Datuk Yew Jen Kie retired as a Court of Appeal Judge on 15.10. 2019.
Graduating from the London School of Economics and Political School with LLB (Hons) in 1976, she was admitted as Barrister-at-Law (Inner Temple) in 1978.
Upon returning to Malaysia, she joined the Legal and Judicial Service. She had served as Magistrate, Senior Assistant Registrar, Deputy Registrar (1979-1989) and Sessions Court Judge (1990-2006). On 10.8.2007, she was appointed a Judicial Commissioner of the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak and elevated as a Judge of the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak on 14.4.2010. She was appointed as the Judge of the Court of Appeal Malaysia on 27.11.2018.
After retirement, she acts as an Arbitrator as well as Chairperson of the Sarawak Institute of Arbitrators and Dispute Resolution.
Robert Lau Hui Yew, currently serving as a Senator in the Dewan Negara (Senate) since his appointment by the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong in 2020, is a distinguished advocate with over 30 years of legal practice in Sarawak. As the founding and senior partner of Stephen Robert & Wong Advocates, he leads the firm’s operations across Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu, and Miri, with expertise in litigation, mediation, and arbitration.
His involvement with the Sarawak Institute of Arbitrators and Dispute Resolution (SIADR) aligns with his longstanding dedication to promoting alternative dispute resolution. Robert has played a pivotal role in establishing mediation frameworks across Sarawak and continues to champion arbitration as a crucial mechanism for resolving disputes efficiently.
A former leader in various legal and mediation initiatives, Robert has been instrumental in organizing training programs and mediation courses throughout the state. His extensive legal and public service experience, including his time as a member of the Advocates Association of Sarawak and in local government, greatly enhances the mission of SIADR.
As a Senator, public speaker, and advocate for the Malaysia Agreement 1963, Robert Lau Hui Yew brings valuable insight and leadership to SIADR. His continued contributions ensure that SIADR remains a vital institution supporting professional standards and best practices in dispute resolution across Sarawak.
Mr. John Ko Wai Seng was educated at St. Thomas’s School, Kuching and attended the London School of Economics & Political Science, University of London for his tertiary studies. After graduating with a Bachelor of Laws (Hons.) and Master of Laws, he enrolled with the Council of Legal Education Inns of Court where he completed the Bar Finals and was admitted to the Bar of Inner Temple as a Barrister of Law on 17th July 1975. Returning to Sarawak, Malaysia he was admitted as an advocate on the Rolls of the High Court of Borneo (now known as High Court of Sabah & Sarawak) on 26th November 1975.
Since 1975, Mr. Ko was employed by Messrs. Battenberg & Talma, Advocates, Kuching, as a Legal Assistant and later became a partner and is now currently an Associate of the legal firm. He was appointed a Commissioners of Oath and a Notary Public in the course of his legal practice.
From 1987 to 1996, Mr. Ko served as President of the Advocates Association of Sarawak, during that period he served ex-officio as a member of the Inquiry Committee set up under the Advocates Ordinance (Cap. 110) for disciplinary proceedings against advocates. In that period he was also appointed as Member of the Rules Committee (Overseeing Court Rules of Practice) set up under Courts of Judicature Act 1964.
Mr. Ko attended the LEADR course and received a Certificate of Mediation in February 2002 and on 23rd August 2007 he was certified as an accredited mediator by the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak. Mr. Ko was from 2002 to 2009, a member of Medical Research and Ethics Committee of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak.
From 27.10.2009 – 26.10.2012, Mr. Ko was appointed a Judicial Commissioner of the High Court in Sabah and Sarawak and served as resident judge in High Court in Tawau and later High Court Bintulu.
Mr. Ko was from 2019 to 2022 appointed Chairman of the Inquiry Committee set up under the Advocates Ordinance (Cap. 110).
Mr. Ko was elected on 3rd May 2024 as Pro-tem Secretary of the Sarawak Institute of Arbitration and Dispute Resolution and later after its registration was elected on 5th July 2024 as its Secretary.
