Overview

• Acted for the national oil company and one of the State Governments in Malaysia in court proceedings involving land acquisitions for a RM60 billion industrial development project in Malaysia (from the High Court to the Federal Court). The total value of claim that was resisted was more than RM700 million for approximately 2,800 acres of land. The Court of Appeal’s decision is reported at Kelana Megah Development Sdn Bhd lwn Pentadbir Tanah Daerah, Kota Tinggi dan satu lagi [2019] 1 MLJ 723, [2018] 1 LNS 1655 (affirmed by the Federal Court in 2020). 


• Acted for a large land-holding company in Land References where the market value of the lands exceeded RM130 million. 


• Acted for a large palm oil plantation company where the value of claim exceeded RM75 million. 


• Acted for one of the State Governments in Malaysia and a statutory body in various Land References where the market value of lands claimed exceeds RM3.6 billion, and wherein other claims (like business losses) are also being raised. The High Court decision is reported at KCSB Konsortium Sdn Bhd v Pentadbir Tanah, Johor Bahru & Anor and other cases [2020] 9 MLJ 193, [2020] 3 CLJ 112, [2019] 1 LNS 1116. 


• Acted for one of the District Land Administrators from one of the States in Malaysia in an appeal at the Federal Court and subsequently, in successfully resisting a review application by the landowner at the Federal Court. The Federal Court set aside the Court of Appeal’s award of approximately RM11 million in additional compensation to the landowner. The land was acquired for the construction of a centralised sewerage treatment plant as part of a RM240 million rehabilitation and rejuvenation project of a river. The Federal Court decision is reported at Pentadbir Tanah Daerah Johor v Nusantara Daya Sdn Bhd [2021] 4 MLJ 570, [2021] 7 CLJ 1, [2021] 5 AMR 769. 


• Acted for one of the District Land Administrators from one of the States in Malaysia in appeals at the Court of Appeal and Federal Court involving the acquisition of land valued at approximately RM30 million for a RM5 billion deepwater petroleum terminal project. The Court of Appeal decision is reported at Teguh Kemajuan Sdn Bhd v Pentadbir Tanah Daerah Kota Tinggi & Anor and other appeals [2021] 3 MLJ 141, [2021] 2 CLJ 118.   


• Acted for the Management Corporation of a commercial development in seeking additional compensation of approximately RM25 million for severance damage and injurious affection arising from an acquisition for the RM5.3 billion Sungai Besi-Ulu Kelang Elevated Expressway (SUKE). The High Court decision is reported at Perbadanan Pengurusan Leap v Pentadbir Tanah Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur [2021] MLJU 1168, [2021] 1 LNS 1046. On appeal, the Court of Appeal ordered additional compensation of RM14.6 million to be paid to the Management Corporation. 


• Acted for an investment holding company of one of the States in Malaysia and one of the said State’s Land Administrators in resisting a Judicial Review and its subsequent appeals by the landowner to set aside land acquisitions for a large commercial and residential project. The High Court decision is reported at KCSB Konsortium Sdn Bhd v Pengarah Tanah Dan Galian Johor & Ors [2018] MLJU 74, [2018] 1 LNS 90 (affirmed by the Court of Appeal).   
• Represented one of the State Governments in Malaysia and its Director of Land and Mines in appeals at the Court of Appeal arising from a High Court decision which allowed claims based on native customary rights over 7,000 acres of lands and waterways in southern Peninsular Malaysia. The case is reported at https://www.theedgemarkets.com/node/651501. 


• Represented one of the State Governments in Malaysia, its Director of Land and Mines, one of its Land Administrators and its National Park Authority in an appeal at the Court of Appeal arising from a High Court decision which allowed claims of native customary rights over 15,000 acres of land.

• Acted for one of the largest petroleum refineries within Malaysia in an appeal against the imposition of rates by a local authority. The estimated improved value of assets imposed was approximately RM2.6 billion, and the consequent annual assessment rates were approximately RM13 million. 


• Acted for the terminal operator in rating appeals involving developments such as 430,000 cubic metre capacity storage tanks for clean petroleum products, common tankage facilities (inclusive of shared infrastructure) and deepwater marine facilities (including jetty). The total estimated improved value of assets imposed is approximately RM830 million.


• Acted for the leading gas infrastructure and utilities company within Malaysia which is also one of the largest companies on the local bourse (in terms of market capitalisation) in a considerable number of appeals against the imposition of rates by various local authorities within the country, including one where it was successfully argued at the apex Court that rates could not be imposed upon an occupier in respect of lands occupied. The High Court decision is reported at Petronas Gas Bhd lwn Majlis Bandaraya Shah Alam [2018] 8 MLJ 230. 


• Acted for the leading gas infrastructure and utilities company within Malaysia in two Judicial Reviews against unrelated local authorities to set aside retrospective rates, and in resisting the local authorities’ subsequent appeals at the Court of Appeal (both proceedings were successful despite a previous Court of Appeal decision which suggested that retrospective rates were justifiable). 


