Meet Our Partners

OUR PARTNERS

OUR PEOPLE / PARTNERS

SENIOR PARTNERS

Datuk Syed Zaid Albar

explore

Datuk Syed Zaid Albar

Founding Partner

Profile

Datuk Syed Zaid is a Barrister-at-law (Lincoln's Inn, London), having been admitted and called to the Bar of England & Wales in 1979. He was admitted as an Advocate and Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya in 1980. Datuk Syed Zaid obtained a B.A. (Hons) Law from the University of Westminster in 1978. Datuk Syed Zaid is the founding partner of Albar & Partners (established in 1999). The Firm’s historical roots can be traced back to 1982 when Syed Zaid established a law firm under the name Albar & Co.

Datuk Syed Zaid resigned from the firm and left practice in November 2018 upon being appointed as the Executive Chairman of the Securities Commission Malaysia.

Practice Areas & Experience

Syed Zaid’s practice area are in Corporate Law, Debt & Equity Capital Market (Bonds,Sukuk & IPOs) and Banking & Islamic Finance.

Over the years, Datuk Syed Zaid has established himself as one of the leading lawyers in Malaysia particularly in the field of Islamic Finance in the Capital Market. He has been involved in various key transactions and his contributions & achievements were recognised through numerous domestic and international awards.

He was engaged in several notable and award winning transactions in Islamic Finance and Project Finance in the Capital Market, such as:

The RM2 billion Perpetual Sukuk issued by DRB-HICOM Bhd, which won “Islamic Finance Deal of the Year” award (The Asian Lawyer’s Emerging Markets Awards 2015: Singapore) and which was also recognised as one of the Asian-MENA Counsel’s Deal of the Year 2015;

The Malakoff Corporation Berhad RM2.74 billion IPO, which won applause from Islamic finance industry experts as the "Equity & IPO Deal of the Year” (Islamic Finance News Awards 2015) and “IPO Deal of the Year” award (Asian Lawyer’s Emerging Markets Awards 2015);

The Boustead REIT privatisation & Boustead Plantations Berhad IPO, which was named “Best Islamic Privatisation” (Triple A Islamic Finance Awards 2014), “Islamic Finance Deal of the Year” (Asian Lawyer’s Emerging Markets Awards 2014) and “Equity Market Deal of the Year” (ALB Malaysia Law Awards 2015);

The Tanjung Bin Energy RM6.8 billion Project Financing, which was lauded as “Asia Pacific Project Bond of the Year” (Thomson Reuters - PFI 2012 Award) and "Project Finance Deal of the Year" award (IFLR Asia Awards 2012);

The multi-billion ringgit Islamic medium term notes & commercial papers issuance based on Ijarah and Musyarakah principles to finance the nation’s designated water assets owner, which won three (3) prestigious awards; namely “Malaysia Deal of the Year 2009”, “Infrastructure Deal of the Year 2009”, & “Project Finance Deal of the Year 2009” (IFN 2010 Deals of the Year Awards);

Appointments And Memberships

Datuk Syed Zaid was the Executive Chairman of the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) from November 2018 to May 2022). As SC Chairman, Datuk Syed held the following positions:

Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Capital Market Development Fund (CMDF), a statutory fund established in 2002 with the objective of funding the development and promotion of the capital market;

Chairman, Securities Industry Development Corporation (SIDC), a capital market learning and development solutions provider for the Capital Market industry participants in Malaysia;

Member of the Board of Trustees of The Financial Reporting Foundation (FRF) a body largely responsible for the establishment of a sound and effective infrastructure for the financial reporting framework also and acts as a sounding board for the adoption of the MASB's accounting standards;

Member of Bank Negara Malaysia’s Financial Stability Executive Committee (FSEC), whose objective is to preserve the nation’s financial stability and acts on specific policy measures that may be taken to avert or mitigate systemic risks to financial stability.

On the international front, Datuk Syed Zaid held the following positions :

Member of the governing Board of International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), the global body of capital market regulators comprising 38 board members out of a total membership covering 130 jurisdictions of securities regulators;

Board representative for the Asia Pacific Regional Committee (APRC) of IOSCO (2020-2022). The APRC is a regional committee constituted by IOSCO to focus on regional issues relating to securities regulation in the Asia-Pacific region;

Vice Chair of the Management Committee of the IOSCO Asia Pacific Hub based in Kuala Lumpur;

Vice Chair of the Growth and Emerging Markets Committee (GEM) of the IOSCO (2019-2020), which comprises 90 members and 24 associate members. The Committee seeks to promote the development and greater efficiency of emerging securities and futures markets;

Represented the SC in the ASEAN Capital Markets Forum (ACMF) - The ASEAN Capital Markets Forum (ACMF) is a grouping of the heads of capital market regulators from all 10 ASEAN jurisdictions. Its primary responsibility is to develop a deep, liquid and integrated regional capital market.

