in the country. With a network of legal and other professional firms in other jurisdictions, the firm has the capacity to procure international professional assistance and referrals for its clients.

Clients range from conglomerates, multinationals, public listed companies, banks and other financial institutions, fund and asset management companies and corporations in a broad spectrum of industries to high-net-worth individuals.

The firm’s lawyers comprise practitioners who have been trained in Malaysia as well as abroad, including other common law jurisdictions such as Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Many are barristers who have been admitted to the Bar of England and Wales. They are proficient in many languages – English, Malay, Tamil, Mandarin and various Chinese dialects.

Some partners are members of the Panels of Arbitrators, Adjudicators and Mediators of the Asian International Arbitration Centre.

Most of the partners of the firm have been recognised over many years by legal publications as leading practitioners in their respective areas of expertise.

Banking, corporate, commercial law, construction, foreign investment, intellectual property, medical law and healthcare, mergers and acquisitions and real estate may be said to constitute the core practice areas. Whether in regard to dispute resolution, issuing legal opinions or drafting, vetting and negotiation of documents, these areas of law have been part of the bedrock of the firm’s practice for decades.

In addition to the above, the firm includes in its domain quite a number of other areas which may be considered specialist, notably: aviation, competition, energy, e-commerce, financial technology, insolvency, employment and industrial relations, personal data protection, technology, multimedia and telecommunications, tax and unit trusts and investment funds. Over the years, the respective partners have built up experienced teams, gaining a solid reputation for quality work.

At the heart of it all, over and above the areas of expertise, the firm believes that its strength, the thing that may well make it stand out from the crowd, is its emphasis on professionalism and integrity, coupled with its practical, innovative and holistic approach to help clients achieve the results they require.

