About Us
Abdullah Chan & Co is a leading Malaysian corporate law firm located in the central business district and financial district of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. We have a reputation of “thinking outside the box” and being “leagues above other lawyers”, with particular appreciation for our focus, trouble-shooting skills and our practical and pragmatic advice. We are geared towards being able to provide timely advice in meeting our clients’ respective needs. We are committed to understanding our clients’ businesses, interests and operating environments in order to provide strategic, relevant, high-quality legal solutions. Each piece of work is handled by a team of lawyers of the appropriate experience and seniority to ensure that our bespoke services are delivered in a timely, efficient and cost effective manner.
We aim to be the law firm of choice, offering bespoke solutions and advice that helps our clients reach their objectives. Our team has the expertise, experience and capacity to give the best possible advice, and our clients have the comfort of knowing that every piece of work meets the required Abdullah Chan standard.
We value relationships and this is clearly evidenced by our many long-standing clients across different industries.
Abdullah Chan values strong networks, and our participation in these networks allows our clients the benefit of varied international resources
Internationally, Abdullah Chan is a member of the following networks:
1. Globalaw
2. Global Leaders Forum
3. International Bar Association
In Malaysia, our team actively participates in various chambers and business associations, aligned to the sectors and markets in which we advise:
1. British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce
2. Malaysian French Chamber of Commerce & Industry
3. Italy Malaysia Business Association
4. Malaysia Aerospace Industry Association – we are a Core Member
5. Asian Business Aviation Association
List of Our Awards
2009 Asia Pacific Legal 500:
Islamic Finance
“Abdullah Chan is new on the market, but Hamdi Abdullah is a recognised expert.”
Capital Markets
“The partners at Abdullah Chan are ‘attentive, experienced, and really know their stuff’. Highlights for the firm include advising RCE Marketing on the first ever ABS structure of securitisation of consumer loans receivables. Vincent Chan Siew Onn and Hamdi Abdullah are leading individuals.”
Corporate/M&A
“Abdullah Chan is relatively new to the market, but its ‘superior’ partners are recommended for their impressive corporate expertise. Enviable domestic clients include Petra Energy, Temasek Holdings and Singapore Aerospace, which the firm acted for in its takeover of LKT Industrial Berhad. Vincent Chan Siew Onn is an acclaimed practitioner, described by clients as having ‘sound and deep technical skills and knowledge’, and is ‘meticulous and hardworking; a big picture person with a natural talent’.”
2009 Asia Pacific Legal 500:
Capital Markets
“In a short period of time, Abdullah Chan has become a key player in equity and bond issuances. Clients include Maybank Investment Bank, AmInvestment Bank and RHB Investment Bank. Named partner Vincent Chan is ‘professional’, ‘dedicated’ and ‘very hands on’. “
Corporate & M&A
“Abdullah Chan has evolved rapidly since its 2008 launch with partners Vincent Chan Siew Onn and Hamdi Abdullah commended for ‘thinking outside the box’ and being ‘leagues above other lawyers’, thanks to their ‘focus’, ‘trouble shooting skills’ and ‘pragmatism’. The team has genuine ‘industry knowledge’ and ‘strength in depth’, allowing it to represent major international names such as Temasek Holdings, Kuwait Finance House and new high-profile client, the Qatar Investment Authority. Domestic clients include Malaysian Technology Development Corporation and Genting Berhad.”
Islamic Finance
“Abdullah Chan is recognised for its Sukuk expertise, with clients highlighting the firm’s ‘industry knowledge’ and ‘value for money’. Clients include Asian Finance Bank Berhad and Kuwait Finance House. Hamdi Abdullah is recommended.”
Asia Pacific Legal 500
Corporate & M&A
“Abdullah Chan’s Vincent Chan provides ‘London/New York–quality, top–tier advice’, and is ‘100% client focused’. He leads a team of five fee–earners, which counts prominent Malaysian conglomerates such as Genting and Sapura among its clients. It also recently gained a new instruction from a major Middle Eastern bank. Highlights included advising C P Group on investments in Australia”
Capital Markets
“The ‘excellent’ Abdullah Chan is ‘very well versed and experienced in capital markets’. Vincent Chan, who attracts praise for his ‘depth and experience’, recently advised both Maybank Investment Bank and a subsidiary of Asian Plantations on Malaysia’s first–ever palm oil bond issuance by an LSE–listed company. Chan and Hamdi Abdullah advised IT company Prestariang on its restructuring and subsequent Malaysian Stock Exchange listing.”
