Halim Hong & Quek

• Technology, Media and Telecommunications ("TMT") • Fintech • TMT Disputes • TMT Competition, Regulatory and Compliance

Partner

Head of Technology Practice Group

Ong Johnson is the Head of the Technology Practice Group, specialising in TMT (Technology, Media, and Telecommunications) law. He has deep and diverse experience in helping boards and executive teams navigate rapidly evolving technology regulatory and compliance issues involving AI, digital assets, Real-World Asset (RWA) tokenization, fintech, cybersecurity, privacy, and competition law.

A true technology lawyer, Ong Johnson has developed profound expertise in the digital asset space, specifically within the Fintech industry. His unique blend of knowledge in both the technology and financial sectors grants him specific expertise to advise on complex matters such as Fintech, blockchain, stablecoins, digital assets, token modelling, smart contracts, decentralised finance (DeFi), RWA tokenization, and other emerging payment mechanisms.

He advises clients through regulatory sandboxes, digital banking licences, e-money licences, remittance licences, and other Fintech-related matters. His involvement in the first-ever global RWA tokenization of electric vehicle (EV) loyalty points in Malaysia exemplifies his pioneering role in the industry. His expertise in Fintech extends to a variety of RWA tokenization and digital asset projects, including stablecoin issuance, digital asset custodian services, tokenization of deposit funds, crypto tracing and recovery, and other digital asset initiatives. He is adept at providing comprehensive counsel on tokenomics, whitepapers, smart contracts, DeFi, and the integration of real-world assets into digital assets.

Ong Johnson is widely recognized as a thought leader in the TMT and Fintech sectors, frequently invited to speak at national forums, conferences, and roundtable discussions on a diverse range of technology law topics, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, personal data protection, DeFi, licensing for Internet Messaging and Social Media Services, data centers, and more. His status as the go-to lawyer in Fintech is further reinforced by his Technology Practice Group’s numerous accolades, including the Fintech Law Firm of the Year at the ALB Malaysia Law Awards and recognition as the leading Fintech and TMT Law Firm by the Asia Business Law Journal.

Beyond his recognition in Fintech, Ong Johnson is an experienced litigator in TMT disputes, with extensive experience conducting trials and hearings at all levels of the Malaysian judiciary. His deep understanding and familiarity with technology law, coupled with his strength in commercial and strategic thinking, make him a sought-after litigator within the TMT industry. As TMT disputes grow in prominence with the increasing complexity of technology contracts, Ong Johnson and his team pride themselves on being one of the few law firms in Malaysia specialising in this niche TMT area. Given the convergence of TMT and Fintech, Ong Johnson also provides expert advice on TMT competition, regulatory, and compliance matters. With the rapid expansion of the technology industry, antitrust, competition, and other regulatory issues have become increasingly significant. He provides legal guidance on competition law, as well as advice on regulatory and compliance matters relating to the Competition Act 2010, Personal Data Protection Act 2010, and Cyber Security Act 2024.

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 and GC Powerlist Southeast Asia. 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. Ong Johnson is also one of the youngest lawyers in history to be awarded the ALB Malaysia Law Awards 2021.

English, Malay, Chinese

Advocate and Solicitor, High Court of Malaya Bachelor of Laws (LLB), University of Liverpool, First Class Honours