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

Our legal team put Mercedes-Benz Credit Card on the market, the first of its kind within the automotive financial sector. This was a label program underwritten by Maybank. We also launched an extended warranty program for Mercedes Vehicles. Finally, our team established a contract management and approval process within the local entity. Consequently, contracts can be approved even via email on company mobiles.

Could you share an example of a time when you came up with an innovation that improved how your legal team works and did not come at a large expense?

We recently established a contract approval and management process. For this, we used the current IT platform and created a workflow similar to other processes within the organisation to save costs and streamline processes.

What are some of your main tips for dealing with a crisis?

Firstly, risk assessment plays an especially important in crisis management from the initial stages. Furthermore, there is no such thing as overcommunicating; it is therefore vital to get the right people or senior management together for quick updates and fast decision making.

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

As we face regulatory changes and more governance and ESG topics, general counsel will be treated as risk managers and strategist. They will increasingly play a centre stage role in their organisations and management teams. To successfully face challenges, the presence of the general counsel on every board should be compulsory.