Islamic Finance
“At Abdullah Chan, Hamdi Abdullah leads on Islamic financing transactions. The firm recently gained one of the world’s largest Islamic banks as a client, and has experience advising on debt securities and murabahah facilities.”
Asia Pacific Legal 500
Corporate and M&A
“Vincent Chan and his team at Abdullah Chan ‘provide top-quality service’ with Chan attracting praise as ‘client-centric, with superior expertise in the Asian markets, especially Malaysia’. The team is very active in the energy market, and Chan’s recent work includes advising SapuraKenkana Petroleum on its $2.9bn acquisition of Seadrill”
Capital Markets
“Vincent Chan of Abdullah Chan has ‘an impeccable reputation for capital markets work’. His experience includes advising Maybank and Asian Plantations on structural and cross-border issues related to the latter’s RM255m MTN programme. Other clients have included Prestariang Group and AmInvestment Bank.”
Islamic Finance
“Abdullah Chan’s Gopal Sundaram and Vincent Chan ‘have extensive experience in Islamic regulatory and compliance matters perspective, as well as strong transactional experience’. Sundaram has ‘profound expertise’ in the Islamic Financial Services Act 2013, and has advising clients such as International Islamic Liquidity Management on the new legislation.”
ALB LAW AWARDS
M&A DEAL OF THE YEAR
“Combination and integration of tender rig businesses of SapuraKencana and Seadrill
Firms: Abdullah Chan & Co; Clifford Chance; Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
Banks: CIMB Investment Bank; Goldman Sachs; Maybank Investment Bank
Accounting firm: PwC”
Asia Pacific Legal 500
Corporate and M&A
“Abdullah Chan & Co recently acted on domestic and cross-border deals in the oil & gas sector, and advised on a number of corporate advisory matters. Vincent Chan advised Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation on various investments and commercial agreements. He leads the team, which hired Yap Hui Lu from Chooi & Co in July 2014.”
Capital Markets
“Abdullah Chan & Co’s Vincent Chan is the key contact for capital markets work, and has experience in cross-border listings and issuances.”
Islamic Finance
“Abdullah Chan & Co’s Gopal Sundaram is a key adviser to International Islamic Liquidity Management and the Islamic Financial Services Board.”
Asia Pacific Legal 500
Corporate and M&A
“Abdullah Chan & Co handled a number of corporate restructurings. The firm’s other work included acting for Tropicana in the RM200m disposal of a 73% stake in Tenaga Kimia to industrial explosives manufacturer Austin Powder. Vincent Chan and Muthanna Abdullah co-head the practice.”
Banking & Finance-Islamic Finance
“Abdullah Chan & Co’s practice is led by Gopal Sundaram, who is a regulatory expert in this area.”
Chambers Asia Pacific 2018
“Corporate/M&A (Leading Individual) – Vincent Chan Siew Onn”
2019 Asia Pacific Legal 500
“Abdullah Chan & Co has been recommended in 4 practice areas – Banking and Finance, Corporate M&A, Islamic Finance and Real Estate and Construction, in the Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2019.”
“Once again, Vincent Chan is listed in the elite “Leading lawyers” list, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2019’s guide to outstanding lawyers in Asia Pacific, in the Corporate and M&A practice area.”
“In addition, all partners are recommended in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2019 editorial:”
Banking and finance
– Gopal Sundaram
– Muthanna Abdullah
– Shelina Razaly Wahi
Corporate and M&A
– Vincent Chan
– Yap Hui Lu
– Shelina Razaly Wahi
Islamic finance
– Gopal Sundaram
– Vincent Chan
– Shelina Razaly Wahi
Real estate and construction
– Vincent Chan
– Yap Hui Lu
2019 Chambers Asia Pacific
“Vincent Chan at Abdullah Chan & Co has been ranked in the Corporate / M&A sector for Malaysia, in the Chambers Asia-Pacific 2019 Guide – Vincent regularly represents clients across a number of industry sectors, including financial services, energy and manufacturing. Impressed interviewees say that “his responsiveness is unparalleled” and appreciate that “he brings great judgement combined with experience.”