Professional Appointments

In recognition of his experience in the area of Capital Market, Islamic and conventional, Datuk Syed Zaid served on the Islamic Law Review Committee of Bank Negara Malaysia (2003-2005) and the Appeals Committee of Bursa Malaysia Berhad (2013-2018).

Recognition

Datuk Syed Zaid was identified by the legal publication, The Asia Pacific Legal 500: the Guide to Asia’s Commercial Law Firms as a Leading Individual Lawyer in the area of Banking & Finance in Malaysia from 2003 until 2013. He received numerous peer and client recognition for 3 consecutive years at the Asian Legal Business (ALB) Malaysia Law Awards as “Dealmaker of the Year” in 2014, 2015 and 2016; besides being acknowledged the winner of “Managing Partner of the Year” award thrice in 2014, 2015 and 2017.

Board Appointments

As a practitioner with his wealth of experience, Datuk Syed Zaid was invited to sit on the boards of several public listed companies:

Chairman of the Board of Hong Leong Tokio Marine Takaful Berhad (Jan 2007-Jan 2009) (non-listed organisation)

An independent director of Cycle & Carriage Bintang Berhad (Dec 2001-Apr 2008 and Mar 2018-Oct 2018);

An independent director of Yinson Holdings Berhad (Aug 2016-Oct 2018);

A non-Independent non-Executive Director of Encorp Berhad (Mar 2018-Jul 2018);

An independent director of Malaysian Pacific Industries Berhad (Jul 1994-Mar 2018);

An independent director of Malaysia Building Society Berhad (Aug 2002-Apr 2014) and continued to serve as a non-independent and non-executive director from April 2014 to February 2018;

An independent director of Kencana Petroleum Berhad (Sept 2008-May 2012);

An independent director of Narra Industries Berhad (now known as Hume Industries Berhad) (May 1995-Apr 2015).

V.Vijakumar
Litigation & Alternative Dispute Resolution

explore

V.Vijakumar

Senior Partner - Administration

General Line  : +603 7890 3288
Direct Line     : +603 7890 3279
Fax                  : +603 7890 3278

Profile

Vijay is one of the Senior Partners of Albar & Partners. He is in-charge of the firm’s administration. Admitted to the Bar since 1985, Vijay heads the Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) practice group. As a senior practitioner with vast experience in litigation, Vijay has conducted trials at the High Court in a broad range of civil and commercial disputes. He has also appeared as counsel before the Supreme Court (old), the Federal Court, the Court of Appeal, and arbitral tribunals in numerous complex, high stakes cases, some of which have been reported. Vijay has acted for Pengurusan Danaharta Nasional Berhad and Prokhas Sdn Bhd in complicated disputes, and advised Special Administrators in insolvency and workout proposals.

Practice Area

Litigation & ADR

Qualifications

LLB (Hons), University of London.
Utter Barrister of the Honourable Society of Middle Temple, London.
Advocate and Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya.
Registered Mediator on the Panel of Mediators with Asian International Arbitration Centre (Malaysia)

Recognition

Asialaw Leading Lawyers (2014 ed): Leading Lawyer in Dispute Resolution.
Benchmark Asia-Pacific (2013 ed): The Definitive Guide to the Leading Disputes Firms & Attorneys in the region: Local Disputes Star for Malaysia.
Commended for “…his great experience in the areas of civil litigation and contractual disputes. He personally attends to matters and has always provided support on short notice”: Benchmark Asia-Pacific (2013 ed).

Other Roles

Vijay serves as the firm’s AML Compliance officer.
He is a member of the Disciplinary Committee, under the purview of the Malaysian Bar Council’s Advocates & Solicitors Disciplinary Board, a statutory body created by the Legal Profession Act 1976 to investigate and hear complaints made against members of the Malaysian Bar. Vijay also acts as chairman of the Disciplinary Committee on a permanent basis.
Besides being an active practitioner, he often presents seminar papers on Debt Recovery, Insolvency and Receivers & Managers for leading local financial institutions as part of their training programmes for bank officers and as a speaker for the Kuala Lumpur Bar.
Vijay regularly appears as a Moot Judge for the LawAsia Moot Competitions.

