Firms Of The Year Results 2022 Malaysia

April 19, 2023
In-House Community Firms of the Year 2022 – Top Law Firms in Malaysia Winners in ⭐bold Honourable mentions in italics Alternative Investment Funds (Including Private Equity)   ⭐ Christopher & Lee Ong ⭐ Wong & Partners Capital Markets   ⭐ Azmi & Associates ⭐ Adnan Sundra & Low ⭐ Chooi & Company and Cheang & Arif ⭐ Zul Rafique & Partners Albar & Partners Rosli Dahlan Saravana Partnership Employment   ⭐ Zul Rafique & Partners ⭐ Lee Hishamuddin Allen & Gledhill ⭐ Shearn Delamore & Co Skrine Azmi & Associates Antitrust/ Competition   ⭐ Lee Hishamuddin Allen & Gledhill ⭐ Christopher & Lee Ong ⭐ Raja, Darryl & Loh Shearn Delamore & Co Rahmat Lim & Partners Compliance And Regulatory   ⭐ Wong & Partners ⭐ Christopher & Lee Ong ⭐ Shearn Delamore & Co. ⭐ Raja, Darryl & Loh Shook Lin & Bok Energy & Natural Resources   ⭐ Christopher & Lee Ong ⭐ Adnan Sundra & Low ⭐ Rahmat Lim & Partners Shearn Delamore & Co Skrine Banking And Finance   ⭐ Adnan Sundra & Low ⭐ Albar & Partners ⭐ Azmi & Associates ⭐ Zaid Ibrahim & Co (in association with KPMG Law) MahWengKwai & Associates Shearn Delamore & Co Corporate And M&A   ⭐ Wong & Partners ⭐ Christopher & Lee Ong ⭐ Azmi & Associates ⭐ Adnan Sundra & Low Adnan Sundra & Low Chooi & Company and Cheang & Arif Kadir Andri & Partners Intellectual Property   ⭐ Wong & Partners ⭐ Gan Partnership ⭐ LindaWang Su & Boo (a member of ZICO IP) Raja, Darryl & Low LAW Partnership International Arbitration   ⭐ Shearn Delamore ⭐ Herbert Smith Freehills Ooi & Ooi Mohanadass Partnership Islamic Finance   ⭐ Zul Rafique & Partners ⭐ Adnan Sundra & Low ⭐ Albar & Partners Lee Hishmuddin Allen & Gledhill Zaid Ibrahim...

A Snapshot of Recent Developments in Intellectual Property in Southeast Asia

March 22, 2023
Southeast Asia’s economies have largely remained resilient in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, as the region resumes economic activities at full throttle, the countries in Southeast Asia are primed for growth. Southeast Asia is the focal point in two of the largest free trade agreements in recent years. All ten countries in Southeast Asia are members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Further, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam are also signatories to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Reflecting the region’s growing importance as a hub for innovation and creativity and in line with obligations under RCEP and CPTPP, Intellectual Property (IP) laws in Southeast Asia have been undergoing rapid development in recent times. The following is a brief overview of the latest developments in IP laws in some of the countries in the region. Malaysia Malaysia has long been recognised as one of the leading economies in Southeast Asia, and its IP laws have been evolving rapidly to keep pace with its growing importance. A number of amendments were made to the Patents Act which, amongst others, introduced 3rd party observations, post-grant opposition, recordation of patent as a security interest, amongst others. However, the coming into force of post-grant opposition has been deferred. The amendments also introduced compulsory licencing provisions where a compulsory license can be granted by the Registrar for the production and exportation of the pharmaceutical product to an eligible importing country to deal with its public health problem, in line with the obligations under Article 31bis of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement). Amongst the notable amendments...

