Alumni Editor

Building on the Foundation Following the introduction of the New Investment Incentive discussed in PART 1 of this article, this section explores the complementary Expansion Incentive. This incentive targets Malaysia Digital (“MD”) and Multimedia Super Corridor Malaysia (“MSC) (now rebranded as MD) Status companies seeking to scale their operations or undertake new digital activities in …

Part 2: Malaysia Digital Status – What are the New Tax Incentives? Read More »

Introduction Malaysia continues to forge ahead in its digital transformation journey, and a key initiative driving this progress is the Malaysia Digital (“MD”) Status. Awarded by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (“MDEC”), the government’s leading agency for steering the digital economy, this status is a recognition for companies significantly contributing to the nation’s digital objectives …

Part 1: Malaysia Digital Status – What are the New Tax Incentives? Read More »

Faraid, derived from the Arabic word faridah meaning “fixed portion”, refers to the divinely prescribed system of inheritance distribution in Islam. Its principles are explicitly set out in the Qur’an, particularly in Surah An-Nisa, verses 11, 12, and 176. Among them: “Allah commands you concerning your children: for the male, what is equal to the …

Why Faraid Matters: Strategic Legacy Planning for Malaysia’s UHNWI Read More »

The global narrative surrounding Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing is under siege. Once heralded as a revolutionary approach to aligning capital with sustainability, ESG is now facing political hostility, economic uncertainty, and ideological skepticism. In the United States, the administration of President Donald Trump has branded ESG as “woke,” framing it as a distraction …

Is ESG Dead? Malaysia’s Resilience in a Global Storm Read More »

Buckle up for a transformative move in Malaysia’s climate strategy! The Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (“CCUS”) Bill 2025, swiftly passed by the Dewan Rakyat on March 6, 2025, and the Dewan Negara on March 25, 2025, is ready to ignite a low-carbon revolution. Awaiting gazettement, this trailblazing legislation is poised to slash emissions, turbocharge …

Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage Bill 2025: A Bold Step Toward a Cleaner, Greener Future for Malaysia Read More »

Introduction The Data Sharing Act 2025 (“DSA 2025”) came into effect on 28 April 2025, following its Royal Assent on 5 February 2025 and publication in the Gazette on 20 February 2025. DSA 2025 is a new legislation which introduces a formal framework to govern the sharing of data within the control of a public …

Overview on the Data Sharing Act 2025 Read More »

Introduction Intercontinental Submarine Cables, or subsea cables are a vast network of undersea cables which form the internet’s backbone, handling nearly all global data transmission and enabling seamless, real-time communication which drives our interconnected world. Responsible for 95% of the world’s data transfer,1 subsea cables are designed for minimal latency and high capacity, meeting the …

International Legal Issues on Intercontinental Submarine Communications Cables (Malaysia & the United States) Read More »

Introduction Malaysia has seen a consistent and regular advancement in its ESG reporting requirements throughout the last few years. The Ministry of International Trade and Investment (“MITI”) has played its role by developing the i-ESGStart as a guide for manufacturing entities; Bursa Malaysia has developed various guides and toolkits on both ESG and sustainability reporting; …

An Overview of ESG in Malaysia in 2025 Read More »

Introduction In this era, research and development (“R&D”) is crucial in maintaining competitiveness in the global marketplace. Companies that conduct/invest in R&D are better positioned to adapt to changing market demands and to develop innovative solutions. This article is written to provide readers with some understanding on R&D as well as the common agreements related …

Understanding Research and Development (R&D) and R&D Related Agreements Read More »

Introduction The Inland Revenue Board (IRB) of Malaysia has introduced a structured framework requiring high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) to submit their own net-worth analysis. This initiative aims to enhance tax compliance, improve transparency, and ensure that self-declared income aligns with actual wealth accumulation. The framework is in line with Malaysia’s broader tax enforcement strategies, as highlighted …

Inland Revenue Board’s Push for Net-Worth Transparency among Malaysia’s Richest Read More »

Introduction Climate change is possibly a matter of utmost importance affecting humanity in today’s world. Its impact has escalated to the point that it has significantly disrupted not just the ecosystems, weather conditions, and human’s well-being, but also economists’ way of thinking. To address the issue at hand, most governments and big corporations are encouraged …

Initiatives and Incentives of Green Sukuk in Malaysia Read More »

Introduction In this article, the authors discuss some of the key legal considerations and project agreements related to renewable energy projects in Malaysia. Renewable energy can be generated from a diverse range of sources such as solar, hydropower, wind, wave, tidal, biogas, and biomass. In Malaysia, renewable energy falls under the purview of several government …

Key Legal Considerations in the Development of Renewable Energy Project Read More »

Introduction In today’s rapidly evolving world, businesses are no longer judged solely by their profits. Increasingly, investors, consumers and stakeholders are looking at how companies manage their environmental impact, social responsibility, and governance practices. This shift in focus has given rise to the concept of “ESG” — Environmental, Social and Governance criteria — shaping how …

The Intersection of ESG and Islamic Banking Principles Read More »

Introduction In most emerging markets, the banking and financing sectors play a critical role in driving the economy. In Malaysia, despite the growing significance of the domestic capital market, the banking and financing sectors remain the predominant sources of investment in our financial system. As this system evolves, it continues to offer increasingly innovative financial …

Practical Issues in Cross-Border Lending Transaction Read More »

Introduction As the deadline for the first half of 2025 Assessment Tax approaches, have you ever wondered what might happen if property-related taxes such as Assessment Tax and Quit rent, remain unpaid? In Malaysia, Quit Rent (Cukai Tanah) and Assessment Tax (Cukai Taksiran) are both extremely vital tax systems for anyone who owns a property …

Non-Payment of Quit Rent and Assessment – What Will Happen to Your Property? Read More »

A festive Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration turned into a catastrophe for residents of Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, when a gas pipeline explosion rocked the neighborhood on the second day of the festivities (1st April 2025). A deafening blast sent a towering fireball into the sky, forming a mushroom-like cloud before evolving into a raging inferno. …

Putra Heights Natural Gas Explosion, Who is Liable for Compensation?: The Victim’s POV Read More »

Introduction Maritime commerce is a cornerstone of the global economy, driving international trade and connecting nations. Parties involved will have different contracts between transnational parties and these contracts will have dispute resolution clauses. Maritime arbitration has emerged as a preferred choice for parties engaged in international maritime contracts due to its neutrality, expertise, and enforceability …

Maritime Arbitration Read More »

Employees are an important asset to companies and thus, making them feel valued is imperative to enhance employee retention efforts. There are a plethora of employee benefit mechanisms adopted by employers to reward their employees for their hard work ranging from monetary compensations such as bonuses to non-monetary compensations such as healthcare benefits. Another attractive …

The Tax Treatment of Local and Foreign Employee Share Option Schemes in Malaysia Read More »

Captive insurance, while dating back to the 1950s, has enjoyed increasing popularity in recent decades. Basically, a captive insurance is wholly owned and controlled by those it insures. Its primary purpose is to insure the risks of its owners. Because the owners are also the insureds, they are able to exert much greater control, especially …

Labuan: A Leading Domicile for Captive Insurance Read More »

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a hit on all of Malaysia’s industrial players in every sector, with exception of one – glove manufacturers. For reasons of health and safety, a booming worldwide demand sees a global shortage of gloves. It is a rare occurrence that a Malaysian manufactured commodity has attracted such a high demand …

Structuring the Purchase of Rubber Gloves from Malaysia: Avoiding Risks During the Pandemic Read More »