Regulatory Compliance & Advisory

Abdullah Chan’s Regulatory Compliance & Advisory Practice is dedicated to providing strategic legal advice and representation to clients facing complex regulatory challenges. We work closely with clients to develop and implement robust compliance programs, mitigate risk, and respond effectively to regulatory inquiries and enforcement actions.

Our practice covers a wide range of regulatory areas, including:

• Financial Services Regulation: Advising on regulatory matters pertaining to securities, banking, insurance, and capital markets. We are particularly strong in the are of Financial Institution Mergers and Acquisitions transactions. 

• Corporate Governance: Assisting clients in establishing and maintaining effective corporate governance frameworks, including board and board committee structures and policies and procedures.

• Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF): Implementing comprehensive AML/CTF programs, conducting due diligence, and responding to regulatory inquiries.

• Anti-Corruption and Bribery: Advising on anti-corruption laws and regulations, conducting internal investigations, and if required, assisting clients with their internal compliance programmes and training on the same...

• Securities Law: Representing clients in securities-related investigations and enforcement actions, including defending charges of insider trading, market manipulation, and false or misleading statements.

• Whistleblower Protection: Advising on whistleblower protection laws and responding to whistleblower complaints.

Our team of experienced lawyers has a deep understanding of the regulatory landscape and a proven track record of success in representing clients in complex regulatory matters. We are committed to providing practical, innovative, and effective legal solutions to help our clients navigate the complex and constantly evolving regulatory environment.

We stand as our clients’ trusted advisors in navigating the complex landscape of regulatory and compliance matters in Malaysia. Our team provides thorough guidance to ensure that compliance with regulatory requirements does not unnecessarily impede business or operations.

We have advised on a wide range of regulatory and compliance issues, including:

• Capital Markets Services Licence
• Fit and Proper Criteria for Directors of Financial Institutions
• Transparency, Secrecy and Mandatory Disclosure Matters
• Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) Foreign Exchange Administration Notices
• Corporate Governance Institutions Pertaining to Financial Institutions
• Proposed Key Man Changes in Entities Governed by BNM
• Rationalisation and Restructuring Exercises
• Reorganisation of Financial Guarantee and Investment Companies
• Reorganisation of Insurance and Financial Holding Companies
• Privatisation of Listed Entities
• Drafting of Company Rules and Regulations
• Corporate Governance Issues
• Applications for Licences in the Aviation and Aerospace Sectors

In addition, we take pride in having advised Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), the Central Bank of Malaysia, on the establishment of the International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation (IILM). This international institution was formed by central banks, monetary authorities and multilateral organisations, including those from Indonesia, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nigeria, Qatar, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, as well as the Islamic Development Bank to create and issue short-term Shari’ah-compliant financial instruments that facilitate effective cross-border Islamic liquidity management.

• Assisted Webull Malaysia to obtain its Approval in Principal for a Capital Markets Services Licence for Online Stock Broking.

• Advised MCIS Life on Fit and Proper Criteria.

• Advised Malayan Banking Berhad on Transparency, Secrecy and Mandatory Disclosure matters.

• Advised NEXON Korea Corporation on Anti-Money Laundering and Personal Data Protection matters.

• Advised Murphy Oil on the Malaysian Central Bank Foreign Exchange Administration Rules.

• Advised Sapura Energy Berhad in relation to BNM Forex Administration Notices.

• Advised the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) an international standard-setting organization, on corporate governance issues and preparations for change of leadership in IFSB.

• Advised Bank Negara Malaysia, the Central Bank of Malaysia on the setting up of The International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation (IILM), an international institution established by central banks, monetary authorities and multilateral organisations namely the central banks and monetary agency of Indonesia, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nigeria, Qatar, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the Islamic Development Bank, to create and issue short-term Shari’ah-compliant financial instruments to facilitate effective cross-border Islamic liquidity management. 

• Advised Malaysian Electronic Payment System Sdn Bhd (MEPS) on its management review, legal review and drafting of the MEPS Rules and Regulations.

• Advised Qatar Investment Agency and its wholly owned investment holding company Qatar Holdings LLC on the funding structures, tax issues and Malaysian legal requirements for its Malaysian subsidiaries and associated companies. 

• Advised Goldman Sachs LLC on the setting up of Goldman Sachs (Labuan) Investment Bank Limited. 

• Advised Tranglo Sdn Bhd on regulatory issues relating to its remittance business.

• Advised Bank of China (Malaysia) Berhad on corporate governance issues.

• Advised Sea Hibiscus Sdn Bhd in relation to BNM Forex Administration Notices.

• Acted as the sole external counsel for the Islamic Financial Services Board – in relation to governance, operational and Islamic finance legal issues since 2013.

• Advisory services to S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc., Racine, Wisconsin, USA in relation to BNM Forex Administration Notices.

• Advised the World Bank and acted as International Consultant to the World Bank for the Review of Legal & Regulatory Review of the Financial System of Sri Lanka.

• Assisted AirPay Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. in relation to its e-Wallet application in Malaysia.

• Advised Khazanah Nasional Berhad on regulatory issues relating to its reinsurance and retakaful business in Malaysia and the Middle East.

• Advised Avicennia Capital Sdn. Bhd. on regulatory issues relating to a financial holding company. 

• Advised Avicennia Capital Sdn. Bhd on corporate governance issues relating to the Board and the Board Audit, Board Risk and Board Nomination and Remuneration Committees as well as the Management Committee.

• Advised Lazada's captive payment platform, helloPay in obtaining an approval under the Financial Services Act 2013 for issuance of an eWallet and subsequently the purchase by Alibaba and helloPay by AliPay and the change in the shareholders of helloPay. 

• Advised Instarem Malaysia Sdn Bhd in preparing the submission and applying for a money remittance licence.

• Advised Collectius Ltd on the BNM Forex Administration Rules.
  

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