The Use of Hydrogen in the Energy System in Malaysia and the Relevant Laws and Regulations

March 9, 2023
With the global concern on Climate Change and the need to reduce the use of fossil fuels such as oil and gas as the source of energy because of its negative impact towards the environment, there is a need to move towards renewable energies and more environmentally friendly fuels. One form of energy which is being advocated is Hydrogen. Based on the source and production process, Hydrogen is commonly classified today in three categories – Grey Hydrogen, Blue Hydrogen and Green Hydrogen. Grey Hydrogen is sourced from natural gas and is produced by a method called steam methane reforming which emits large amounts of carbon dioxide. Blue Hydrogen is produced the same way as Grey Hydrogen but the carbon dioxide is captured and stored under the Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (“CCUS”) methodology. Lastly, Green Hydrogen is produced by the electrolysis of water which splits water molecules into oxygen and Hydrogen using renewable energy such as solar energy, wind energy and hydroelectric energy1. Hydrogen in Malaysia  In 2001, Malaysia identified Hydrogen fuel cells as a priority research area and R&D funds were allocated. A Hydrogen road map was formulated in 2006 and a blueprint for fuel cell industries in Malaysia was published in 20172. PETRONAS has conducted studies with academic institutions on the production of Hydrogen from biomass waste3 and from water through electrolysis which resulted in the development of the PETRONAS Advanced Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Electrolyser4. PETRONAS has also collaborated with commercial entities such as ENEOS Corporation (ENEOS) on Hydrogen production and its transportation in methylcyclohexane (MCH) form and IHI Corporation and TNB Genko on Hydrogen and Ammonia...

Circular Economy in Malaysia

March 9, 2023
Circular Economy And How It Works  Circular economy (‘CE’) is one of the solutions to climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution.1 It is a resilient system that is good for business, the environment and mankind as it decouples economic activity from the consumption of finite resources.2 CE is based on three principles, eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials and regenerate nature.3 Similar to recycling, the CE also has its cycles to achieve the three principles. There are two main cycles, the technical cycle, and the biological cycle.4 The technical cycle is when products are kept in circulation in the economy by way of reuse, repair, remanufacture and recycling.5 Biological cycle is when the nutrients from biodegradable materials are returned to Earth through composting or anaerobic digestion.6 In short, CE is recycling so no materials go to waste. The Need For Circular Economy The concept of CE speaks for itself. With the rapid growth in popularity and increased demand for raw materials, there is an urgent need to prevent further damage to the planet and ultimately aim to restore our planet. Additionally, with finite supplies means that countries are dependent on others in the importation of raw materials.7 Focusing on the live and pressing issue in Malaysia, ever since China banned plastic imports at the start of 2018, Malaysia has become the world’s top destination for global plastic waste for recycling.8 Additionally, there is also the bulk stems from domestic consumption of single-use plastics.9 In fact, Malaysia is one of the fastest-growing and developing countries even with the impact caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.10 Naturally, such rapid development of manufacturing industries will cause pollution and...

In-House Insights with Dr Vincent Ng of AEON

September 21, 2022
On working with passion and prioritising balance PLEASE CAN YOU GIVE US A LITTLE BACKGROUND INTO THE BUSINESS OF AEON CO. (M) BHD. IN MALAYSIA? AEON Co. (M) Bhd. (“AEON”) is a part of the AEON group of companies in Malaysia which is owned by its parent company, AEON Co. Ltd., based in Japan. AEON was set up on 15 September 1984, in response to the Malaysian Government‘s invitation to help modernise the country’s retail industry. AEON currently manages and operates 28 AEON malls, a retail chain of 34 AEON departmental stores, 9 AEON Maxvalu Prime supermarkets, 65 AEON Wellness pharmacies and 41 Daiso flat-price outlets with an extensive range of products such as daily essentials, household items, apparel, pharmaceuticals, flat-price items and other merchandise. AEON also offers Personal Shopper Services, DriveThru Services and Delivery Services via its myAEON2go e-commerce platform for fast, efficient and minimal contact shopping for its customers. In line with AEON’s “Customer First” policy, we endeavour to surpass our customers’ expectations and enhance their shopping experience with us. NOW, ON TO YOUR BACKGROUND – WHAT WERE YOUR STEPPING STONES TO REACHING THE POSITION OF HEAD OF LEGAL AT AEON, AND WHAT HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE IN THIS ROLE BEEN LIKE THUS FAR? I was admitted as an Advocate & Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya in 1994. I hold a Bachelor and Master of Laws degree and obtained my Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in 2016. I was a practicing lawyer before joining AEON as the Legal Manager in 2000. From my accumulation of legal and retail experiences at AEON, I was entrusted the current...