Department Name Email Telephone
AntiTrust & Competition, Intellectual Property, Technology, Multimedia & Telecommunications Chew Phye Keat chewphyekeat@rdl.com.my 603 2632 9873
Dispute Resolution, Banking & Finance Ng Sai Yeang nsy@rdl.com.my 603 2632 9877
Labour & Employment, Dispute Resolution, Wills, Probate & Administration Ravindra Kumar Rengasamy ravindrakumar@rdl.com.my 603 2632 9863
Dispute Resolution, Medical law & Healthcare, Media law Raja Eileen Soraya Bt Raja Aman eileensoraya@rdl.com.my 603 2632 9890
Tax, Foreign Investment Vijey M Krishnan mkvijey@rdl.com.my 603 2632 9868
Insolvency & Restructuring, Dispute Resolution, Banking & Finance Mark La Brooy marklabrooy@rdl.com.my 603 2632 9865
Technology, Multimedia & Telecommunications, Personal Data Protection & Privacy, E-Commerce Tong Lai Ling tonglailing@rdl.com.my 603 2632 9878
Capital Markets, Corporate and M&A, Insurance Tai Chu Wei taichuiwei@rdl.com.my 603 2632 9891
Corporate and M&A, Medical Law & Healthcare, Foreign Investment, Banking & Finance Joyce Teh Yen Yen joyceteh@rdl.com.my 603 2632 9882
Aviation, Banking & Finance, Corporate and M&A, Foreign Investment, Unit Trusts & Investments Chong Kok Seng kokseng@rdl.com.my 603 2632 9889
Intellectual property Yvonne Ong yvonneong@rdl.com.my 603 2632 9886
Financial Technology, E-Commerce, Banking & Finance, Money Services Business, Real Estate Chong Mei Mei chongmeimei@rdl.com.my 603 2632 9887
Arbitration, Dispute Resolution, Construction, Energy & Infrastructure Ooi Huey Miin hueymiin@rdl.com.my 603 2632 9893
Banking & Finance, Real Estate, AntiTrust & Competition Wong Quan Sean qswong@rdl.com.my 603 2632 9869
Arbitration, Dispute Resolution, Construction, Energy & Infrastructure Hor Shirley horshirley@rdl.com.my 603 2632 9880
Labour & Employment, Dispute Resolution, Wills, Probate & Administration Tham Li Vyen livyen@rdl.com.my 603 2632 9875
Arbitration, Construction, Energy & Infrastructure Joshua Chong joshuachong@rdl.com.my 603 2632 9876
Dispute Resolution, Medical Law & Healthcare Charlaine Adrienne Chin charlaine@rdl.com.my 603 2632 9904
Tax William Wong williamwong@rdl.com.my 603 2632 9905
Tax Chang Ee Leen eeleen.chang@rdl.com.my 603 2632 9911
Arbitration, Construction, Energy & Infrastructure Zack Tan Zhang Wei zacktan@rdl.com.my 603 2632 9927
Islamic Finance Dr Syed Adam Alhabshi adam@rdl.com.my 603 2632 9883
Technology, Multimedia & Telecommunications Jed Tan Yeong Tat jedtan@rdl.com.my 603 2632 9918
Dispute Resolution Teoh Chye Yi chyeyi@rdl.com.my 603-2632 9913
AntiTrust & Competition Cheong Chun Yong chunyong@rdl.com.my 603 2632 9925
Photo Name Position Profile
Syed Adam Alhabshi photo Dr Syed Adam Alhabshi Partner – Islamic Finance
Ee Leen Chang photo Ms Ee Leen Chang Partner, Tax
Phye Keat Chew photo Mr Phye Keat Chew Managing Partner; Head of Corporate and Commercial; Competition law.
Charlaine Adrienne Chin photo Ms Charlaine Adrienne Chin Partner; Dispute Resolution; Medico-Legal
Mei Mei Chong photo Ms Mei Mei Chong Partner; Fintech; Banking & Finance; Real Estate
Kok Seng Chong photo Mr Kok Seng Chong Partner; Aviation, Banking & Finance, Mergers & Acquisitions
Joshua Chong photo Mr Joshua Chong Partner; Dispute Resolution; Construction, Infrastructure & Energy
Shirley Hor photo Ms Shirley Hor Partner; Dispute Resolution, Construction, Infrastructure & Energy
Vijey Krishnan photo Mr Vijey Krishnan Partner; Tax
Mark La Brooy photo Mr Mark La Brooy Partner- Dispute Resolution; Insolvency; Banking and Finance;
Sai Yeang Ng photo Ms Sai Yeang Ng Partner – Head of Dispute Resolution; Banking & Finance; Insolvency
Yvonne Ong photo Ms Yvonne Ong Partner; Head of Intellectual Property.
Huey Miin Ooi photo Mr Huey Miin Ooi Partner; Dispute Resolution; Construction, Infrastructure & Energy; Arbitration
Raja Eileen Soraya Raja Aman photo Ms Raja Eileen Soraya Raja Aman Partner; Dispute Resolution; Medico-legal; Media Law
Ravindra Kumar Rengasamy photo Mr Ravindra Kumar Rengasamy Partner; Dispute Resolution;Head of Employment and Industrial Relations.
Chu Wei Tai photo Mr Chu Wei Tai Partner; Capital Markets; Mergers & Acquisitions
Jed Tan photo Mr Jed Tan Partner – Technology, Multimedia and Telecommunications
Jed Tan photo Mr Jed Tan Partner – Technology, Multimedia and Telecommunications
Zack Tan photo Mr Zack Tan Partner; Construction, Infrastructure and Energy
Joyce Teh photo Ms Joyce Teh Partner; Corporate; Mergers & Acquisitions; Healthcare
Li Vyen Tham photo Ms Li Vyen Tham Partner; Dispute Resolution; Employment & Industrial Relations
Lai Ling Tong photo Ms Lai Ling Tong Partner; Head of Technology, Multimedia & Telecommunications
Quan Sean Wong photo Ms Quan Sean Wong Partner; Corporate & Commercial; Real Estate
William Wong photo Mr William Wong Partner – Tax
Number of lawyers : 75
English
Bahasa Malaysia
Mandarin
Tamil
Contacts : Chew Phye Keat (chewphyekeat@rdl.com.my)
Contacts : Ng Sai Yeang (nsy@rdl.com.my)