CEO Insights Magazine

The legal department serves as the guardian of the company's compliance with laws and regulations, ensuring operational adherence to industry standards. This team of adept legal professionals, led by Sam Loh Chin Hau as the Head of Legal at Avaland Berhad, plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the company's commercial interests. With Avaland's exponential growth as a prominent property developer in Malaysia, which is also listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia, Sam's leadership ensures meticulous oversight of real estate laws, optimizing transactions, relationships, and sector interactions. This diligent approach not only assures legal compliance but also fortifies the company's position, fostering trust and reinforcing Avaland's reputation in the industry.

In an open interview with us, Sam shared details about the organization's operations, provided insights into the legal industry's functioning, and offered valuable perspectives on both his personal and professional experiences.

Tell us about your professional history and encounters and what is it that motivates you. Elaborate on the factors that currently propel you as a leader in the industry.

Believing in the inherent purpose of every journey, I embarked on mine with admission to the Malaysian Bar in 1999. Transitioning from managing a private law firm for over 12 years to assuming roles as an in-house legal advisor across various sectors, including positions at Matrix Concept Holdings Berhad and my current role, has shaped my extensive 20-year-plus career.

At the core of my dedication to the legal domain lies the fundamental belief that 'Legal Frameworks are the bedrock of all businesses.' Contracts and agreements form the cornerstone, ensuring equitable protection for all involved, irrespective of industry. Emphasizing these legal foundations isn't merely advisable; it's essential for ensuring business sustainability and long-term relevance.

Define Avaland Berhad as an entity and elucidate its present standing in the market.

Our company has a significant history in the property industry. Formerly recognized as MCT Berhad, we had a rebranding e xercise on 7 th July 2023 to change the name to Avaland Berhad. This new corporate image is to align with our parent company, Ayala Land, the most established property developer in the Philippines. Locally in Malaysia, our company holds strong to its vision of being an innovative and timeless value creator for our projects. Concerning market positioning, our aspiration is to secure a spot among the top 10 developers in Malaysia.

Share insights into your approach to leadership. Discuss the principles or methods that guide your leadership style.

My primary approach to leadership is thriving on a foundation of effective procedures, outlined in our Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). I firmly believe in cultivating a culture of mentorship and guidance within the team. Encouraging an environment where every individual feels empowered to voice their opinions is essential to me, creating an atmosphere in the team where collaborative insights flourish. It’s crucial to acknowledge that communication is a two-way street. In short, my style emphasizes none other than flexibility and open discussions, I strive for the legal team to become creators of value, showcasing initiative and skill development at every turn.

What measures do you take to stay abreast of current industry trends, ensuring your organization is well-positioned for the future?

In the pursuit of growth and staying relevant, I prioritize staying abreast of evolving trends in both the property market and the legal sphere. Both personal and professional advancement is exemplified through continuous enrollment in courses and seminars from reputable sources including Successful Negotiation Strategies through Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Singapore, and Mergers and Acquisitions course by Imperial College Business School, UK. My proactive approach in this regard is a key aspect of my professional involvement and contributing value to my company.

What significant obstacles did you face when initially establishing yourself? How did you navigate these challenges to emerge as a successful professional?

Instead of the term 'successful' professional, I would rather see this as a journey, an endless journey of fulfilling my purpose and vocation. Managing a company’s legal aspects necessitates not just legal expertise but also adeptness in navigating multifaceted stakeholders’ dynamics across diverse backgrounds and seniority levels. This demands a different set of skills, particularly in dealing with the human element. Hence, it is my duty to guide and provide them with commercially astute advice and contribute to developing the strategic direction of the business within the relative legal frameworks. Success in this capacity is a culmination of experience and exposure – effectively managing stakeholder relationships while ensuring timely and cost-effective results. This is the essence of delivering tangible value to the company.

Sam Loh Chin Hau, Head – Legal, Avaland

With a passion spanning over two decades in the legal sector, Sam combines legal prowess with a robust understanding of business strategies. Sam demonstrates significant expertise in managing contractual disputes and resolutions. His adept negotiation skills are complemented by a strong foundation in business acumen. A seasoned legal professional with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) attained from the University of Buckingham, England.