Halim Hong & Quek

Halim is a Senior Partner based in our Johor Bahru branch and maintains a diverse practice in matters relating to corporate law and commercial transactions. With a track record of more than two decades in the legal practice, Halim has extensive experience in providing counsel on amongst others, joint venture arrangements, shareholders’ agreements, sale of shares in both private and public companies, sale of businesses, technology transfer and property development. Besides founders and investors of private corporations, Halim is also frequently sought by government investment arms, public listed companies as well as foreign companies for advice and representation in broad range of commercial matters. Halim brings to the table, strong negotiation skills and a sound litigation background which are duly complemented by his persistent determination to always deliver the highest quality of legal services, to all his clients.

Ankit’s focus area of practice is in construction law and he has handled significant assignments involving energy projects, engineering projects and infrastructure projects for both local and foreign clients. Ankit’s legal experience has enabled him to provide professional legal advice to his clients in respect of building and construction projects in Malaysia from its inception, right up to its completion. Ankit has conducted document review for clients, provided advice and drafted agreements for employers, developers, contractors, sub-contractors, vendors, purchasers and tenants on various aspects of commercial, retail and residential construction projects in Malaysia. Ankit also advises clients on the legal requirements that are to be complied with at the initial stages of planning and his range of advice includes procurement strategies, project risk management and claims and dispute management or avoidance. In the event formal dispute resolution becomes a necessity, Ankit has the experience to advice you on the appropriate dispute resolution forum. Ankit’s experience includes, mediation, adjudication, arbitration, litigation, expert determination and early neutral evaluation, amongst others. Ankit has represented a number of multi-national and GLC’s in Malaysia as lead counsel at all levels of the Malaysian Courts. He also often represents clients in adjudication and arbitration proceedings in respect of disputes that concern claims and/or payment issues, issues in respect of termination of contract, issues concerning delays, issues concerning performance bonds, issues concerning defects rectification and issues in regard to liquidated damages, amongst others.

With 22 years of practising in the area of real estate and project development, Chong is regularly engaged by major developers, corporate clients and financial institutions for advice and representation in matters relating to real estate and property financing. Chong has vast experience in advising and representing major property developers in the sale and purchase transactions of mixed developments, landed stratified developments, guarded neighbourhood projects, as well as commercial/industrial developments with freehold and leasehold titles. Chong does also advise foreigners on legal matters relating to property purchases in Malaysia, as well as real estate taxes. Aside from frequently advising property developers and purchasers on conveyancing matters and homeownership schemes, Chong has represented several corporate bodies in the purchase of large estates and industrial land and the sale and purchase of office buildings. Chong is also regularly sought for advice in matters relating to tenancy and strata management, whereby she has broad experience of providing advice on matters relating to the management of commercial developments, formation of management corporations and many other related issues. On top of that, Chong is entrusted by Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association Malaysia (REHDA) as one of the task force committee members to discuss with respective stakeholders on the proposed amendments to Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Act 1966, Strata Management Act 2013 and proposed Commercial Residence Act. In the area of Banking & Finance, Chong has advised and represented major local and foreign banks in the completion of financing facilities for corporate bodies, structuring and finalisation of cross border loans, conventional and Islamic property financing, and facilitation of refinancing arrangements. Besides efficiently heading the firm’s Real Estate Department, Chong is the incumbent Deputy Head of its Risk Management Committee and heads the Learning & Development Team, through which she organises and provides various training sessions to empower and update our clients on the latest laws relating to the real estate industry.

Chuah heads our Pulau Pinang branch and has 13 years of vast experience in the areas of real estate and project development, and banking and finance. Chuah’s clientele is a mix of individuals and property developers, who regularly seek his advice on the sale and purchase of properties in mixed commercial and residential development projects. He is also regularly sought by major developers and financial institutions for advice and representation in matters relating to property financing, corporate financing, and Islamic banking. In the corporate sphere, Chuah has experience of providing advice on property acquisition and disposal, commercial leasing, joint venture arrangements, as well as the drafting of agreements on shareholding, partnership, consultancy, construction, supply, and settlement. Chuah has also provided representations to individuals and corporations on trust and succession matters.

