Charlie Jasmine & Shahfina (CJS)

Chua is a co-founder of CJS with a wealth of expertise in Regulatory & Compliance, as well as Personal Data Protection & Privacy Law matters. With a practical and detail-oriented approach, he advises both local and international clients on regulatory frameworks impacting their business operations in Malaysia.

 

He regularly advises clients on business establishment, licensing, import and export regulations, customs procedures, and compliance with local statutory requirements. Chua is well-versed in engaging with key regulatory authorities, including the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), to support clients through complex approval and licensing processes. He also regularly advises his clients on personal data protection & privacy law issues, offering effective legal solutions to ensure compliance with the applicable regulatory framework.

 

Called to the Bar of England & Wales and a member of the Honourable Society of Middle Temple, Chua began his legal career in the United Kingdom with a reputable law firm in Liverpool, where he handled licensing, immigration, and criminal matters. Upon returning to Malaysia, he served as a compliance and legal executive for a Japan-based multinational corporation, overseeing its internal legal operations and ensuring regulatory adherence across business functions.

 

Chua’s international training, coupled with hands-on experience in both corporate and regulatory environments, positions him as a trusted advisor to clients navigating compliance and operational risks in today’s increasingly regulated business landscape.

 

Off the clock, Chua trades legal briefs for slow runs—staying sharp, one steady stride at a time.

Testimonials

 

“Chua was instrumental in helping us with our business operations in Malaysia. His understanding of the regulatory landscape, from MIDA approvals, PDPA requirements to licensing and customs procedures, saved us months of delays. His responsiveness and strategic approach gave us complete confidence throughout the process.” – client feedback

“Navigating import-export regulations and Malaysian customs laws can be daunting, but Chua made it simple. He engaged directly with the authorities and gave us clear, actionable advice. We now rely on him regularly for our regulatory compliance matters in Malaysia.” – client feedback

Notable Experience

 

  • Sector-Specific Licensing and Statutory Compliance: Advised international and local corporate clients across various sectors—including manufacturing, technology, and logistics—on statutory compliance and industry-specific licensing requirements.

  • Advising on Business Establishment and Licensing in Malaysia: Advised a range of foreign and domestic investors on the legal and regulatory requirements for setting up operations in Malaysia, including company incorporation, business structuring, equity conditions, and sector-specific licensing. This included preparing and submitting applications to regulatory bodies such as the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) and relevant licensing authorities to ensure seamless market entry.

  • Regulatory Compliance for Cross-Border Trade: Provided strategic legal guidance to multinational clients on compliance with Malaysian import and export regulations. Assisted in navigating customs procedures, tariff classifications, and trade-related documentation in accordance with the Customs Act 1967 and related regulations. Frequently liaised with the Royal Malaysian Customs Department to resolve regulatory hurdles and ensure compliance with trade facilitation measures.

  • Advisory on Investment Incentives and Regulatory Approvals: Acted for clients in securing investment approvals, tax incentives, and manufacturing licenses from the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI). Advised on qualifying criteria under investment promotion policies, assisted with application preparation, and coordinated end-to-end approval processes.

  • Sector-Specific Licensing and Statutory Compliance: Advised clients across various sectors—including manufacturing, technology, logistics, and healthcare—on statutory compliance and industry-specific licensing requirements. This includes licensing under the Industrial Coordination Act, Halal certification, and permits from agencies such as the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Department of Environment (DOE), tailored to the client’s operational model.

  • Strategic Engagement with Government Authorities: Effectively represented clients in direct engagements and consultations with regulatory bodies such as MITI, MIDA, and other governmental departments. These engagements often involved complex negotiations, clarification of regulatory positions, and advocacy for client interests in areas such as licensing disputes or policy interpretation.

  • Ongoing Legal Compliance Support for Business Operations: Provided ongoing advisory support to multinational corporations on maintaining compliance with evolving Malaysian legal requirements, including regulatory reporting, statutory filings, and employment law compliance. Supported internal compliance teams with legal audits, training, and policy implementation aligned with Malaysian laws and best practices.