Ahmad Bakhtiar Bin Hamdan
In House Legal Counsel
Kuching
Summary
Experienced Legal Counsel specializing in complex commercial, compliance, and technical matters. Skilled in legal analysis, contract negotiation, and dispute resolution, with a strong grasp of legal frameworks that drive strategic solutions. Successfully manages legal risks and ensures compliance across various industries while leveraging project management and problem-solving skills to achieve positive outcomes.
Overview
1
1
Certification
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Legal Counsel
Sarawak Petchem Sdn.Bhd
09.2021 - Current
- Managed company legal affairs since inception, playing a key role in the formation of Sarawak Petchem’s corporate structure.
- Advised Board and management on governance matters, formulating strategies to mitigate legal risks.
- Drafted LEPCC Contract for construction of Methanol Plant, ensuring compliance with legal standards.
- Advised and involved in the drafting of the LEPCC Contract for the construction of the Methanol Plant.
- Successfully oversees the legal compliance and completion of Sukuk Wakalah transaction for an amount of USD4Billion for Project Financing.
- Participated actively in the Tender and Procurement Committee.
- Drafted all company policies and evaluated the policies.
- Contributed to Tender and Procurement Committee discussions to ensure effective vendor selection and contract negotiations.
- Industry: Oil & Gas, Energy
- Specialization: Methanol, Derivatives and Green Energy
- Role: Legal Counsel
- Position Level: Manager
Deputy Director
Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission
11.2015 - 09.2021
- Planning and executing regulatory and enforcement activities for MCMC throughout Sarawak.
- Managed public complaints related to MCMC, addressing issues in communication, new media, infrastructure requests, and quality of service to enhance stakeholder satisfaction.
- Advise and assist the Director of MCMC Sarawak on regulatory issues on a case-to-case basis.
- Participated in inter-agency relations with Law Enforcement Agencies in Sarawak, fostering collaboration to improve regulatory enforcement.
- Participate and maintain inter-agency relations with other Law Enforcement Agencies in Sarawak.
- Industry: Government/Regulatory/ Compliance
- Specialization: Communications/ Multimedia
- Role: Head of Regulatory Compliance & Enforcement
- Position Level: Manager
Senior Legal Executive
Acacia Cellulose International Sdn Bhd
06.2014 - 11.2015
- Negotiated with third party suppliers, service providers, and authorities.
- Draft, prepare and review legal documents which relate to the Company’s affairs.
- Responsible in providing legal advice and information to the Company’s management (including the Board of Directors) in all matters which relate to the Project.
- Negotiated with third party suppliers, service providers, and authorities to ensure favorable terms for the company.
- Established the company’s internal compliance framework for business operations.
- Engaged in the wood, fibre, and paper industry, focusing on legal compliance and regulatory issues.
- Specialized in providing legal services, including contract negotiations and compliance.
- Served in a management role overseeing legal and secretarial functions within the organization.
- Held the position of assistant manager, supporting senior management in legal matters.
Legal Counsel
UMW Corporation Sdn Bhd/ UMW Holdings Berhad
09.2012 - 06.2014
- Provided legal and corporate advisory services to companies within UMW Group, including wholly owned subsidiaries and joint ventures.
- Overseeing the Competition Law Compliance Program for UMW Group of Companies.
- Managed UMW Group litigation and provided preliminary legal advice on claims and risk management.
- Drafted agreements, MOUs, joint venture agreements, project term sheets, letters of undertaking, and financial covenants.
- Drafting and vetting all contracts/agreements entered into by subsidiaries in their respective dealings
- Supported HR, Finance, and Business Development departments on compliance issues and offered preliminary legal advice.
- Initiated programs to promote continuing legal awareness among employees.
- Preparing and ensuring UMW’s compliance with relevant laws and regulations in which it operates;
- Actively involved in group-wide legal, procurement and compliance initiatives which was initiated during first month of joining the company
- Advised and revised standard templates for subsidiaries, ensuring inter-company contracts comply with BURSA regulations and applicable laws.
- Assisted in the listing, due diligence and completion of the listing of UMW Oil & Gas Group of Companies.
- Liaised with foreign solicitors to provide UMW’s management informed legal advice on legal risks, especially in proposed ventures outside Malaysia. e.g. Papua New Guinea, Vietnam, China
- Industry: Diversified Holding Company Automobile / Automotive Ancillary / Vehicle
- Specialization: Law/Legal Services
- Role: Legal Counsel
- Position Level: Senior Executive
Senior Executive
MMC Corporation Berhad
04.2011 - 08.2012
- Assist the Group Legal Advisor on day-to-day basis on matters that require immediate attention, preparing briefs to update the GLA on the pressing issues concerning the Group;
- Responsibilities include monitoring, updating, and keeping a proper record of litigation cases involving the Corporation and liaising with appointed counsel-in-charge.
- Keeping tab on possible and actual legal disputes and assist the Secretarial Department in preparing statutory announcements if the need arises.