Desmond is a partner based in HHQ Kuala Lumpur. With more than 9 years of Malaysian taxation experience, including 4 years as a tax consultant at a Big Four audit firm, Desmond has been recognized as one of the key tax lawyers in Malaysia by Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2022 & 2023. His practice focuses on all aspects of tax law. He has regularly represented taxpayers in tax disputes and rendered tax advice for MNCs, SMEs, and high net worth individuals. Desmond has been entrusted with high-value corporate transactions, where he exercises and render advice on direct and indirect tax issues arising from restructuring, cross-border transactions, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory compliance, employment, real estate, technology, media and telecom, intellectual property as well as insurance matters. Apart from tax advisory and planning, Desmond is well-versed in facilitating and handling tax audits and investigations, dispute resolution proceedings with the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia, roundtable discussions with the Royal Malaysian Customs Department as well as disputes with the Stamp Office. Desmond also acts for taxpayers from various industries in tax litigations at all tiers of the Malaysian Courts, Special Commissioners of Income Tax and Customs Appeal Tribunal. He graduated with First Class Honours from both University of London and Universiti Tun Abdul Razak with Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Taxation. Desmond is an active committee member of National Young Lawyers and Pupils Committee at the Bar Council and an associate member of the Chartered Tax Institute of Malaysia.

Hong is a Senior Partner based in our Johor Bahru branch, which is primarily experienced in handling general litigation matters involving land, contractual and corporate disputes. For more than 20 years, Hong has been advising corporate clients and financial institutions on various simple to complex issues relating to land, disputes/litigation, and regulatory compliance. He regularly appears as a lead counsel in trials and has successfully brought appeals to superior courts on land disputes, land acquisitions, contractual and commercial disputes, industrial relations disputes, construction and building disputes. Hong’s long track record of comprehensively handling contentious matters and appearing at all levels of Malaysian Courts, has built him as a seasoned counsel, whose immense knowledge and litigation acumen is duly matched by his high standards of professionalism.

Ong Johnson heads the Technology Group, concentrating his expertise on high-stakes and complex litigation and transactional cases spanning Technology, Media, and Telecommunications (TMT), Intellectual Property (IP), Privacy, Fintech, and Digital Transformation Infrastructure and Projects. Ong Johnson is distinguished by an exceptional wealth of experience, adeptly navigating high-profile roles advising directors, board members, C-suite executives, and senior management within public-listed companies and conglomerates. His extensive professional repertoire extends beyond corporate spheres, involving regular interactions with government representatives, investors, and high-ranking government officers. This broad exposure equips him with a profound understanding of business imperatives, allowing him to deliver highly pragmatic legal solutions aligned with clients' broader objectives, ensuring a nuanced and comprehensive approach to addressing a spectrum of complex needs. Ong Johnson has extensive experience conducting trials and hearings at all levels of court in Malaysia, positioning him as a dispute resolution strategist and a highly sought-after litigator within the industry, given his innovative thinking and meticulous approach to developing strategies that transcend conventional boundaries. His reputation as a thought leader in the legal realm is also underscored by his frequent invitations as a panel speaker to various forums and roundtable discussions. His expertise is not only recognized within legal circles but extends to broader industry discussions, solidifying his status as a prominent figure in the field of dispute resolution and strategic legal thinking. In addition to his core areas of expertise, Ong Johnson boasts industrial proficiency in property development, real estate, and property investment. His insight spans hotels and data centers, smart cities, ESG, renewable energy, software development, data privacy, telecommunications and digital infrastructure, blockchain and digital assets, fintech, competition law, software commercialization and acquisition, digital media, licensing, e-money, payment systems, and regulatory and compliance. His diverse knowledge base further establishes him as a comprehensive authority in navigating the complex landscape of modern business and technology. His dedication to the legal profession has garnered significant recognition, exemplified by several prestigious awards and accolades. These include being featured in the GC Powerlist Malaysia 2023 and GC Powerlist Southeast Asia 2022. Noteworthy nominations as a finalist were achieved at the ALB Malaysia Law Awards 2019, ALB Malaysia Law Awards 2020, ALB South East Asia Law Awards 2020, ALB Malaysia Law Awards 2023, and ALB South East Asia Law Awards 2023, and Ong Johnson is one of the youngest lawyers in history to be awarded as the winner of the ALB Malaysia Law Awards 2021. Ong Johnson, in addition to his extensive legal expertise, is also a distinguished scholar. He graduated from the University of Liverpool with First Class honors, showcasing his commitment to academic excellence. His academic achievements have been further recognized through multiple scholarships and accolades, and he is a recipient of the University of Liverpool Scholarship, Liverpool Direct Entry Award, BAC Scholarship Award, Dean List Award, and Merit Award for Outstanding Scholastic Achievement.