2020 Asia Pacific Legal 500:
“Abdullah Chan & Co has been recommended in Banking and Finance, particularly active in the aviation and aerospace sector, with experience acting for both lenders and borrowers in aircraft financing transactions. Corporate partner Vincent Chan (who has experience advising financial institutions on M&A transactions), financing regulatory expert Gopal Sundaram, and aviation finance expert Datin Shelina Razaly Wahi are the names to notes in the team.
The corporate and M&A practice at Abdullah Chan & Co has experience across a range of corporate transactions and advice across corporate finance, capital markets, real estate and regulatory matters. Practice head Vincent Chan is experienced across the oil and gas, energy, plantation and financial services sectors while Yap Hui Lu has particular expertise in real estate, banking and financial services and foreign investment sectors.
Vincent Chan is listed as the “Leading Individual and Recommended Lawyer” in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2020’s guide in the Corporate and M&A practice area.
In addition, all partners are recommended in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2020 editorial:”
Capital markets and securities-Vincent Chan Siew Onn
-Yap Hui Lu
Corporate advisory
-Vincent Chan Siew Onn
-Dato’ Muthanna Abdullah
-Yap Hui Lu
Mergers and acquisitions
– Vincent Chan Siew Onn
– Yap Hui Lu
Venture capital/private equity
– Vincent Chan Siew Onn
– Yap Hui Lu
Corporate governance
– Gopal Sundaram
– Vincent Chan Siew Onn
– Yap Hui Lu
REITs
– Vincent Chan Siew Onn
– Yap Hui Lu
Banking and finance, regulatory and compliance
– Gopal Sundaram
Islamic finance
– Gopal Sundaram
Real estate
– Vincent Chan Siew Onn
– Yap Hui Lui
2020 Asialaw Profiles :
Abdullah Chan & Co has also been ranked by Asialaw under the category of “Outstanding” for Aviation and Shipping and “Notable firm” for Corporate M&A.
Vincent Chan has been ranked by Asialaw as a distinguished practitioner in the area of Corporate and M&A.
Expert Guides
Expert Guide has listed Datin Shelina Razaly who specialises in Aviation and Aerospace as an expert in the area of Aviation in Malaysia.
2021 Asia Pacific Legal 500
“Asia Pacific Legal 500 has ranked Vincent Chan Siew Onn as a member of the elite “Hall of Fame” list for Corporate and M&A lawyers and a Leading Individual and Recommended Lawyer for both Corporate and M&A and Banking and Finance respectively.”
CORPORATE AND M&A
“Vincent Chan , Yap Hui Lu, Shelina Razaly Wahi and Gopala Sundaram steer the corporate and M&A team at Abdullah Chan & Co. A key highlight for the firm is its role in advising YHL Holdings on its group restructuring (a case featuring Bernas and related subsidiaries). In broader terms, the team handles fundamental sector issues such as capital markets and foreign direct investments. Notably, it also has a developing reputation in the aviation and aerospace.”
– Datin Shelina Razaly Wahi
2021 Chambers Asia Pacific
“Vincent Chan is ranked in Asia Pacific for Corporate / M&A and is a respected name in the market, with sources describing him as “an excellent lawyer.” He has a varied practice which includes M&A, joint ventures and capital markets transactions, acting for both domestic and foreign clients.
Vincent Chan has a notable practice acting for financial institutions and corporations on mergers, joint ventures and company restructuring. He is commended by a client for his “good customer service and experience.”
The team is known for Noted corporate team adept at handling M&A and FDI, corporate restructuring and joint ventures, with particular expertise advising on bank mergers. Frequently acts for financial institutions on corporate matters, as well as clients in the oil and gas, insurance and aviation sectors. Advises foreign and Malaysian entities.”