Sylvester Lai Tze Yang is an Advocate of the High Court in Sabah and Sarawak and has been a member of the Sarawak Bar since 2018. He is a law graduate from the University of Northumbria at Newcastle and holder of the Certificate in Legal Practice from the Malaysian Legal Profession Qualifying Board. Sylvester’s area of legal practice is in general litigation, with a particular focus on contractual and commercial disputes, probate and administration matters, matrimonial and family affairs, land acquisitions, and construction disputes.
In addition to his litigation practice, Sylvester is an active Alternative Dispute Resolution (“ADR”) practitioner, frequently involved in statutory construction adjudication, as well as both domestic and international arbitration on matters originating from Sarawak. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (“CIArb”), the Malaysian Institute of Arbitrators (“MIArb”), and the Asian Institute of Alternative Dispute Resolution (“AIADR”).
Sylvester is also a registered Insolvency Nominee, equipped to oversee voluntary arrangements in insolvency proceedings. Known for his pragmatic and client-focused approach, he consistently ensures that both reputational and financial risks are carefully managed for optimal outcomes.
Trilingual in his communications, Sylvester easily navigates the linguistic and cultural nuances of his diverse client base. And when he’s not advocating in court, Sylvester can occasionally be found at the bar or café —enjoying a good drink with colleagues and friends, indulging in conversations that often extend beyond legal matters.
Alex Ngu Sze Shae is a highly experienced legal practitioner, managing partner at Alex Jason & Co., with expertise in arbitration, mediation, and construction law. Admitted to practice in Malaysia and Australia, Alex is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and is empaneled as an arbitrator and mediator with several prestigious arbitration centers across Asia. With over a decade of experience in the legal field, he is also actively involved in pro-bono initiatives and regularly participates as a speaker at international conferences and legal workshops.
HII YEW HING joined the firm in year 2020 as a Chambering Student and has admitted as an Advocate of the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak at Sarawak in year 2021. Upon admission to the Sarawak Bar he was retained as Legal Assistant thereafter. He holds a Bachelor of Jurisprudence (Hons) External, University of Malaya and a Certificate in Legal Practice (CLP) from the Legal Professional Qualifying Board of Malaysia. He also obtained a Professional Diploma in International Arbitration by the Brickfields Asia College and The Malaysia Institute of Arbitrators. He is a member of the Advocates Association of Sarawak and will join the Malaysia Institute of Arbitrators as a member.
Before entering practice, he served as Interpreter in Industrial Court Malaysia at Sabah and Sarawak Branch and later changed its name to Industrial Court Malaysia Sarawak Brach and also assisting in the Social Security (SOSCO) Appellant Board’s proceeding whenever there is sitting through Sarawak.
His practice covers all aspect among other include Employment and Industrial Relations Law. He also advising corporate clients on the due and proper procedures or exercises of their managerial prerogatives based on good governance and accepted industrial relations practices and well-established decided principles of the Industrial Jurisprudence. Apart from advising on cases involving workplace misconduct, poor performance and fixed term contracts, he has also conducted an in-house speaker, for in-house training for corporate clients with regards to the Employment and Industrial Relations Law.
Henry Ling is an advocate based in Sarawak, recognised for his significant appearances before the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Federal Court.
As a partner at the well-established Ling & Wong Advocates in Bintulu, he possesses a comprehensive and diverse portfolio of legal practice, encompassing commercial matters with a strong focus on construction law, corporate governance, partnerships, and the oil and gas sectors.
Henry’s legal training is exceptional, having obtained his LLB (Honours) from Cardiff University, Wales. He was admitted to the English Bar and became a barrister-at-law at the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn. He furthered his expertise with a Master of Laws in International Commercial Law at the University of Nottingham, England. Additionally, he is an accredited mediator with LEADR and MADR-Plus (Master) (Australia) and is a proud member of the Sarawak Bar.
Outside of his legal practice, Henry is a passionate social advocate dedicated to various humanitarian causes. He serves as the President of the Persatuan Klan Lin Bahagian Bintulu Sarawak (PKKBBS), a registered society aimed at fostering social values and beliefs among its members while addressing the evolving needs and challenges within the community. His leadership promotes unity, goodwill, and harmony among the diverse cultural and ethnic groups in Sarawak. Furthermore, as the President of the Persatuan Tarian Bintulu (PTB), he actively explores and upholds the rich cultural heritage of the region, empowering its members through skills development and personal growth initiatives.