- Draft and vet correspondences to and from the Corporation (including subsidiaries) that might have legal repercussion on the Corporation;
- Provide legal advice and opinions to matters affecting the Corporation’s interest; including legal matters of the Corporation’s subsidiary;
- Assist the property division in processes of dealings involving real properties owned by the Corporation, including subsidiaries and advising in basic conveyancing matters;
- Attending meetings, negotiations and watching briefs in dealings that involved the Corporation’s interests;
- Maintained comprehensive records of all correspondences and documents with potential legal repercussions, anticipating strategies for litigation matters;
- Liaising, obtaining second opinion and keeping track of litigation updates from external solicitors.
- Drafted agreements, MOUs, joint venture agreements, project term sheets, letters of undertakings, and financial covenants.
- Preparing and ensuring Corporation’s compliance with relevant laws and regulations of Malaysia;
- Actively involved in the negotiating, drafting, and finalizing the Project Delivery Partner Agreement for the Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit Project (KVMRT).
- Assigned to handle legal matters involving subsidiaries in different industries which include advisory works for different subsidiaries involved in different business segments: (Logistic/ Transportation Service Providers) Johor Port Berhad, Port of Tanjung Pelepas Sdn Bhd, Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd
- (Engineering/Construction Services) MMC Engineering Services Sdn Bhd, MMC Gamuda (KVMRT) JV Sdn Bhd
- (Oil & Gas) MMC Oil & Gas Sdn Bhd
- (Power and Energy) Malakoff , GAS Malaysia
- (Utility/ Infrastructure) SMART (Syarikat Mengurus Air Banjir dan Terowong Sdn Bhd) MMC Gamuda JV
- Industry: Diversified Holding Company Construction / Building / Engineering
- Specialization: Law/Legal Services
- Role: Others
- Position Level: Senior Executive
Junior Counsel (Criminal Division)
Salehuddin Saidin & Associates
12.2008 - 12.2010
- Trials, preparing representation / opinion letters, Appeals, Research, Submissions, application in chambers, pre-trial applications (e.g. bail and remand applications).
- Managed legal cases in accordance with various laws.
- Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, Prevention of Corruption Act 1997/Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2008, Environmental Quality Act, Sedition Act & Police Act, Kidnapping Act, General offences under the Penal Code, Banking and Financial Institutions Act, Anti Money Laundering Act; Anti Human Trafficking Act (ATIP) etc.
- (notable trials: Cow Head Protestor’s case, Royal Mint fiasco, Corruption charges involving MPs, trial involving 136 charges under AMLA and BAFIA)
- Conducted quasi-criminal administrative hearings, including Malaysian Medical Council investigative tribunal, disciplinary board, and State Assembly Select Committee hearings, ensuring thorough representation of clients' interests.
- (Malaysian Medical Council inquiry on the allegation of malpractice by a coroner whom examined the body of the late Kugan s/o Anantham)
- SELCAT inquiry on the former Selangor-state-backed trust fund BALKIS)
- Managed writ of habeas corpus and judicial review applications, advocating for detainees' rights and challenging unlawful detentions.
- Personally handled cases involving detainees detained under the Dangerous Drugs Act (Special Preventive Measures) ;
- Applications to oppose Forfeiture of Property Proceedings, under DDA/ AMLA/ BAFIA;
- Served as watching brief for victims/interested parties in criminal prosecutions, providing oversight and ensuring their perspectives were represented.
- Handled general civil litigation matters.
- Defamation, Contractual disputes, applying/opposing striking out applications under O19 RHC / Subordinate Court Rules, applying/opposing Judgment in Default applications, Interlocutory applications, prerogative writs (mandamus and certiorari) except for matrimonial matters
- Took conduct in a matter concerning a marine insurance claim, and was assigned with matters involving personal injury/ dependency claims thereafter;
- Assisted senior counsels in the Court of Appeal and a Federal Court’s application for leave to appeal;
- Drafted cause papers and familiar with the process involved in the filing of cause papers.
- Specialization: Law/Legal Services
- Role: Lawyer
- Position Level: Executive
Education
Bachelor of Laws, LLB (Hons.) - Law
12-2022
- Faculty of Law
- GPA: CGPA 3.40
Bachelor in Legal Studies, BLS(Hons.) -
01-2007
- Faculty of Law
- GPA: CGPA 3.60
SPM, PMR -
01-2000
Skills
Regulatory compliance advisory
Corporate legal strategy
Corporate transactions
Contract negotiation
Legal Instrument Drafting
Commercial contracts
Litigation management
Construction law
Construction contract management
Employment law
Intellectual property rights knowledge
Joint venture agreements
Project funding expertise
Corporate governance
Legal research
Strategy development
Corporate legal issues
Legal writing
Certification
Advocates and Solicitors High Court of Malaya February 2010
Timeline
Legal Counsel - Sarawak Petchem Sdn.Bhd
09.2021 - Current
Deputy Director - Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission
11.2015 - 09.2021
Senior Legal Executive - Acacia Cellulose International Sdn Bhd
06.2014 - 11.2015
Legal Counsel - UMW Corporation Sdn Bhd/ UMW Holdings Berhad
09.2012 - 06.2014
Senior Executive - MMC Corporation Berhad
04.2011 - 08.2012
Junior Counsel (Criminal Division) - Salehuddin Saidin & Associates
12.2008 - 12.2010
UiTM Shah Alam - Bachelor of Laws, LLB (Hons.), Law
UiTM Shah Alam - Bachelor in Legal Studies, BLS(Hons.),
Malay College Kuala Kangsar - SPM, PMR,