Chung Swee Loong
Banking & Finance (Including Islamic Finance), Capital Markets

explore

Chung Swee Loong

Senior Partner

General Line : +603 7890 3288
Fax : +603 7890 3280

Profile

Swee Loong is one of the Senior Partners of Albar & Partners. He is in-charge of the firm’s Banking & Finance and Debt Capital Markets practice groups. He has a track record of having advised on many mega and innovative structures in Banking & Finance (both conventional and Islamic finance) and Debt Capital Markets instruments, structured finance, asset backed securitisation and project finance transactions, some of which have won awards as benchmark transactions in South East Asia.

Practice Area

Banking & Finance, Capital Markets (Debt & Equity), Islamic Finance

Qualifications

B.Ec (Accounting), The University of Sydney, Australia.
LL.B, The University of Sydney, Australia.
Barrister-at-Law, Supreme Court of New South Wales, Australia.
Advocate and Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya.

Recognition

The Asia Business Law Journal 2019 edition: “The A-List: Malaysia’s Top 100 Lawyers”.
Asia Pacific Legal 500: The Guide to Asia’s Commercial Law Firms: “Leading Individual” in Banking & Finance, Capital Markets and Islamic Finance.
Asialaw Leading Lawyers: “Elite Practitioner” for Banking & Finance and Capital Markets.
Chambers Asia Guide: “Band 1 Leading Lawyer” for Banking & Finance. Also ranked for Islamic Finance.
Euromoney Expert Guide to the World’s Leading Banking, Finance and Transactional Lawyers: Featured for Capital Markets and Islamic Finance.
IFLR1000: The Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms: “Highly Regarded Leading Lawyer” for Banking, Capital Markets, Energy & Infrastructure and Project finance.
Swee Loong has been complimented for being “…very experienced in the banking and finance sector. Reliable, professional with quality service provided.” – IFLR1000 (2019 edition).
"… top-notch for banking. You can totally rely on him if you want something complex done.”– Chambers Asia Guide (2019 edition).
“…very experienced partner in banking and corporate finance.” – Asialaw Profiles (2019 edition).

Relevant Experience

Advised the principal adviser and joint lead arranger in the RM1 billion unrated medium-term note programme established by Tradewinds Hotels & Resorts Sdn Bhd, a leading conglomerate in the hotel and hospitality sector in Malaysia.
Advised Danajamin Nasional Berhad as the issuer in the inaugural Sukuk Programme of up to RM2 billion for Senior and Subordinated Sukuk Murabahah established by Malaysia’s first financial guarantee insurer. The deal was acclaimed Commodity Murabahah/ Tawarruq Deal of the Year (IFN Deals of the Year Awards 2017).
Advised the principal adviser and lead arranger in an unrated Islamic medium-term notes programme issuance of up to RM10 billion established by Maxis Broadband Sdn Bhd, based on the Shariah principle of Murabahah (via a Tawarruq arrangement). This deal won Star Deal of the Year (Asia Business Law Journal Deals of the Year Awards 2017).
Advised a corporation, which was a wholly owned subsidiary of a Forbes Asia’s Fabulous 50 company and a leading global integrated oil and gas services and solutions provider, in its senior multi-currency syndicated facilities of up to USD5.5 billion (RM21.34 billion) obtained from regional and international lenders, in a deal which was recognised as Malaysia Deal of the Year and Debt Market Deal of the Year (ALB Malaysia Law Awards 2015).
Advised Kencana Petroleum Berhad in the merger of businesses of the Kencana Petroleum Berhad group and the Sapuracrest Petroleum Berhad group through an offer to acquire the entire business and undertakings, including all assets and liabilities of Kencana Petroleum Berhad and an offer to acquire the business and undertakings, including all assets and liabilities of Sapuracrest Petroleum Berhad, resulting in the merger of assets of an aggregate value of over RM11.8 billion to form Sapura Kencana Petroleum Berhad, the largest O&G player in the nation and a top 5 in the world by asset size in 2012.

PARTNERS

Izian Idiawaty Binti Husin
Banking & Finance, Capital Markets, Islamic Finance

explore

Izian Idiawaty Binti Husin

Partner

General Line : +603 7890 3288
Fax : +603 7890 3280

Profile

Admitted to the Malaysian Bar in 1999, Izian’s practice focuses on banking & finance, including syndicated & club-lending transactions, multi-facility loans, bridging loans, project financing, asset financing, share financing, cross border financing, offshore lending and subordinate debt instruments. She has handled a wide range of complex capital raising exercises involving underwriting and issuance of private debt securities including issuance of bonds, commercial papers and medium-term notes (both conventional and Islamic).