Henry Ling combines his professional acumen with a strong commitment to social responsibility, striving to make a positive impact in both the legal and wider community spheres.w firms. He is also actively appearing as lead counsel in Industrial Court and Labour Court in Sarawak.
Keith Chin
LL.B.(Hons) Sheffield
Barrister-at-Law, Lincoln’s Inn
Keith Chin is a seasoned legal professional with over 27 years of experience in private legal practice, specializing in litigation, corporate law, alternative dispute resolution (ADR), and conflict management. He is a practicing advocate and an accredited mediator, with a personal interest in Solution-Focused Coaching.
Keith has served as a City Councillor for Miri City Council from 2013 to 2019 and continues to contribute his legal expertise to various registered societies, advising on matters such as trusteeship, public accountability, and office bearers’ duties. He currently holds the position of Independent Non-Executive Director at a listed company, where he serves as Chairman of the Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Committee and a member of the Audit Committee.
As the managing partner of a medium-sized law firm, Keith oversees a team of 7 lawyers and 18 support staff, providing strategic leadership and legal guidance. He is also an active pupil master, mentoring the next generation of lawyers annually.
Keith’s recent areas of focus include land arbitration under the Sarawak Land Code, judicial reviews against government authorities, corporate dispute resolution, company winding-up and restructuring processes, and the implementation of the Strata Management Ordinance 2019 (Sarawak) for strata title developments.
Abigail Lim Jiunn is a partner at S.H. Lim & Co. Advocates in Miri, Sarawak, where she has practiced since 2013. She holds an LL.B (Hons) from the University of Leeds and completed the BPTC at UWE Bristol, earning her call to the Bar of England and Wales at Gray’s Inn, London.
In addition to being a Commissioner for Oaths, Abigail is an ADR Group Accredited Mediator and certified Civil and Commercial Mediator. She combines her expertise in litigation and mediation to offer practical, client-focused solutions, with a strong emphasis on resolving disputes amicably.
Abigail’s professionalism, integrity, and dedication to both legal advocacy and ADR make her a valuable contributor to the Sarawak legal community and the Sarawak Institute of Arbitrators and Dispute Resolutions (SIADR).
Mr. Arthur Lee Cheng Chuan is a University of London Honours graduate and was admitted to the English Bar by the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn in 1987. Upon his return, he was admitted as an Advocate in the High Court in Borneo in 1987 and has been actively practising since then. He was then appointed a Notary Public.
He is a member of the Advocates Association of Sarawak and has at various times in the past, held the post of committee member, treasurer, secretary and Auditor of the Association He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Malaysian Institute of Arbitrators, LEADR (Australia), and a Fellow of the Asian Institute of Alternative Dispute Resolution.
He is also a certified Mediator trained by LEADR (Australia) in a course approved by the Malaysian Mediation Centre and the Bar Council of Malaysia and have completed a Master Mediation Course (trainer) organised by the Sarawak Mediation Centre in association with ADR-Plus Pty. Ltd., Sydney, Australia. He is certified as a Master Mediator in the High Court in Sabah and Sarawak and is on the panel of the Court Assisted Mediation Scheme that was once implemented to reduce the backlog cases in court. He was also an appointed Mediator of The Pusat Mediasi COVID-19 (PMC-19) by the Prime Minister Office, a mediation centre which was established by the Government to assist public in resolving their dispute in respect of any inability to perform contractual obligation arising from any of the categories of contracts specified in the Schedule [Section 7] of the Temporary Measures For Reducing The Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) 2020 [Act 829] due to the preventive measures prescribed, made or taken under the Movement Control Order to control or prevent the spread of COVID-19.
He is a registered Trademark Agent and Industrial Design Agent. He is also a licensed company secretary in Malaysia. He is a recipient of Ahli Bintang Sarawak (“ABS”), by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak, for his contribution to the Sarawak Scout Council.
He has been in active legal practice since 1987 and appear frequently in Court of Appeal and Federal Court in Malaysia, as appellate counsel for the firm’s cases, as well as lead counsel for appeals for other law firms. He is also actively appearing as lead counsel in Industrial Court and Labour Court in Sarawak.
