Department profile
Skrine

Employment & Industrial Relations

Asia-Pacific Guide 2026 : Malaysia

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Skrine

Rankings

About

Provided by Skrine

Dedicated to address employment-related issues that arise in the workplace, Skrine’s highly rated Employment practice is committed to provide practical, result-oriented and customised legal solutions.

We have been recognised in Chambers Asia-Pacific and the Legal 500 Asia-Pacific. We have been praised for giving clients “

probably the best advice [they] have ever received ”(Chambers Asia-Pacific), and for its “excellent response times and sound, up–to–date industry knowledge”  (Chambers Asia-Pacific).

Selvamalar Alagaratnam, who has been described as "highly experienced, professional and wonderful to deal with" (Chambers Asia-Pacific) heads this practice and lead an experienced team of lawyers acting on a diverse range of contentious and advisory matters. The practice provides integrated support to a wide range of clients in various industries on all employment related matters including dismissals, compliance, trade unions, protection of confidential and proprietary information, and investigations.

Industries (4)

  • Employee Fraud Management and Investigations
  • Employment Advisory and Compliance
  • Employment Disputes
  • Trade Unions, Collective Bargaining and Collective Agreements

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Employment & Industrial Relations - Malaysia

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Skrine has a respected employment law practice in Malaysia, with a wide breadth of expertise in contentious and advisory matters. The team possesses strong knowledge of unfair dismissal and sexual harassment claims, as well as retrenchment and breach of confidentiality matters. The firm also assists multinational corporate clients with immigration issues and acts for Malaysian and foreign clients from many sectors, including real estate, engineering and energy.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Skrine acted for TH Properties in a matter where its former employee had brought a claim for constructive dismissal after being instructed to transfer to another location.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Skrine have a deep understanding of the legal landscape ensuring that clients are well-informed and positioned.

    Employment & Industrial Relations respondentAsia-Pacific

  • Skrine are responsive. They know the law and are also able to provide practical advice.

    Employment & Industrial Relations respondentAsia-Pacific

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Selvamalar Alagaratnam
    Selvamalar Alagaratnam

    Selvamalar Alagaratnam

    Selvamalar Alagaratnam is a partner based in Kuala Lumpur. She is well respected for her experience working on employment issues such as restructuring exercises, unjust dismissals and pension benefits.

    • Selvamalar Alagaratnam is a walking encyclopedia on Malaysian employment law.

      Employment & Industrial Relations respondentAsia-Pacific

    • What sets Selva apart is her ability to navigate complex matters with remarkable composure. Even in contentious situations, she remains composed, strategic and solution-oriented.

      Employment & Industrial Relations respondentAsia-Pacific
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  • Siew Li Foo
    Siew Li Foo

    Siew Li Foo

    Foo Siew Li is a partner noted for her coverage of contentious and non-contentious employment issues. She is involved in employment litigation and internal investigations, and also advises employers on restructuring.

    • Siew Li is a very committed and responsible lawyer.

      Employment & Industrial Relations respondentAsia-Pacific

    • Foo Siew Li possesses extensive knowledge in the sector and her ability to address situational complexities is truly commendable.

      Employment & Industrial Relations respondentAsia-Pacific
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Ranked Individuals at Skrine (2)

Malaysia

  • Profile image of Selvamalar Alagaratnam

    Selvamalar Alagaratnam

    Head of Employment & Industrial Relations

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Members

Provided by Skrine

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