Practice Area

Banking & Finance, Debt Capital Markets, Islamic Finance

Qualifications

LL.B(Hons), University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.
Certificate of Legal Practice.
Advocate and Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya.

Relevant Experience

Advised the principal adviser and lead arranger in the RM1 billion unrated medium-term notes programme established by Tradewinds Hotels & Resorts Sdn Bhd, a leading conglomerate in the hotel and hospitality sector in Malaysia.
Advised a leading local commercial bank to revamp its standard loan documentation in the banking group’s migration of ‘closed monies’ documentation to ‘open all-monies’ documentation.
Advised the syndicated financiers in relation to a RM600 million syndicated term loan facility granted in favour of a FPSO and integrated offshore service provider for the global oil and gas industry to part finance its equity portion of a FPSO vessel charter contract at Tano Basin, off the coast of Ghana.
Advised a group of international, regional and local financiers from the perspective of Malaysian laws with regard to USD450 million multi-facilities procured by a member company belonging to Measat Global Berhad group to part finance the costs relating to the construction and completion of the state-of-the-art MEASAT-3b satellite.
Advised a leading telecommunications provider in relation to a multi-billion Ringgit asset backed Sukuk Ijarah issuance in a deal which created a significant and unique class of Islamic private debt securities that incorporated the features of both a fixed income instrument, as well as an investment in a portfolio of high quality property assets.

Natalie Peh Suan Wan
Corporate & Commercial,
Capital Markets

explore

Natalie Peh Suan Wan

Partner

General Line : +603 7890 3288
Fax : +603 7890 3266

Profile

Admitted to the Bar of England and Wales in 1995, Natalie was also called to the Malaysian Bar in 1997. Natalie provides legal advice on corporate exercises and commercial transactions involving corporate and securities laws, with particular emphasis on M&As, take-overs, reverse take-overs and joint ventures, venture capital, FDIs, equity-linked offerings, placements, initial public offerings and general corporate advisory matters. Her portfolio spans an extensive list of international and local clients, including leading investment banks and financial institutions, multinational and public listed companies and private equity funds.

Practice Area

Corporate & Commercial and Equity Capital Markets

Qualifications

LL.B (Hons), University of Bristol, England.
LL.M (Corporate and Commercial Law), King’s College, London.
Utter Barrister of the Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn, London.
Advocate and Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya.

Recognition

IFLR1000: The Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms: “Highly Regarded Leading Lawyer” for M&A, Capital Markets, Restructuring and Insolvency, with particular industry focus on Banking, Government and Public Policy and Oil & Gas (2020 edition). Previously featured as a “Rising Star” (2015-2019 edition).
Asialaw Leading Lawyers: “Rising Star” for Capital Markets (2014 edition).
Listed in “Who’s Who: Constitution, Government & Politics” for Malaysia (2013/2014 edition).
IFN Leading Lawyers Survey: “Leading Lawyer” for Real Estate and Property (2012 edition).
“Sound and knowledgeable in legal aspects, fast and responsive in execution.” – IFLR1000 (2020 edition)
Natalie has been noted as being “Commercial and experienced.” – Asialaw Profiles (2019 edition).

Relevant Experience

Advised the vendor, Syarikat Pengeluar Air Selangor Holdings Berhad in the RM2.55 billion disposal of its entire equity interest and redeemable unsecured loan stocks of its subsidiary, Syarkat Pengeluar Air Selangor Sdn Bhd to Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd.
Advised the purchaser, Malaysia Building Society Berhad (MBSB), in the proposed merger of MBSB and Asian Finance Bank Berhad, which resulted in the creation of the 2nd largest stand-alone Islamic bank (MBSB Bank Berhad) with estimated Islamic assets of RM38 billion based on book value of the identified assets. The deal won Equity & IPO Deal of The Year Award (IFN Law Awards 2018).
Advised the issuer, KIP REIT in the first real estate investment trust listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia with a portfolio focussed on hybrid community-centric retail centres.
Advised Maybank Investment Bank Berhad as the sole placement agent for a private placement involving an issuance of 316.35 million shares in Sime Darby Berhad. At closing, it was the largest primary placement in Southeast Asia for 2016, which was reported to have raised a total of RM2.36 billion.
Advised in the first concurrent dual listing of the integrated healthcare provider, IHH Healthcare Berhad (IHH), on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia and Singapore Stock Exchange. The IHH IPO was the second largest IPO in Malaysia & in Asia, and the third largest IPO in the world for 2012 at the point of listing, with market capitalisation in the region of RM22.96 billion and offering size of RM6.25 billion. It was recognised as Malaysia Capital Markets Deal of the Year (International Financing Review Asia Awards 2012 Hong Kong) and Deal of the Year (Asian-MENA Counsel Deals of the Year Awards 2012).
Advised Kencana Petroleum Berhad in the merger of businesses of the Kencana Petroleum Berhad group and the Sapuracrest Petroleum Berhad group through an offer to acquire the entire business and undertakings, including all assets and liabilities of Kencana Petroleum Berhad and an offer to acquire the business and undertakings, including all assets and liabilities of Sapuracrest Petroleum Berhad, resulting in the merger of assets of an aggregate value of over RM11.8 billion to form Sapura Kencana Petroleum Berhad, the largest O&G player in the nation and a top 5 in the world by asset size in 2012.

