Multinational organisations and conglomerates from industries ranging from banking to e-health beat a path to Christopher & Lee Ong for assistance with issues such as IT and cloud contract negotiations, data breaches, consumer protection laws and sector specific regulatory advice. The practice has additionally seen an increase in instructions relating to the the deployment of artificial intelligence, e-commerce and fintech. Leadership duties are split between Deepak Pillai, whose varied caseload includes commercial and regulatory advice on outsourcing and digital media, and KuokYew Chen, who is well-placed to advise on cross-border transactions. Intan Haryati is frequently active across public and private sector IT turnkey contracts. Anissa Maria Anis is a key contact for clients from the media and entertainment industries, while data protection specialist Yong Shih Han is equipped to advise on an array of regulatory and compliance matters. Yeap Yee Lin is another name to note.

Core to the TMT offering at Skrine is the negotiation and drafting of industry-specific contracts and licensing agreements, with the team offering expertise across a wide range of industries including healthcare, banking and media and entertainment. 5G mandates, the establishment of data centres for cloud computing services and the leasing of sub-sea and terrestrial fibres are additional areas of strength for the cohort. Practice head Charmayne Ong’s practice straddles IP and TMT; Ong frequently advises on complex regulatory compliance and licensing matters. Jilian Chia leverages her expertise in data protection and privacy issues to advise both local and multinational companies. Natalie Lim Yen Kuan is noted for her capabilities in mandates concerning satellite communications and traditional broadcasting, while Cheam Tat Sean further boosts the team’s TMT expertise.

Raja, Darryl & Loh’s technical expertise allows the team to draft and negotiate contracts and arrangements for a wide array of issues including cloud agreements, the supply of technology systems and network security and encryption. Additionally, a burgeoning fintech practice equips the firm to advise on matters spanning digital banking, cross-border payment solutions and peer-to-peer financing. Tong Lai Ling steers the group’s TMT offering; Ling’s diverse portfolio of work covers personal data protection, convergence issues and artificial intelligence. Chong Mei Mei is well-regarded for her advice concerning the provision of micro-financing, while Jed Tan Yeong Tat has in-depth knowledge of work relating to information and communications technology contracts.

Shearn Delamore & Co combines experience in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a wide array of IT agreements with expertise in regulatory compliance and licensing requirements under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. E-commerce, online marketing and advertising matters are other areas of strength. Timothy Siaw heads up the team alongside Janet Toh. The registered patent agent Siaw is an IP and technology expert, while Toh is a key contact for global cloud migration projects. Christina Kow is well-versed in the the regulation of securities and derivatives, and Krystle Lui is another name to note.

A popular boutique for clients from the media and entertainment industries, Shin Associates advises clients ranging from filmmakers to theatre and sports clients on a wide range of issues encompassing licensing and distribution agreements, chain of title documentation and service provider agreements. Additionally, keeping abreast of the latest developments in the space allows the unit to guide clients through emerging areas such as artificial intelligence and the metaverse. Jessie Tan oversees the team; in addition to an in-depth understanding of Malaysia’s creative industry, Tan is well regarded for her expertise in the fields of commercial and corporate law and data protection. Liew Sue Yin is regularly called upon to assist international and local clients with corporate and commercial transactions, while Joel Prashant is recommended for his TMT regulatory expertise.

Regulatory advice, sector-specific dispute resolution, digital transformation and licensing matters are among Wong & Partners wide-ranging set of competences. The team has been particularly active on mandates involving e-money, artificial intelligence and cloud services. Kherk Ying Chew heads up the division; Chew's wide-ranging practice encompasses expertise in contentious intellectual property matters and internet regulatory issues. Serene Kan’s regulatory expertise spans licensing, entity establishment and platform liability issues; Kan is further equipped to assist with supply agreements and outsourcing distribution arrangements.

LAW Partnership advises clients from a diverse set of sectors on TMT matters such as platform, software and content license agreements, best practices for online financial transactions and e-commerce. Information technology laws and personal data protection matters are additional areas of strength for the unit. Litigator Suaran Singh Sidhu leads the team and has longstanding experience of advising on regulatory compliance issues, cybersecurity, and policies in the APAC region. Raphael Tay is well-placed to advise on matters concerning technology law, while Brian Law is a key contact for matters with an intellectual property dimension.