• Advised and acted for corporations within the oil and gas industry in separate rating appeals concerning assets in the prominent petroleum refining and petrochemical complex/hub in Pengerang, Johor (all settled).  


• Acted for a leading provider of tank terminal storage facilities and handling services based in Pengerang Integrated Petroleum Complex, Johor in an appeal against the imposition of rates by a local authority (settled). The estimated improved value of assets imposed was approximately RM225.5 million. 


• Acting for an oil & gas company in an application for Judicial Review in the High Court where the disputed improved value fixed by the local authority exceeds RM2.5 billion. The High Court decision for leave to commence the Judicial Review is reported at Pengerang Independent Terminals Sdn Bhd v Majlis Perbandaran Pengerang [2022] MLJU 3337.  

• Advised a global air carrier operating flights for corporations, governments and private clients to more than 180 countries worldwide regarding the compliance and regulatory aspects of the civil aviation industry in Malaysia. 


• Represented a global air carrier at an inquiry/hearing before the Malaysian Aviation Commission pursuant to Section 81 of the Malaysian Aviation Commission Act 2015. 


• Advised a Malaysian airport operator on corporate defamation and claims for business losses. 


• Acting for the owner of a private jet in a High Court Suit against aircraft service providers for damage done to the said jet.

• Acted for an engineering firm based in the European Union in an international arbitration involving an agreement for services within the oil and gas industry in Russia.


• Acted against the Government of Malaysia in an arbitration relating to two contracts to computerise certain systems. 


• Acted for a large purified terephthalic acid (PTA) producer in resisting applications made under Sections 37 & 42 of the Arbitration Act 2005 and subsequent appeals to set aside an arbitration award. The arbitration involved the recovery of specialised assets and claims of damages. The Court of Appeal’s decision is reported at Konsortium Lord-Saberkat Sdn Bhd v RP Chemicals (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd & another appeal [2019] 1 CLJ 728, [2018] MLJU 1776 (where leave to appeal to the Federal Court was successfully resisted). 


• Acted for one of the leading producers of natural sweeteners (Malaysian branch) in a civil suit and appeal at the Court of Appeal for failure to process and supply a controlled raw material. 


• Acted for one of the leading producers of natural sweeteners (Malaysian branch) in an arbitration relating to a contract to supply liquefied gas. 


• Acted for the Malaysian arm of a Fortune Global 500 company in multi-party suits involving conventional financial and Takaful products. 


• Acted for a communications company in a dispute with the regulator in proceedings before the relevant Appeal Tribunal set up under the governing statute.

Qualifications:

• Advocate and Solicitor, High Court of Malaya (2015)
• Certificate of Legal Practice (2014)
• LL.B, University of Auckland (2013)

Professional Affiliations:

• ICC YAF Regional Representative for South Asia, International Chamber of Commerce Young Arbitrators Forum (2019 – 2021)
• Committee Member, Kuala Lumpur Bar Committee 2023/2024
• Chairperson, Kuala Lumpur Bar Committee’s Young Lawyers Committee 2023/2024
• Member, Bar Council’s Corporate & Commercial Law Committee (2023/2024)
• Member, Bar Council's International Professional Services Committee (2023/2024)
• Member, Bar Council’s National Young Lawyers and Pupils Committee (2020/2021 – 2023/2024)
• Member, Bar Council’s Legal Profession Committee (2020/2021 – 2022/2023)
• Project Head of Research Program, Management Panel, Bar Council Legal Aid Centre (Kuala Lumpur) (2019 – 2022)
• Member, Bar Council’s Arbitration Committee (2021 – 2022)
• Member, YSIAC of Singapore International Arbitration Centre
• Member, Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) Young Practitioners Group
• Member, Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre’s HK45
• Alumni Coordinator for Malaysia, University of Auckland Alumni Network

Publications:

• Contributing Editor, The Annotated Statutes of Malaysia: Land Acquisition Act 1960 (Issue 188) (2021) (LexisNexis).
• Author, Halsbury’s Laws of Malaysia: [270] Landlord & Tenant and [280] Distress (updates) (2020) (LexisNexis).
• Author, Atkin’s Court Forms Malaysia – Land (updates) (2019, 2020) (LexisNexis).
• Author, Atkin’s Court Forms Malaysia – Appeals (updates) (2019) (LexisNexis).
• Co-author, “Malaysian regulators urged to consider prohibiting surcharges for airline seats next to minors and persons with disabilities or reduced mobility”, Skrine Alerts (2021) (republished in the International Law Office Aviation Newsletter).
• Co-author, “Weathering COVID-19: aviation regulators’ measures to aid aviation operations”, International Law Office Aviation Newsletter (2020).
• Author, “The Singapore Convention On Mediation: Towards A New Dawn In Resolving Disputes and A Change in Malaysia's Regulatory Framework for Mediation?”, Kuala Lumpur Bar’s Relevan Issue No. 2/2019.
• Author, “Civil aviation security: new regulations take effect”, International Law Office Aviation Newsletter (2019).
• Author, “Beefing Up Aviation Security”, Skrine Legal Insights Issue 2/2019.
• Co-author, “Now everyone can fly… with fewer headaches!”, International Law Office Aviation Newsletter (2018).