Datin Seet Hooi Ping
Corporate & Commercial,
Capital Markets, Banking & Finance

explore

Datin Seet Hooi Ping

Partner

General Line : +603 7980 3288
Fax : +603 7890 3262

Profile

Admitted to the Bar of England and Wales in 1991, Hooi Ping was also called to the Malaysian Bar in 1992. Hooi Ping has extensive experience in corporate and securities transactions, canvassing domestic and cross border M&As, voluntary and mandatory take-over offers, reverse take-overs, joint ventures, venture capital, FDIs, divestments, corporate and debt restructuring. She has advised on a wide range of capital market instruments, hybrid and derivative products and capital raising exercises, REITs and privatisations. She is also well-versed in the field of corporate governance and competition laws.

Practice Area

Banking & Finance, Corporate & Commercial, Capital Markets (Debt & Equity), Islamic Finance.

Qualifications

LL.B (Hons), University of Leeds, UK.
Utter Barrister of the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn, London.
Advocate and Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya.

Recognition

IFLR1000: The Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms: “Highly Regarded Leading Lawyer” for Banking and M&A (2020 edition). Previously featured as a “Rising Star” (2017-2019 edition).
Asialaw Leading Lawyers: “Notable Practitioner” for Corporate and M&A (2020 edition).
Hooi Ping has been commended as being “…extremely diligent, knowledgeable and understands business needs/priorities” – Asialaw Profiles (2019 edition).
“Responsive, fast and commercial.” – IFLR1000 (2019 edition).
“Strong industry knowledge and able to provide innovative solutions.” – IFLR1000 (2018 edition).

Relevant Experience

Advised Perangsang Dinamik Sdn Bhd (a wholly owned subsidiary of Kumpulan Perangsang Selangor Berhad) in the RM311.25 million cross-border acquisition of entire issued share capital of Toyoplas Manufacturing Malaysia Sdn Bhd from Toyoplas Consolidated Limited.
Advised Symphony House Sdn Bhd in the RM164.139 million cross-border disposal of Symphony Corporate House, Symphony Share Registrars and Malaysian Issuing House to Boardroom Limited.
Advised Felda Marketing Services Sdn Bhd, in the RM224.38 million disposal of its 16% shareholding in AXA AFFIN General Insurance Berhad to AXA Asia and AFFIN Bank Berhad respectively.
Advised MMC Port Holdings Sdn Bhd as the offeror, in the RM1.44 billion mandatory general offer and take-over of NCB Holdings Bhd: M&A Deal of the Year (Mid-Size) (ALB Malaysia Law Awards 2017).
Advised the sole principal adviser in the RM1.5 billion Sukuk Murabahah Programme established by MMC Corporation Berhad: Best Islamic Finance Deal of the Year (Alpha SEA Best Deal and Solutions Awards 2015).

Other Roles

Prior to joining Albar & Partners, Hooi Ping was a member of the Executive Committee holding various positions including Vice President of Human Resources, Vice President (Legal & Business Affairs) and Company Secretary at Lafarge Malaysia Berhad.
She also serves as the PDPA Compliance Officer for Albar & Partners.

Raiza Zakaria
Litigation & Alternative
Dispute Resolution

explore

Raiza Zakaria

Partner

General Line : +603 7890 3288
Fax : +603 7890 3278

Profile

Admitted to the Malaysian Bar in 2003, Raiza is an experienced practitioner whose practice focuses on banking and commercial litigation including disputes relating to director’s duties and money-laundering. Her experience extends to corporate insolvency, liquidation and receiverships and she also advises on capital reduction, schemes of arrangement, debt recovery and enforcement proceedings. She regularly appears to conduct hearings and trials in both the Sessions Courts and High Courts. Raiza has also appeared as counsel before the Court of Appeal on appellate matters and in matters involving injunction hearings.

