Zhi Min is a Partner in the Corporate Practice Group of Christopher & Lee Ong.
Zhi Min advises on a wide range of crucial business decisions, including mergers and acquisitions (both private and public), joint ventures, offerings of securities, regulatory compliance as well as general corporate and securities law matters.
His experience spans across all aspects of a transaction, including legal drafting, negotiations and helping clients to navigate the web of regulatory challenges. He has also coordinated numerous multi-jurisdictional assignments and has a particular interest in advising investors in their investments in Malaysia.
Zhi Min has advised a broad range of companies across several key sectors, including heavy and light manufacturing, logistics and transportation, healthcare, retail trade, digital services and financial institution clients.
EXPERIENCE
Mergers & Acquisitions
- Acted for Singapore-based Esteel Enterprise Pte. Ltd in its acquisition of 100% interests in Antara Steel Mills Sdn Bhd and Eden Flame Sdn Bhd from Amsteel Mills Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bursa Malaysia-listed Lion Industries Corporation Berhad.
- Acted for SH Cogent Logistics Pte Ltd, a subsidiary of SGX-listed COSCO Shipping International (Singapore) Co., Ltd, which is headquartered in Shanghai, in its acquisition of an 80% interest in three subsidiaries of Complete Logistic Services Berhad which are involved in logistics and warehousing businesses.
- Advised Delfortgroup AG (“Delfort”), a multinational paper manufacturer of Austrian origin in its acquisition of a stake in the Malaysian subsidiary of the Benkert group of companies, which is in the business of producing tipping papers for cigarettes.
- Advised Trescal SA, a leading multinational specialist in calibration services, of French origin, in relation to its projects in Malaysia.
- Acted for a leading Dutch group specialized in advanced industrial water treatment solutions in respect of its maiden acquisition in Malaysia.
- Acted for a regional electronic and passive components manufacturer headquartered in Taipei in respect of its acquisition of a company in Malaysia, which is in the business of manufacturing printed circuit boards and electronic components, from a TYO-listed Japanese seller. The acquisition marks the client’s first major expansion in Malaysia.
- Advised JWD Asia Holding Private Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Thai-listed SCGJWD Logistics Public Company Limited (SET: SJWD), one of the largest integrated logistics and supply chain service providers in Southeast Asia, on the acquisition of a 20.44% interest in Swift Haulage Berhad, Malaysia’s largest container haulage company.
- Acted for Regent Wise Investments Limited, a subsidiary of Philippine conglomerate, Ayala Land Inc, in its acquisition of 17.24% equity stake in Bursa Malaysia listed, MCT Berhad, from a major shareholder for RM 202.5 million which triggered a mandatory take-over offer requirement under the Takeovers Code to acquire all the remaining ordinary shares in MCT Berhad.
- Advised a US-headquartered private equity firm, in its acquisition of a 100% stake in one of the leading providers of pathology laboratory services in Malaysia, as part of its expansion in the Southeast Asia region.
- Acted for China Vanke, a leading residential real estate developer in the People’s Republic of China, listed both on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange and Hong Kong Stock Exchange in its joint venture with a local partner and in its subsidiary’s acquisition of a 7.4-acre prime tract of land from a liquidator for a value of approximately RM 500 million.
- Acted for a PRC private equity firm in respect of its investment in a leading logistics and express delivery service company in Malaysia with presence across Southeast Asia.Acted for a Chinese automotive internet platform in respect of its proposed acquisition of an interest in a company which operates a reputable vehicle sales platform across Southeast Asia.
- Acted for a regional next generation cloud, data centres, e-commerce and marketplace group of companies in their proposed acquisition of a network facilities provider in Malaysia.
- Represented a multi-national insurance group of European origin on its RM 356 million acquisition of 49% of the issued share capital of a Malaysian insurance company. This acquisition marks the client’s maiden entrance into the Malaysian insurance industry.
- Acted for Mustika Manis Sdn. Bhd. in respect of a mandatory takeover offer to acquire all the remaining ordinary shares in Johan Holdings Berhad not already owned by Mustika Manis and its persons acting in concert. Johan Holdings and its subsidiaries are involved in a spectrum of activities relating to Diners Club charge and credit cards, travel and tours, property development and a hotel.
Capital Markets and Corporate Finance
- Advised numerous global funds and asset managers in respect of regulatory matters, and the offering and distribution of investment funds, securities and other capital market products under Malaysian law.
- Acted as the Malaysian counsel to the joint sponsors in connection with the issuer’s US$500 million IPO and listing on the Main Board of Hong Kong Stock Exchange (“HKSE”), one of the largest IPOs on the HKSE in 2023. The listing group is a leading logistics and express delivery service provider in Southeast Asia and the People’s Republic of China.
- Acted as the Malaysian counsel to the issuer, which operates in the luxury lifestyle, retail, wellness and manufacturing sectors across Singapore, Malaysia and the People’s Republic of China, in connection with the issuer’s proposed IPO and listing on The Main Board of the HKSE.
- Advised Digi.Com Berhad on the equity markets components of the proposed merger of Digi and Celcom Axiata Berhad.
- Acted as the Malaysian counsel to the issuer, which engages in digital content business in Malaysia, Indonesia and Cambodia, in connection with its proposed listing on the HKSE.
- Acted as the Malaysian counsel to a Singapore-headquartered beauty company with its listing and IPO on the Main Board of the HKSE.
- Acted as the Malaysian counsel to a Thai-incorporated holding company in the manufacturing industry (with presence in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia) in respect of its RM 400 million IPO and listing on The Stock Exchange of Thailand (“SET”). Drafted the business, risk and regulatory-related sections of the prospectus.
- Advised a Bursa Malaysia-listed public company in the property development sector in respect of its joint venture exercise in developing a parcel of land in the Petaling district, Selangor.
PUBLICATIONS
- Author, “Company constitution – things to prepare for”, Legally Speaking column, published by The Sun (Aug 2017)