2021 Asialaw Profiles
“Vincent Chan has been ranked by Asialaw Profile this year too as a distinguished practitioner in the area of Corporate and M&A in Malaysia.”
2021 Expert Guides
“Expert Guide has listed Datin Shelina Razaly who specialises in Aviation and Aerospace as an expert in the area of Aviation in Malaysia.”
2022 Asia Pacific Legal 500
– Datin Shelina Razaly Wahi
2022 Chambers Asia Pacific
Abdullah Chan & Co has a noted corporate law team in Malaysia, adept at handling M&A and FDI, corporate restructuring and joint ventures, with particular expertise advising on bank mergers. Frequently acts for financial institutions on corporate matters, as well as clients in the healthcare, insurance and aviation sectors. Advises foreign and Malaysian entities from the firm’s Kuala Lumpur office.
Vincent Chan leads Abdullah Chan’s corporate law group in Malaysia. He has a notable practice acting for financial institutions and corporations on mergers, joint ventures and company restructuring.
2022 Asialaw Profile
Abdullah Chan & Co has also been ranked by Asialaw Profiles as “Recommended” for industry sectors for Aviation and Banking and Financial Services and “Recognised” for Corporate M&A.
Vincent Chan has been ranked by Asialaw Profile as a distinguished practitioner in the area of Corporate and M&A in Malaysia.
Expert Guides
Expert Guide has listed Datin Shelina Razaly who specialises in Aviation and Aerospace as an expert in the area of Aviation in Malaysia.
2023 Asia Pacific Legal 500
HALL OF FAME
“Vincent Chan – Abdullah Chan & Co
Asia Pacific Legal 500 has ranked Vincent Chan Siew Onn as a member of the elite “Hall of Fame” list for Corporate and M&A lawyers and a Recommended Lawyer for both Corporate and M&A and Banking and Finance respectively.”
CORPORATE AND M&A
“Abdullah Chan & Co has expertise in the financial services, oil and gas, plantation, foreign direct investment and aerospace arenas. Across these sectors, the practice is able to advise on M&A, corporate finance and capital markets matters. Vincent Chan advises on privatisation and government issues, while Shelina Razaly Wahi offers expertise in the commercial and general aviation sectors. Yap Hui Lu acts for clients including Hong Leong Bank Berhad and experienced banking and finance partner Gopala Krishnan Sundaram is another key member of the practice. All named practitioners collectively lead the team.”
BANKING AND FINANCE
“Abdullah Chan & Co draws banking and finance expertise from across the firm, with demonstrable experience in acquisition, property and asset financing. The firm has worked on a series of applications for digital banking licenses along with crypto and digital asset matters. Vincent Chan and Gopala Krishnan Sundaram are key partners, along with Shelina Razaly Wahi, who is experienced in aviation finance.
In addition, all partners are recommended in the The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2022 editorial :-“
CAPITAL MARKET & SECURITIES
– Vincent Chan Siew Onn
– Yap Hui Lu
CORPORATE ADVISORY
– Vincent Chan Siew Onn
– Dato’ Muthanna Abdullah
– Yap Hui Lu
MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS
– Vincent Chan Siew Onn
– Yap Hui Lu
VENTURE CAPITAL/PRIVATE EQUITY
– Vincent Chan Siew Onn
– Yap Hui Lu
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
– Gopala Sundaram
– Vincent Chan Siew Onn
– Yap Hui Lu
REITS
– Vincent Chan Siew Onn
– Yap Hui Lu
BANKING & FINANCE, REGULATORY & COMPLIANCE
– Gopala Sundaram
ISLAMIC FINANCE
– Gopala Sundaram
ENERGY
– Vincent Chan Siew Onn
– Yap Hui Lu
CORPORATE FINANCE
– Vincent Chan Siew Onn
– Yap Hui Lu
OIL AND GAS
– Vincent Chan Siew Onn
– Dato’ Muthanna Abdullah
AVIATION AND AEROSPACE
– Datin Shelina Razaly Wahi
2023 Chambers Global & Asia Pacific
“Vincent Chan leads Abdullah Chan’s corporate law group in Malaysia. He has a notable practice acting for financial institutions and corporations on mergers, joint ventures and company restructuring.”
