The U.S. Department of State, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security and Sandia National Laboratories, is pleased to invite representatives from companies that produce and distribute microcontrollers, field-programmable gate arrays, and other hardware devices, and transportation and logistics companies to participate in a workshop to be held 11 January 2024 at the Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur.
The workshop will be conducted by leading experts, who will provide an opportunity to network and learn about addressing compliance challenges in connection to international trade controls relating to use and supply of component parts for the manufacturing of drones being used in Ukraine and to manage and mitigate against threats of proliferation. The one-day workshop will include presentations on specific components being used by sanction countries for the manufacturing of drones, the U.S. Foreign Direct Product Rule and export control challenges and best practices. Following the workshop, the experts will be available to meet with companies individually to answer additional questions or discuss any follow-on activities.
The workshop will be conducted in English.
Please submit your registration via this link https://cpw.sandia.gov/scdd/mal-1/registration
Nomination submissions should be sent in as soon as possible but no later than 29 December 2023.
On 18 December, Siobhan Das, AMCHAM’s CEO engaged in an insightful meeting with the Director General of Malaysian Customs, YBhg. Dato’ Anis Rizana at the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (RMCD). The ongoing engagement with RMCD is part of the efforts to strengthen the existing relationship between RMCD-AMCHAM, and centered on addressing industrial issues, training and & promoting inclusive policies that emphasize Malaysia as a key trading nation particularly through facilitating trade affairs, encouraging US foreign investment, and supporting a circular economy.
We extend our gratitude to the Director General of Malaysian Customs, YBhg. Dato’ Anis Rizana and her team at the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (RMCD) for their continued support and dedication!
Plexus has won the HR Asia Best Companies to Work for in Asia again this year – the third time they have been selected as one of the Best Companies to Work for in Asia (Malaysia Chapter). The company also won the prestigious HR Asia Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award for the first time. The Plexus team attended the gala dinner and awards ceremony in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia on 7 Dec 2023 to accept both awards.
The “HR Asia Best Companies to Work for in Asia” is an awards recognition program for organizations that have been identified by their employees as one of Asia’s employers of choice and ascertains the best employers to work for. The award is for companies across Asia and recognizes companies with the best HR practices and demonstrate high levels of employee engagement and excellent workplace cultures.
As a recipient of the HR Asia Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Award, Plexus has been recognized for successfully implementing practices and becoming an outstanding example to the promotion of DEI.
Congratulations, Plexus!
Azmi & Associates has released a number of articles over the month of December. Click on the links below to read the article(s).
- Cross-Border Export of Power
- The Law & Practice of Transporting Dangerous Goods by Sea in Malaysia
- Statutory Assignment vs Equitable Assignment
- Understanding the US-China Transshipment Issues from a Malaysian Perspective
- Extra-Territorial Effect of Malaysian Law on Corporate Liability
- Carrying Out Fair Termination in Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 13 December 2023 – FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, has been awarded ‘Best Companies to Work for in Asia 2023’ by HR Asia for three years in a row for strong employee engagement within its corporate culture and exemplary human resource management practices. FedEx received a second ‘Asia Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)’ award, honoring the company’s efforts in promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace. In addition, FedEx was also honored with the ‘2023 MY AMCHAM Cares’ award presented by the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) in Malaysia for the fourth consecutive year.
Winners of the HR Asia awards were evaluated based on a set of criteria spanning three categories – leadership and organization, emotional engagement and team dynamics in which team members were asked to rate the company. The HR Asia awards aims at identifying Asia’s employers of choice across thirteen countries/territories in the region. Its purpose is to recognize companies based on HR practices, and also companies that demonstrate high levels of employee engagement coupled by excellent workplace cultures.
“We are privileged to be recognized with these esteemed awards that reflect our dedication to cultivating a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace for our team members,” said Tien Long Woon, managing director of FedEx Express Malaysia. “Anchored in our People-first philosophy, we continue to focus on empowering and supporting our team members to create an impact, learn and grow, and spread their wings. As we commemorate our 30th anniversary in Malaysia, these accolades symbolize the enduring commitment and exceptional performance of our team members in creating an environment where they are inspired to deliver the Purple Promise, to make every FedEx experience outstanding and deliver service excellence.”
In addition, FedEx was recognized by AMCHAM Malaysia for its continuous commitment to propelling corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the country. For two years in a row, FedEx received the recognition of ‘Champion Level’ for fostering positive societal impact spanning five key areas: Sustainability, Strategy, Measurability, Communications and Partnerships. A significant part of these initiatives include the FedEx / JA International Trade Challenge, which has benefitted more than 8,600 students for the past fifteen years by nurturing young talents to adopt an entrepreneurial mindset geared toward international trade. FedEx also supports local communities through initiatives such as the vegetable farming program, demonstrating the company’s commitment to sustainability and community well-being as part of the global FedEx Cares initiative. Continuing this momentum, FedEx employees celebrated the company’s 30th year in Malaysia through planting 100 trees in Penang and Johor. This initiative helps preserve Malaysia’s natural heritage and promotes sustainable food practices through the creation of a food forest and seed bank.
Halim Hong & Quek (‘HHQ’), the Malaysian law firm member of Andersen Global, has appointed Ong Johnson and Lo Khai Yi as joint heads of its newly launched Technology Group. The group is set up to collaborate closely with clients, aiding them in navigating legal, regulatory, and commercial challenges associated with technology and capitalizing on the industry’s growing opportunities. The effective date of their appointment is December 1, 2023.
Expressing his thoughts on the appointment, Johnson stated, “Given the spotlight on technology and its global impact, assuming this role is particularly exciting. As legal frameworks catch up with the swift digitalisation of economies, our clients are confronted with both challenges and opportunities. I eagerly anticipate collaborating more closely with our talented colleagues in HHQ and Andersen Global members across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) to harness our collective strategic capabilities and keep our clients ahead of the curve.”
In addition, Khai Yi shared his perspective, stating, “I am honoured to take on the role of co-head of the Technology Group at such a pivotal time. The evolving landscape of technology law presents a spectrum of opportunities and complexities. Collaborating with Johnson and the esteemed HHQ team, I look forward to contributing to the growth and success of our clients in this dynamic sector.”
The launch of the practice aligns with heightened activity in the Asia Pacific region, according to Dato’ Quek Ngee Meng, Managing Partner of HHQ. He remarked, “The APAC region is experiencing increased activity as the demand for technology accelerates. Given the rapid development of technology and artificial intelligence, every company is now a tech company. Therefore, the Technology sector is of utmost importance to our clients and our firm. Johnson and Khai Yi, both rising star partners, bring technical expertise and innovative mindsets that will prove highly valuable to our clients. We eagerly anticipate their contributions to HHQ.”
Founded in the year 2000, HHQ has seamlessly integrated top-notch legal proficiency and effective stewardship to provide outstanding service and outcome-oriented solutions. It has gained recognition as a prominent firm in the Asia Pacific region, particularly in the areas of Real Estate and Corporate/M&A practices. As of January 1, 2023, HHQ proudly became a member firm of Andersen Global, an association of legally separate, independent member firms spanning across more than 170 countries globally.