Practice Area

Litigation & ADR

Qualifications

B. Jurisprudence (Hons), University of Malaya, Malaysia.
Certificate of Legal Practice.
Advocate and Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya.
Certificate of Mediation from the Royal Roads University of Canada.

Reported Cases

CIMB Bank Berhad v Macro Prosperity Sdn Bhd (2018).
Majlis Perbandaran Seberang Perai v. Pengurusan Danaharta Nasional Berhad; Ascort Frontier Sdn Bhd (Third Party) (2015).
AmBank (M) Berhad v. Messrs Abd Gani Che Man & Co (2014).
Yeng Chong Realty Bhd v. Tenaga Nasional Berhad & Ors (2006).
S. Muthu Kumar & Ors v. Lim Eng Kok & Ors (2006).

Relevant Experience

Represented Malaysia Building Society Berhad (MBSB) in a Court application pertaining to a scheme of arrangement with its shareholders in respect of a proposed merger which encompassed the acquisition of Asian Finance Bank Berhad (AFB) and transfer of the Shariah-compliant assets and liabilities of MBSB to AFB. The merger resulted in MBSB emerging as a full-fledged Islamic banking franchise in Malaysia. After successfully obtaining the Court order for the Court Convened Meeting in 2017, Raiza further represented MBSB to obtain the Court’s sanction in respect of the scheme of arrangement in 2018.
Represented the nation’s sole rice importer, Padiberas Nasional Berhad, to obtain the Court order to sanction its proposed privatisation and selective capital reduction and repayment exercise, which was among the first selective capital reduction petitions made pursuant to the Companies Act 2016 and the Rules on Take-Overs, Mergers and Compulsory Acquisitions.

Sharifah Dalilah Albar
Banking & Finance,
Capital Markets, Islamic Finance

explore

Sharifah Dalilah Albar

Partner

General Line : +603 7890 3288
Fax : +603 7890 3280

Profile

Admitted to the Malaysian Bar in 2008, Dalilah has advised a multitude of clients, both local, regional and international financial institutions, financial advisers, private equity sponsors and corporate borrowers on a variety of finance issues both in conventional and Islamic transactions (on a bilateral, syndicated and club-lending basis), multi-facility loans, bridging loans, project financing and asset financing. Her experience also includes cross border financing, offshore lending and securitisation. Her practice canvasses advising on debt capital market instruments. She has handled hybrid and derivative products, capital raising exercises involving underwriting and issuance of private debt securities besides advising in the establishment of commercial papers, medium-term notes and Sukuk programmes.

Practice Area

Banking & Finance, Debt Capital Markets, Islamic Finance

Qualifications

L.L.B (Hons), University of Nottingham, UK
LL.M, University of Nottingham, UK.
Certificate of Legal Practice.
Advocate and Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya.

Recognition

Euromoney’s Expert Guide to the World’s Leading Banking & Finance and Transactional lawyers: Featured for Banking & Finance and Islamic Finance.
IFLR1000: The Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms: “Notable Practitioner” for Banking, Capital Markets, Islamic Finance and Project Finance.

Relevant Experience

Advised the joint principal advisers and joint lead arrangers in the Islamic medium-term note programme for issuance of Islamic medium-term notes combined with a medium-term note programme established by OSK I CM Sdn Bhd for a combined limit of up to RM1.8 billion in nominal value.
Advised the principal adviser and lead arranger in the RM118 million financing of the acquisition of 17 properties (comprising of KFC and Pizza Hut outlets) throughout Malaysia by Al-Salam REIT (through its trustee, Amanah Raya Trustees Berhad).
Advised the principal adviser and the joint lead arrangers in the issuance of Sukuk of up to RM245 million in nominal value by Sinar Kamiri Sdn Bhd under the Shariah principle of Wakalah Bi Al-Istithmar based on the Securities Commission's Sustainable and Responsible Investment Sukuk initiative to part finance the construction of a solar photovoltaic energy generating facility with a capacity of 49MWac in Perak.
Advised the principal adviser and lead arranger in the establishment of a multiple tranche medium-term notes programme for issuance of medium term notes of up to RM5 billion in nominal value established by IGB REIT Capital Sdn Bhd in connection with the injection of Mid Valley Megamall and The Gardens Mall into IGB REIT.
Advised a corporation, which was a wholly owned subsidiary of a Forbes Asia’s Fabulous 50 company and a leading global integrated oil and gas services and solutions provider,in a multi-currency Islamic medium term notes programme of up to RM7 billion in nominal value (or in USD equivalent), which was the first Sukuk lodged with the Malaysian Securities Commission under the Malaysian Guidelines on Unlisted Capital Market Products under the Lodge and Launch Framework 2015.