“Abdullah Chan & Co has a noted corporate law team in Malaysia, adept at handling M&A and FDI, corporate restructuring and joint ventures, with particular expertise advising on bank mergers. The firm frequently acts for financial institutions and funds on corporate matters, as well as companies in a range of sectors. The department advises foreign and Malaysian entities from the firm’s Kuala Lumpur office.”
2023 IFLR1000
“The International Financial Law Review 1000 (IFLR1000) comments that Vincent Chan ‘receives positive feedback for his negotiating and drafting skills’. Vincent’s extensive practice experience includes corporate finance, capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, takeovers, privatisation, private finance initiatives and private equity transactions, as well as cross-border joint ventures, investments and financing transactions. He has advised a wide range of clients including major investment banks, multinational companies, government linked companies and foreign clients in connection with his areas of expertise.”
2023 Asialaw Profiles
“Vincent Chan has been ranked by Asialaw Profile as a distinguished practitioner in the area of Corporate and M&A in Malaysia.”
“Abdullah Chan & Co has ranked by Asialaw Profiles as “Recognised” for Corporate M&A and “Recommended” for industry sectors for Aviation and Banking and Financial Services”
Expert Guides
“The 2022 edition of the Women in Business Law Expert Guide has listed Datin Shelina Razaly who specialises in Aviation and Aerospace as an expert in the area of Aviation in Malaysia.This guide lists the world’s top female practitioners across 90 jurisdictions in 32 practice areas.”
2024 Legal 500 Awards
“Counting foreign and domestic multinationals, corporations, government-linked companies and investment banks among its key roster of clients, the team at Abdullah Chan & Co handles an array corporate advisory matters, M&A transactions, share purchase agreements, and project development mandates, with demonstrable experience in the oil and gas, energy, and plantation sectors. Noted for his experience in handling M&A involving banks and other financial institutions, Vincent Chan Siew Onn leads the practice alongside Shelina Razaly Wahi, Yap Hui Lu and Gopala Krishnan Sundaram.”
“The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
The practice at Abdullah Chan & Co encompasses strengths across the banking and finance sectors, with a particular focus on corporate advisory and property development work. The firm engages with a wide range of clients across a variety of industries including insurance, financial institutions, energy, and infrastructure. Vincent Chan Siew Onn and Gopala Krishnan Sundaram lead the team, with know-how in insurance company M&A transactions and cryptocurrency regulations, respectively. Shelina Razaly Wahi offers specialisation within the aerospace and aviation aspects of finance.”
2024 Chambers Global & Asia Pacific
“Vincent Chan leads Abdullah Chan’s corporate law group in Malaysia. He has a notable practice acting for financial institutions and corporations on mergers, joint ventures and company restructuring.
Abdullah Chan is a noted corporate law team in Malaysia, adept at handling M&A and FDI, corporate restructuring and joint ventures, with particular expertise in advising on bank mergers. The firm frequently acts for financial institutions and funds on corporate matters, as well as companies in a range of sectors. The department advises foreign and Malaysian entities from the firm’s Kuala Lumpur office.”
IFLR 1000 Awards
“The firm has a strength in the financing and corporate sectors. It stands out for its expertise in the aviation and aerospace sectors. Other key experience is in the oil and gas, financial services and real estate sectors, advising both private and government clients on M&A, compliance, privatisation and inbound and outbound direct investment.
During the past research cycle, the firm continued to be active in banking and finance, project, and M&A. Recent highlight of the works includes advised seller Permodalan Nasional Berhad in $15 billion merger between the Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Berhad (MIDF) group of companies and MBSB Bank Berhad (MBSB) banking group.”
2024 Asialaw Profiles
“Abdullah Chan & Co is renowned for its ability to manage financing matters for large banks and financial institutions. The firm has a strong track record of handling regular mandates in project finance and is recognised for its proficiency in the aviation sector, providing valuable advice on aviation-related financing and acquisitions. The team is led by Vincent Chan and Gopal Sundaram, who bring extensive experience and knowledge to the table.”