Noted for its ‘very direct and focused approach towards issues’, the projects and energy practice at Christopher & Lee Ong is led by Christopher Lee, who has expertise in banking and finance, M&A and infrastructure, all of which he readily applies to the transactions on which he advises. The team’s workload includes advising on land-use rights, power purchases and cross-border exports of energy. It notably works on matters at the forefront of the sector, including advising on the 5G rollout in Malaysia. It frequently supports on energy projects from inception to completion. Lim Siaw Wan is a key practitioner in the team, vastly experienced in handling high-value energy deals for the team’s client portfolio. The ‘innovative and practical’ Chor Jack, who has a particular focus on complex renewables projects, is another key contact in the group. Eileen Yeoh departed to an in-house role in 2022.

Experienced in advising on the full-cycle of financed projects, Steven SY Tee heads up the projects and energy practice at Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill, which is highly regarded for its provision of ‘strategic and specific advice’ in complex matters. Its projects advisory work covers the inception, development and construction of large-scale and high-value projects for clients across various sectors, including construction, manufacturing, oil and gas, and renewables. The team also has experience acting as counsel in project dispute management and the negotiation of settlement agreements therein. The ‘capable, dedicated and reliable’ Crystal Wong Wai Chin is a noteworthy member of the team who is noted as ‘highly skilled in construction disputes and arbitration’. Names to note include Dato’ Nitin Nadkarni, who became a consultant in the team in January 2023, and senior associate Joyce Ong Kar Yee.

Rahmat Lim & Partners‘ ‘cooperative, skilled and knowledgeable’ projects and energy team has a strong reputation for its capabilities in handling both contentious and non-contentious infrastructure work. The team’s client list is formed of well-known names from the array of sectors, including transportation, aviation and renewables. Its caseload includes advising on initial contracts, through to the construction, development and completion of the high-value projects. Its matters are often cross-jurisdictional in nature, an example being its advising Mega First Corporation in a $12m solar photovoltaic infrastructure development project initiated by the Maldivian government. Kamilah Kasim, who ‘needs no introduction’, is at the team’s helm, alongside international arbitration specialist Chong Yee Leong and the firm’s head of corporate Dzuhairi bin Jaafar Thani.

Shearn Delamore & Co’s projects and energy cohort has particular expertise advising clients in matters involving high-value construction and engineering developments. Datin Grace Yeoh specialises in energy, natural resources and green tech, and co-leads the practice alongside Rodney Gomez, who has experience in litigation and arbitration cases involving key infrastructure and development contracts across industry sectors. The team’s workload includes representing its clients in High Court level disputes, a recent example being its acting for Sabah Electricity in an alleged wrongful deduction by the other side in a high-value PPA agreement. Additionally, the group advises on preparations, negotiations, construction and completion of projects.

Projects and infrastructure specialist Richard Khoo Boo Hin, ‘well-known for his expertise and experience in the field’, and Fariz Abdul Aziz, who advises on oil and gas, and energy-related transactional work, jointly lead the ‘dedicated’ practice at Skrine. The team’s workload varies from advising key energy clients on M&A, financing and transactions, to acting for clients on the key elements of large-scale developments and due diligence aspects therein. Its client roster includes well-known national companies from sectors including aviation and construction. Senior associate Rachel Chiah is another key contact in the group.

Zaid Ibrahim & Co (in association with KPMG Law) advises on green electricity mandates and provides regulatory advice on the implications of relevant legislative changes imposed by the Malaysian Government, recently regarding the coal export ban, in particular. Caera Lee Huan Yin is a name to note in the team, with demonstrable experience advising on the scope of project development-related matters. Amin Abdul Majid is at the team’s helm and acts for clients on key energy and infrastructure matters, frequently supported by Hua Sia Yen.

The projects and energy cohort at Zain & Co is well-equipped to advise on the construction and leasing of large-scale real estate projects, as well as on the development of projects in the energy sector. The industries the team’s client roster spans include telecoms, oil and gas, property development, and construction. The standout practitioners in the team are oil and gas and infrastructure specialist senior partner Rajiv Vijayanathan, and Mariza Azen Mat Rasip. Corporate and M&A-focused Rebecca Jeyanthi Selvaraj is another key contact in the team. Other areas of expertise include advising on PPP agreements, contracts for design and construction of projects, and the regulatory elements therein.

The team at Adnan Sundra & Low has Adrian Chair and Khem Thadani at its helm. The practice’s workload includes advising its clients on energy, infrastructure and construction projects, and the banking and finance arena is a particular area of focus, advising on the high-value loan facilities and financing arrangements required in order for significant and often cross-border projects to commence. Ng Jo-Leen is another key name to note amidst the cohort.

The team at Mohamed Ridza & Co is co-led by Mohamed Ridza Bin Abdullah, Mohamad Nazran Bin Basirun and Naseem Binti Mohamed Abdulla. The practice's workload includes advising its client roster, which spans such industry sectors as gas and energy, and shipbuilding, on the contractual aspects of development projects. Additionally, it advises on the tax, construction, procurement and management elements of developments.

Ooi Huey Miin leads the projects and energy practice at Raja, Darryl & Loh, following the departure of former team lead Choon Hon Leng to Sanjay Mohan in January 2023. The team advises its portfolio of clients, including government-owned entities, on infrastructure matters, in addition to handling the procurement, construction and contractual elements of development projects.

Praised by clients for its provision of ‘unique, bespoke advice’, the practice at Wong & Partners is led by Mark Lim, advising its client portfolio on a broad range of matters, including the contractual and project financing aspects of green energy projects, and oil and gas-related mandates, as well as the construction and land acquisition elements of developments. The practice also has demonstrable capability in handling related disputes. Promoted to partner in July 2023, Faez Abdul Razak is ‘professional, realistic and pragmatic in his approach to tackling the most challenging issues’.