Jus Tine Lim is one of our partners from Real Estate and Banking Department of Kuala Lumpur branch who advises and represents a variety of property developers and individuals in a full range of conveyancing matters. From the very initial stage of project development, she provides valuable guidance to developers on matters in relation to the development of master plans, submission, and amendments of parcel/to building plans and peruses architect’s drawings and specifications. Prior to the sale of parcels, Miss Jus Tine also provides her professional advises on the best strata strategy to the developers. Being well versed in strata laws, Jus Tine is regularly sought by property developers and management bodies on matters relating to strata management. In the area of banking and finance, she regularly advises financial institutions in property financing including the drawdown and perfection of loan documentations for both conventional and Islamic financing facilities. Jus Tine is also being entrusted by Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association Malaysia (REHDA) for her valuable professional opinions on issues in relation to property development and strata management and has also been involved in the discussion with the special task force committee along with other stakeholders on the proposed amendments to our current laws in relation to the property development field.

Khai Yi’s passion for technology has helped him built an expertise in the dynamic and complex fields of intellectual property, technology, media and telecommunications. In the current landscape where digitisation and digitalisation are the trend, Khai Yi has placed himself strategically in a position where his skillsets and understanding of the evolving industries are able to be put to good use to benefit his clienteles. Having dedicated himself in the fields of IP and TMT, Khai Yi’s comprehensive knowledge and experience encompass a wide spectrum of issues, including 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. Owing to his legal acumen, effective communication skills and dedication to building strong client relationships, Khai Yi is 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. Clients benefit from Khai Yi’s strategic approach to legal challenges, combining a deep understanding of the law with a keen awareness of the rapidly changing technology landscape. Due to his outspoken nature and vast experience in the technology industry, Khai Yi is no stranger to speaking engagements and providing external legal trainings. Most prominently, Khai Yi was invited to give a keynote speech during the 2023 Asia LegalTech Leaders Summit and to be a speaker for a fireside chat concerning impact of artificial intelligence to the legal industry. Khai Yi was also invited several times to address the startups that are part of the National Technology and Innovation Sandbox ecosystem.  

Khye Yen is a Partner based at our Pulau Pinang office. Her legal practice mainly consists of advising and representing property developers in a full range of transactions in the sphere of real estate and project development. She primarily assists property developers in completing sale transactions for various residential and mixed development projects. Individuals regularly seek her assistance for sub-sale matters including perfection of transfer for purchase of properties. In the area of banking and finance, Khye Yen regularly advises financial institutions in property financing including drawdown and perfection of securities for both conventional and Islamic financing facilities. Khye Yen also provides advisory and legal support to individuals seeking to execute wills as well as general matters pertaining to estate and trust.

Leon’s areas of practice encompass real estate, corporate, commercial, and mergers & acquisitions. He is recognised as a key lawyer in Real Estate and Construction by The Legal 500, Asia Pacific 2023 edition, and is experienced in handling variety of real estate transactions such as land acquisitions, joint ventures, distressed assets, rental or lease schemes, special development areas, strata management, and extends to advising financial institutions on real estate related financing. Leon’s experience with corporate and commercial matters extends to representing and advising clients on mergers & acquisitions, due diligence, corporate and commercial advisory in trade and technology industry.

Li Fei is well versed with Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Act 1966, Strata Management Act 2013 and Strata Titles Act 1985. She has been actively involved in advising developers from the initial stage of project development to post delivery of vacant possession which ranges from submission and amendments of schedule of parcel, amendments of building plans, up to formation of joint management body and management corporation. For her vast knowledge in housing laws, Li Fei is regularly invited by developers to provide talks on updates and current issues on housing development and strata management. Li Fei is also the pioneer in holding virtual and physical annual general meeting for developers and joint management body. She has also involved herself in drafting corporate agreements and corporate exercise including due diligence for companies and assets. In the banking and finance practice, Li Fei advises financial institutions on compliance matters and drawdown of financing facilities including housing and corporate loans.

