It was a privilege to meet YBhg. Datuk Seri Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, Secretary-General of UMNO, for a discussion on the Malaysian economy.
Economic policy and commercial law are closer than they look from the outside. Decisions taken at policy level on investment, labour, competition and regulation work their way down into the contracts our clients sign, the disputes they end up in, and the compliance obligations they carry.
Three examples from our own practice
Employment policy. Amendments to the Employment Act 1955 changed the salary threshold, introduced flexible working arrangements and sexual harassment obligations for employers across Malaysia, and reshaped what the Industrial Court expects of a fair dismissal.
Competition policy. The Competition Act 2010 governs how aggressively businesses may compete, and the proposed merger control regime would add a further layer for companies planning acquisitions.
Investment and construction policy. Infrastructure spending drives the payment disputes, CIPAA adjudications and construction arbitrations that follow two or three years later.
Why this matters for legal advice
For lawyers advising Malaysian businesses, staying close to policy direction is not an academic exercise. It is how we tell clients what is coming, rather than only what has already happened.
Thank you, Datuk Seri Dr Asyraf, for the warm hospitality and the engaging exchange of views.
Khoo Ai Theng, Partner, Messrs Ng, Zainurul, Seke & Khoo (NZSK), Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. Employment and industrial relations, competition law, construction and corporate litigation.