Telecoms work is at the heart of Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill’s TMT practice, with the firm handling issues such as compliance with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and the drafting of agreements between telecoms operators and infrastructure providers. The team also frequently assists clients with data protection, IT outsourcing and e-money mandates. Practice head G. Vijay Kumar is equipped to litigate a wide array of technology and telecoms-based disputes spanning network service provision and IT system integration. Personal data protection, including the cross-border transfer of personal data, is a recognised practice strength of Teo Wai Sum. Chan Mun Yew adds to the contentious expertise with disputes concerning the provision of telecommunication and network services a notable strength. Eleena Abd Wahab and Eunice Wei Lynn Chan  departed in September 2022 and October 2022, respectively.

Rahmat Lim & Partners pulls together a well-regarded offering with particular strengths in the negotiating and drafting of sector-specific commercial agreements for issues such as the licensing of telecoms networks, outsourcing and biotechnology. The team is also well-placed to advise on fintech matters with equity crowdfunding platforms and online payment systems standing out as recent areas of activity. A quarter of partners head up the practice: Azman bin Othman Luk has significant experience of advising on banking and finance transactions; Wan Kai Chee and Moy Pui Yee are equipped to advise on M&A work; and Pauline Khor is an IP expert with a contentious and non-contentious portfolio of work. Zandra Tan is singled out for her capital markets knowledge. Karen Foong and Penny Wong are further names to note.

Communications and multimedia, data protection and data privacy are core pillars of Tay & Partners offering; the group also regularly brings its extensive IP expertise to bear on development and licensing mandates for an array of major clients. Lee Lin Li is the key contact at the firm; she is well-placed to advise on personal data protection policies to ensure compliance with Malaysian data protection laws. Advising TMT clients on consent procedures  and mechanisms for marketing stands out as a recent area of activity for Chong Kah Yee.

Practice strengths at Zain & Co include advising on licensing of software and hardware and outsourcing arrangements, assessing the viability of establishing a commercial presence in Malaysia and handling licensing and distribution issues for film and media companies. Saleah Abdul Shukor heads up the team and has a strong track record in M&A work involving companies in the TMT arena. Pauline Ngiam is well-regarded for her work on commercial transactions and contracts.

Handling regulatory and operational agreements and procurement work for key clients, including Telekom Malaysia and EdgePoint Infrastructure, showcases the telecoms expertise at Zul Rafique & Partners. Darren Kor Yit Meng heads up the practice and has a proven track record in drafting access agreements and reference access offerings for both fixed and mobile networks.

Gan, Lee & Tan is well-regarded for its expertise in emerging technologies and frequently advises on regulatory and licensing matters for issues such as the tokenisation of securities, equity crowdfunding, blockchain and e-money. Gan Ming Chiek, an expert in the digital asset arena, jointly chairs the practice alongside Yeow Jie Han. Kelvin Wong and Rylin Koey are key contacts for corporate advisory matters. Sieh Lih Chuan departed in January 2023.

Imaduddin & Lew Chambers’s boutique practice specialises in technology procurement structures, cloud computing, and personal data protection. The practice is additionally seeing an increase in instructions connected to smart cities. Brian Lew and Imaduddin Suhaimi jointly lead the team with the former specialising in technology transactions and the latter well-versed in technology procurement mandates.

Cryptocurrency regulation, sustainable transportation infrastructure and personal data protection are among the key areas of expertise at Mohamed Ridza & Co. Co-head of the practice Mohamed Ridza Abdullah is well-versed in fintech matters, including smart contracts and digital signatures. Fellow co-head Mohamad Nazran Basirun assists a wide range of TMT companies with licensing agreements, service contracts and collaboration agreements. Najwa Aqilah Mansor is a key contact for corporate advisory work.

Richard Wee Chambers is active across cryptocurrency issues, gene-editing in sports and artificial intelligence in e-commerce, and is well-placed to advise fintech, insurtech and regtech start-ups on an array compliance and regulation issues. Co-head of the team Richard Wee frequently advises government agencies on matters related to fintech and e-sports. Completing the leadership team, ESG specialist Darren Lai is equipped to advise on NFT regulation, while disputes and fintech law are among Kimberly Chan’s areas of expertise.

Zaid Ibrahim & Co (in association with KPMG Law) is well-placed to advise on fintech issues such as licensing applications and advice on engagement with regulators. The firm also advises on AML compliance and merger controls involving telecoms companies. Personal data protection expert Nadarashnaraj Sargunaraj heads up the practice, while fintech specialist Jonathan Lim’s practice extends to matters involving blockchain technology and payment systems.