What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?

The list of activities and transactions in a young organisation such as airasia Superapp is infinite. Today, the airasia Super App is a one-stop travel, e-commerce and fin-tech platform offering consumers over 15 lines of products and services. Powered by data and technology, we leverage on our digital ecosystem of 51 million users and 40 million downloads to generate personalised and seamless consumer experience in the digital era.

The legal team have had the privilege of being involved in establishing a clear blueprint for airasia Superapp to operate as an online travel agent (OTA) in multiple jurisdictions including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, China and the emerging markets. The wide arrays of transactions completed include incorporation of entities, licensing, M&A and commercial negotiations with established partners and merchants.

Throughout this crucial growth period, the Legal Team remain steadfast in supporting the business to further fortify airasia Superapp’s position as a leading OTA in the region and thus far, have successfully secured over 700 airlines, with 70 direct airline partners and over 900,000 hotels worldwide on the platform, providing users with the best value to fulfil their travel experience.

How do you see the general counsel role evolving in Malaysia over the next five-ten years?

Whilst the essence of contribution as a general counsel will always be grounded in law, the set of expectation and priorities would eventually evolve from merely providing technical legal expertise to contributing as a trusted strategic business partner. General counsels must be equipped with a robust mix of skill sets demonstrating the ability to bring more values to the C-suites and the board. The most important ones being broader commercial understanding of the business and a respectable degree of financial astuteness. In the age of digital transformation, one can only expect torrent of new technology that will change the way businesses operate. General counsels are required to remain nimble and adaptable to new developments, continuously develop the legal expertise and build collaborative relationships with multi-discipline stakeholders.

What are some of the main trends in the industry sector you work in, in Malaysia?

There is a constant debate over the challenges that come with Big Data. Issues such as data ownership and security, regulatory compliance and privacy are amongst those faced by a technology centric business such as airasia Superapp. We are always cognisant that the management of Big Data must always be accompanied with valid legal and ethical framework, coupled with a delicate balance between its value to the business and overarching public interest.