Talks:

• Speaker, ‘Understanding Land Acquisition Processes and Disputes’, Malaysia Property Law Conference (October 2023).
• Speaker, Debate & Panel Discussion on ‘Short-Term Rental or AirBnB Should be Prohibited/Allowed/Regulated’, Housing Development and Real Property Conference 2023 (June 2023).
• Speaker, ‘Land Acquisition: Navigating Disputes and Compensation Claims’, 11^th Malaysia Land Conference (May 2023).
• Speaker, ‘Land Reference proceedings’, Skrine Professional Development & Knowledge Management programme (March 2023).
• Speaker, LexisNexis International Women’s Day Panel: Embrace Equity (March 2023).
• Speaker, workshop on ‘Get Your Drone Straight: Manoeuvring Procedural Issues in Moot’ organised by the Asian International Arbitration Centre (February 2023).
• Moderator, panel discussion on ‘Emerging Trends in Arbitration’,  Malaysian Bar’s National Young Lawyers and Pupils Conference – ‘Thriving in 2033: Mastering the Unknown’ (February 2023).
• Keynote Speaker, MCCC Convention 2022 organised by the International Islamic University Malaysia (May 2022).
• Speaker, Civil Laws Workshop organised by the Bar Council Legal Aid Centre (Kuala Lumpur) (March 2022).
• Speaker, panel discussion on ‘Incorporation by Reference: A Hidden Pitfall?’ organised by the Asian International Arbitration Centre (February 2022).
• Speaker, ‘Know Your Rights’ Workshop organised by Project ID x Skrine (November 2021, November 2022).
• Moderator, Skrine webinar on 'Recent Developments in Rating and Valuation' (October 2021).
• Speaker, ‘The Young Advocate's Guide to Arguing Your Case’, workshop organised by Taylor's Mooting Society (October 2021).
• Speaker, Oral Advocacy Workshop organised by the Malaysian Law Student Network (October 2021).
• Speaker, panel discussion on 'Tips for the young, by the young!', 8th ICC YAF Global Conference (September 2021).
• Moderator, panel discussion on ‘Fight, Flight or Freeze: Online Dispute Resolution during the Covid-19 Pandemic’ organised by the Kuala Lumpur Bar (June 2021).
• Speaker, panel discussion on ‘Dispute Resolution Today: Future Proceedings in Malaysia’ organised by BAC Law Society (February 2021).
• Speaker, panel discussion on ‘Remote Hearings and Surveillance Technology Post Covid-19 Pandemic’ organised by Taylor’s Law School (July 2020).
• Moderator, panel discussion on ‘Virtual Hearings in the 2020s: Contemporary Perspectives From The Bar’ organised by the Kuala Lumpur Bar (May 2020).
• Speaker, webinar on ‘Advocacy 101: Arbitration’, NAMCO Outreach Series (April 2020).
• Speaker, Civil Laws Workshop for the Bar Council Legal Aid Centre (Kuala Lumpur), at the Kuala Lumpur Bar Auditorium (December 2019).
• Speaker, Asian International Arbitration Centre YPG's ADR & Arbitration Moot Workshop, at Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu (December 2019).
• Moderator, panel discussion on “Evolution – What The Future Holds For The Arbitration Industry?”, at the inaugural AIAC - Bar Council - Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Joint Conference (October 2019).
• Speaker, panel discussion on the landmark Federal Court case of JRI Resources Sdn Bhd v Kuwait Finance House, in conjunction with the Kuala Lumpur Bar - Lincoln's Inn Alumni Moot Court Competition (September 2019).
• Speaker, Mooting Workshop, BAC Mooting Society (September 2019).
• Moderator, “Introduction to Legal Tech” forum, organised by the Asian International Arbitration Centre and LawTech Malaysia (August 2019).
• Speaker, “The Junior Counsel's Essential Toolkit”, BAC Mooting Society (February 2019).
• Speaker, “Red Flags on Delivering Oral Submissions”; Panel Speaker on “How to Train Your Oralist” & Counsel in a mock arbitration hearing, at the Mooting Workshop organised by the Asian International Arbitration Centre (January 2019).
• Speaker, Case Management 101, Skrine Professional Development & Knowledge Management programme (October 2018, April 2019, November 2019, May 2021, February 2022, January 2023).
• Speaker and Trainer, KLRCA Mooting Workshop for Students, Coaches & Young Practitioners (January 2018).

•  "Up and coming litigation lawyer." - asialaw Profiles 2021