Karim Ariez graduated from Universiti Malaya with an LL.B (Hons) in 2022.

He underwent an internship with PETRONAS under Group Legal, in the Legal Downstream Department, and was placed in the Legal Pengerang Integrated Complex division in August 2021. He was later a paralegal at Mohanadass Partnership in February 2023. During his study years, he held the position of Head of the Faculty Achievements Bureau of UM Law Review – a student-run legal publication body – where he was tasked with interviewing, writing, and editing articles on the achievements of faculty members and alumni. In addition, he was also the founder and secretary of ECOLAWGY UM, where he helped organise environment-related programs inside and outside of the faculty.

Karim was called to the Malaysian Bar and admitted to the Roll of Advocates and Solicitors of the High Court of Malaya in March 2024. He is currently part of our Senior Partner’s Office under the supervision of our Senior Partner, Dato’ Azmi Mohd Ali. Some of Karim’s assignments include:

Merger & Acquisition

• Advising Malaysia Aviation Group in relation to the divestment of 100% shares in MASwings Sdn Bhd to AirBorneo Holdings Sdn Bhd, an entity owned by the Government of Sarawak, which involves the preparation of share sale agreements, aircraft sale agreements, and agreements for the sale of spares and rotables, in addition to various advisory services.
• Advising an investment management company on a joint venture between two of its affiliated listed companies for the purpose of purchasing land, which involves the preparation of a shareholders’ agreement and other ancillary documents, in addition to various advisory services.
• Advising a local listed plantation company in the preparation of share sale agreements for the disposal of shares in oil-palm management companies in Malaysia.
• Advising a local listed plantation company in the preparation of a sale and purchase agreement for the disposal of land in Malaysia.
• Advised a US public listed company seeking to participate in oil and gas activities in Malaysia, which included advising on the potential structure for the local entity, drafting of formation agreements such as the JVSHA and other ancillary agreements, and incorporation of a local entity.
• Advised a listed private investment company on the disposal of office units, which involves the preparation of sale and purchase agreements and an EGM circular, in addition to various advisory services.
• Advised a Sarawak-based shipping company and assisted them in the preparation of transactional agreements and other ancillary documents for the acquisition of tugboats valued at RM47 million.
• Advised Amphenol Corporation and assisted with the due diligence on the Malaysian subsidiary of Connor Manufacturing Services.

General Corporate Advisory & Services

• Advised PETRONAS on compliance with Bursa’s Best Practices for Shariah Investing on an investment management agreement.
• Advised Bank Pertanian Malaysia Berhad (Agrobank) regarding the issue of disqualification of director under the Development Financial Institutions Act 2002 and the Companies Act 2016.
• Advised a local aircraft cargo company regarding potential legal actions against an international aircraft leasing company.
• Advised a Swiss-based arms manufacturing company regarding actions against a Malaysian defence equipment supplier.
• Advised an international engineering consulting firm regarding the classification of business in Malaysia and further assisted them with the incorporation of a local entity.
• Advised an armed forces cooperative regarding the acquisition and investment of land in the United Kingdom for the establishment of a residential apartment.
• Advised a local textile manufacturing company regarding legal issues arising from their commercial agreements with their supplier.
• Advised an Omani-based banking institution regarding the legal and regulatory requirements under Labuan laws.
• Advised a German-based law firm regarding the comparative legal assessment of PETRONAS and PETROS guidelines for foreign participation in the upstream industry in East and West Malaysia.
• Acted for Kepler Communications Inc. regarding the preparation of a consulting agreement.
• Acted for Volkswagen Group Malaysia Sdn Bhd in securing business operating and WRT licenses.
• Acted for Foot Locker Malaysia in securing business operating and WRT licenses.
• Acted for Tabung Haji Plantations Berhad in relation to the legalisation of international documents.
• Acted for BiCortex Languages in relation to the legalisation of international documents.

Relevant Publication

• The Legal and Business Issues Regarding the Importation of Electric Vehicles in Malaysia (https://www.azmilaw.com/insights/the-legal-and-business-issues-regarding-the-importation-of-electric-vehicles-in-malaysia/).
• Legal Aspects and Issues of Aircraft Lease Agreements in Malaysia (https://www.azmilaw.com/insights/legal-aspects-issues-of-aircraft-lease-agreements-in-malaysia/).
• How to Set Up a Company or Business in Sarawak (https://www.azmilaw.com/insights/how-to-set-up-a-company-or-business-in-sarawak/).