Murni Zuyati Binti Zulkifli Aziz
Banking & Finance,
Capital Markets, Islamic Finance

explore

Murni Zuyati Binti Zulkifli Aziz

Partner

General Line : +603 78903288 (ext 219)
Fax : +603 78903280

Profile

Admitted to the Malaysian Bar in 1999, Murni mainly focuses on debt capital market and corporate banking matters, in particular, corporate bonds and Sukuk as well as conventional, Shariah compliant and project financing.

Practice Area

Banking & Finance, Debt Capital Markets, Islamic Finance

Qualifications

LLB (Hons), King’s College London, University of London.
Certificate in Legal Practice.
Advocate and Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya.

Recognition

Murni is recognised as a highly regarded lawyer in Malaysia by IFLR 1000.

Relevant Experience

Murni has advised principal advisers and lead arrangers on the issuances of various Additional Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital securities as well as senior programmes undertaken by various financial institutions and insurance & takaful providers in Malaysia, both conventional as well as Sukuk. She has also acted for principal advisers and lead arrangers in respect of transactions involving special purpose vehicles wholly-owned by States in Malaysia and the first State-guaranteed Sukuk programme in Malaysia. Murni has also, on a few occasions, acted for the issuers, including acting for Petronas Dagangan Berhad on their 2013 RM2.0 billion Sukuk programme.
Murni has been involved in numerous cross border financing transactions where the financing structure involved parties (including offshore entities, foreign banks and Malaysia’s provident fund) and assets from various jurisdictions. Murni’s experience in project financing work includes the Sukuk financing for Phase 1 of Samalaju Port in Sarawak by Samalaju Industrial Port (as subsidiary of Bintulu Port Holdings), SPR Energy’s Islamic term financing for its 100 MW combined cycle gas power plant in Sabah, TNB Prai’s Sukuk financing for its 2 x 535.715MW combined cycle gas-fired power plant in Prai, Pulau Pinang, Jimah Energy Ventures’ Sukuk financing for its 1,400MW coal-fired power plant, Sukuk financing for MRCB Southern Link & MRCB Lingkaran Selatan (subsidiaries of MRCB) for the Eastern Dispersal Link expressway, Johor Bahru, as well as various Sukuk programmes during the early stages of projects by Projek Lebuhraya Utara-Selatan Berhad (PLUS) and companies related to it.
Advised Affin Hwang Investment Bank Berhad and Maybank Investment Bank Berhad as joint principal advisers and joint lead arrangers in relation to the establishment of a Sukuk Programme of up to RM2.0 billion in nominal value based on the Shariah principle of Wakalah Bi Al-Istithmar for the issuance(s) of Sukuk Wakalah by Johor Corporation and guaranteed by Johor State. This transaction is the first State-guaranteed Sukuk programme in Malaysia.
Advised Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad as principal adviser and lead arranger in relation to the establishment of Bank Islam’s own Additional Tier 1 RM5.0 billion in nominal value Sukuk programme based on the Shariah principle of Wakalah Bi Al-Istithmar.
Advised OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Berhad, United Overseas Bank (Malaysia) Bhd and Hong Leong Investment Bank Berhad as the joint principal advisers and joint lead arrangers in respect of Infracap Resources Sdn Bhd’s 2021 Sukuk Murabahah Programme of up to RM15.0 billion in nominal value, guaranteed by Infracap Development Holdings Sdn Bhd featuring an annex letter issued by the State Financial Secretary of Sarawak (for and on behalf of the State Government of Sarawak), addressed to the issuer and guarantor.
Advised Maybank Investment Bank Berhad as the principal adviser / lead arranger in relation to the establishment of a Sustainability Sukuk Wakalah Programme of up to RM5.0 billion in nominal value for the issuance(s) of senior Sustainability Sukuk Wakalah based on the Shariah principle of Wakalah Bi Al-Istithmar by MBSB Bank Berhad.

Nurbaiyah Mohamad Salleh
Corporate & Commercial,
Capital Markets

explore

Nurbaiyah Mohamad Salleh

Partner

General Line : +603 7890 3288
Fax : +603 7890 3266

Profile

Admitted to the Malaysian Bar in 2010, Nurbaiyah has experience advising local conglomerates on a range of corporate exercises including initial public offerings, mergers and acquisitions (involving public and private corporations), rights issue and take-overs, besides providing general advice on corporate governance and compliance.