Man Chan’s practice mainly revolves around corporate litigation, and critical matters such as liquidation and restructuring, debt recovery, insolvency and employment disputes. Over the years, Man Chan has acquired vast knowledge and experience in these areas of practice and has advised and represented various prominent institutional and individual clients, both foreign and local, in all levels of Malaysian Courts. For non-contentious matters, Man Chan regularly provide advisory on regulatory and corporate compliance to SMEs from various sectors, amongst others being - retail, property development and management, manufacturing, logistics, mining and agriculture.

Noelle’s areas of practice include real estate matters, banking and finance, and commercial agreements. She advises and represents various individuals and corporations in acquisitions and disposal of properties including residential and commercial properties, refinancing, joint venture arrangements as well as tenancies. In the area of banking and finance, she regularly advises financial institutions in property and business financings, handles legal documentations, compliance and drawdown of financing facilities for both conventional and Islamic financing facilities.

Dato’ Quek is an experienced legal practitioner whose main areas of practice ranges from matters relating to corporate and commercial, to cross border investments and property and township developments. He is regularly sought by major developers, multi-national companies and financial institutions for legal advice and representation. He has represented major developers and completed sale and purchase transactions and loan documentations for urban and township developments, and several mixed commercial and residential developments. He also advises financial institutions on all matters pertaining to financing transactions, from preparation to completion of loan documentations of corporate financing, Islamic financing, commercial facilities and property financing and refinancing arrangements. Dato Quek is regularly consulted by multi-national companies for advice in strategizing their investment plans as well as drafting and reviewing agreements and contracts used in cross borders investments. He is also regularly consulted by local and regional business councils and organisations for consultations on their respective agreements. A highly strong-willed advocate, Dato’ Quek has in the recent years brought an appeal to the English Courts and the European Courts of Human Rights (ECtHR) in order to seek justice for the unlawful killings of the victims in the Batang Kali Massacre (Dec 1948) by the previous British government in Malaya. For his vast experience in the Malaysia-China economic cooperation, Dato’ Quek is frequently consulted by body corporates and various organisations for legal advice. Most prominently, Dato’ Quek has spoken at several key international and local conferences on current issues pertaining to Belt & Road Initiative.

Thoo is a Senior Partner based in our Kuala Lumpur branch, who maintains active practice in the area of dispute resolution. He is a seasoned litigation lawyer who is actively engaged for simple to complex triable and appellate matters and regularly appears at all levels of the Malaysian Courts and as counsel in various briefs. With his vast experience in Malaysia civil litigation, he has been providing foreign expert opinions on Malaysia law to foreign competent court of jurisdiction and arbitration forum Thoo routinely advises individuals and body corporates in a wide area of disputes including banking and hire purchase matters, commercial/corporate dispute, companies’ directors and shareholders’ dispute/tussle including minority oppression, debt recovery, injunction matters, employment and industrial relations, contractual disputes, family matters, constitutional issues, tort, defamation, and public interest litigations. Thoo’s area of practice also encompasses trustee dispute, personal injury claims and property or land related claims. Besides heading the Dispute Resolution Department of Halim Hong & Quek, Thoo is also currently sits in Risk Management Committee and was the Anti-Money Laundering (AMLA) first appointed Compliance Officer of the firm.

Yoke Wah is a Partner based in our Kuala Lumpur branch and appointed as the Head of Risk Management Committee and Anti-Money Laundering (AMLA) Compliance Officer of the firm. Multinational companies and corporations regularly seek her advice and representation in the sale and purchase transactions for all types of properties ranging from commercial, industrial, building, factory, agricultural to residential. She frequently advises major developers in the drafting and negotiation of commercial leasing and tenancies. Besides representing corporate clients, in large banking and commercial transactions, whereby she drafts, reviews, negotiates and comments on the transaction documents, Yoke Wah has vast experience of representing local and international financial institutions on assets and acquisition financing, rent to own as well as project financing for both domestic and cross border transactions.