About Us
A practice built around difficult conversations
We started Sahabat Advocates because we noticed that people on both sides of a workplace dispute often had the same basic need — someone who would speak plainly with them about where they actually stood.
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Sahabat — a word that means companion
The name was a deliberate choice. Employment disputes are rarely just legal problems; they are personal ones. People come to us at difficult points in their working lives — after a dismissal letter arrives without warning, after months of a hostile working environment, after realising that the company handbook they were handed on day one offers them very little actual protection.
We opened our doors in Johor Bahru because the southern region of Peninsular Malaysia has a distinctive employment landscape. Proximity to Singapore means many workers here hold cross-border arrangements or have employment contracts that do not clearly specify which jurisdiction's law governs. SMEs in Iskandar Malaysia and the surrounding industrial zones have grown quickly and their HR frameworks have not always kept pace.
Our founding team brought together experience from both litigation and in-house HR advisory work. That combination shapes how we approach every matter — we understand what it looks like from a management desk as well as from a legal one, which makes our advice more grounded and our documents easier for real organisations to follow.
Our Mission
Clarity, not persuasion
We do not think our job is to talk you into taking a particular course of action. Our job is to give you an honest picture of your situation under Malaysian employment law — including the aspects that may not favour your position — so that you can make an informed decision.
That means telling an employee when the facts are unlikely to support an Industrial Court representation. It means telling an employer when a dismissal process has gaps that a Section 20 claim could exploit. It means recommending conciliation when it is genuinely the faster and fairer route, rather than one that generates more billable hours.
12+
Years Combined Practice
340+
Clients Advised
Johor
Rooted Here
Our Team
The people you will work with
Razif Ahmad
Principal Advocate
Called to the Malaysian Bar in 2012, Razif has spent his career in employment matters and Industrial Court representation. He brings a straightforward manner to both hearing rooms and client consultations.
Nadia Yusof
Senior Associate
Nadia focuses on HR advisory and policy drafting. Before joining Sahabat Advocates, she spent four years as an in-house HR specialist for a manufacturing group in Pasir Gudang, which shapes how she approaches employer-side work.
Chong Kai Wen
Associate
Kai Wen handles case management, document preparation, and legal research. He has a particular interest in the procedural aspects of Industrial Court proceedings and keeps the team current on new awards.
How We Work
Professional standards we hold ourselves to
Strict Confidentiality
Legal professional privilege applies to all consultations. We treat client information with the same care regardless of whether a matter proceeds to formal representation.
Written Advice Summaries
After a consultation, we provide a brief written summary of the key points discussed and the pathways outlined. This gives you something to refer back to rather than relying on memory.
Malaysian Bar Compliance
All advocates hold current practising certificates issued by the Malaysian Bar. We comply with the Legal Profession Act 1976 and the professional conduct standards governing Malaysian legal practice.
PDPA 2010 Compliance
We handle all personal data in accordance with the Personal Data Protection Act 2010. Client data is used only for the purpose for which it was shared and is not disclosed without consent.
Conflict Screening
Before accepting any new matter, we run a conflict-of-interest check to ensure we can act without compromise. If a conflict exists, we tell you promptly and can provide a referral.
Regular Legislative Updates
Employment law in Malaysia has seen significant amendments in recent years. We review legislative developments and Industrial Court awards regularly to ensure our advice reflects current law.
Employment Law in Malaysia
Understanding the framework we work within
Malaysian employment law rests primarily on two statutes: the Employment Act 1955, which governs terms and conditions of employment such as leave entitlements, working hours, and termination notice, and the Industrial Relations Act 1967, which addresses trade unions, collective bargaining, and the rights of employees to seek redress against dismissal. The Industrial Court, which sits separately from the civil courts, has jurisdiction over trade disputes and individual dismissal cases referred by the Minister of Human Resources.
The 2022 amendments to the Employment Act introduced several meaningful changes, including extending coverage to all employees regardless of monthly salary, granting flexible working arrangement request rights, and updating paternity leave provisions. Employers who have not reviewed their handbooks and employment contracts since these amendments came into force may find that their documentation no longer reflects the law.
At Sahabat Advocates, our work spans both the employee and employer sides of these frameworks. We assist employees in understanding their rights at the Department of Industrial Relations, pursuing Section 20 representations, and deciding whether a matter warrants Industrial Court proceedings. For employers, we review and draft documentation that reduces exposure and reflects current statutory requirements. Our Johor Bahru location allows us to serve clients across the southern region of Peninsular Malaysia, including those in Iskandar Malaysia's development corridors and the port area of Pasir Gudang.
Ready to talk through your situation?
Whether you are an employee or an employer, a conversation with us starts with listening — not with a standard script.
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