Practice Area

Corporate & Commercial and Equity Capital Markets

Qualifications

LL.B (Hons), International Islamic University, Malaysia.
Advocate & Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya.

Relevant Experience

Advised Persangsang Dinamik Sdn Bhd (a wholly owned subsidiary of Kumpulan Perangsang Selangor Berhad) in the RM311.25 million cross-border acquisition of entire issued share capital of Toyoplas Manufacturing Malaysia Sdn Bhd from Toyoplas Consolidated Limited.
Advised FELDA Marketing Services Sdn Bhd, in the RM224.38 million disposal of its 16% equity interest in AXA AFFIN General Insurance Berhad to AXA Asia and AFFIN Bank Berhad.
Advised Perangsang Packaging Sdn Bhd (offeror) and Kumpulan Perangsang Selangor Berhad (ultimate offeror) in the RM195.5 million unconditional mandatory take-over of Century Bond Bhd.

Zarith Nabihah binti Zulfadzli
Corporate & Commercial and
Equity Capital Markets

explore

Zarith Nabihah binti Zulfadzli

Partner

General Line : +603 7890 3288
Fax : +603 7890 3266

Profile

Zarith is currently a Partner in the Corporate/Commercial department specialising in a wide range of equity capital market exercises as well as corporate and commercial work, which include amongst others, domestic and international initial public offerings, mergers and acquisitions (involving public and private corporations), disposals, take-overs, capital and/or corporate restructuring, and due diligence (for acquisition, compliance and transactional purposes).

Her achievements include guiding large global multinational companies with tailored advise, close monitoring of deliverables and legal compliances to ensure the smooth and timely effective completion of transactions.

Her achievements include guiding large global multinational companies with tailored advise, close monitoring of deliverables and legal compliances to ensure the smooth and timely effective completion of transactions.

Zarith is also well versed in drafting, reviewing and commenting on a variety of documents which include amongst others, prospectus, sale and purchase agreement, subscription and shareholders agreement, placement agreement, retail underwriting agreement, cornerstone agreement, non-confidentiality agreement, equity swap agreement and trust deed.

Practice Area

Corporate & Commercial and Equity Capital Markets

Qualifications

LLB(Hons), Universiti Teknologi Mara.
LLM, Queen Mary University of London.
Advocate and Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya.

Relevant Experience

In 2022: Advised Maybank Investment Bank Berhad, CIMB Investment Bank Berhad and AmInvestment Bank Berhad, being the underwriters for the listing of ITMAX System Berhad on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad. As at the listing date, ITMAX System Berhad’s market capitalisation was RM1.10 billion;
In 2022: Advised MR D.I.Y. Group (M) Berhad in relation to its bonus issue exercise of up to 3,144,186,250 new ordinary shares;
In 2021: Advised on the group restructuring exercise of BIMB Holdings Berhad and its group of companies, resulting in the transfer of listing status of BIMB Holdings Berhad to Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad, which includes placement of new shares in BIMB Holdings Berhad, payment to the warrantholders of BIMB Holdings Berhad pursuant to a scheme of arrangement, disposal by BIMB Holdings Berhad of its interests in its then subsidiaries to Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad, distribution-in-specie of the shareholdings of BIMB Holdings Berhad in its then subsidiaries, Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad and Syarikat Takaful Malaysia Keluarga Berhad by way of a reduction and repayment of the entire share capital of BIMB Holdings Berhad;
In 2020: Advised MR D.I.Y. Group (M) Berhad in conjunction with its listing on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad. As at the listing date, MR D.I.Y. Group (M) Berhad’s market capitalisation was RM10.0 billion;
In 2019: Advised KIP Real Estate Investment Trust on its acquisition of AEON Mall Kinta City Shopping Centre for a cash purchase consideration of RM208.0 million;
In 2018: Advised Malaysia Building Society Berhad on its merger with MBSB Bank Berhad (formerly known as Asian Finance Bank Berhad), in which Malaysia Building Society Berhad acquired 100% equity interest in MBSB Bank Berhad for a purchase consideration of approximately RM645 million, creating the 2nd largest stand-alone Islamic bank in Malaysia;
In 2018: Advised Far East Holdings Berhad in relation to its bonus issue exercise of 56,556,000 new ordinary shares and share split exercise; and
In 2017: Advised KIP Real Estate Investment Trust in conjunction with its listing on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad. The deal was the first investment trust launched in Malaysia with its portfolio focussed on hybrid community-centric retail centres.