A Firm Grounded in Malaysian Environmental Law
Perwira Law was established to fill a genuine gap in Malaysian legal practice — a firm that takes environmental compliance seriously as a primary discipline, not an afterthought.
Back to HomeFounded on a Commitment to Environmental Integrity
Perwira Law was founded in Kuala Lumpur with a clear purpose: to help Malaysian businesses understand and meet their obligations under environmental law without unnecessary confusion or alarm. From our base at Jalan Sultan Ismail, we serve project proponents, manufacturers, industrial operators, and companies navigating enforcement actions from the Department of Environment.
The Environmental Quality Act 1974 and its subsidiary legislation cover a broad range of business activities — from large-scale development requiring Environmental Impact Assessments to ongoing operational requirements around scheduled waste, effluent discharge, and emissions. Many businesses find the regulatory landscape complex to navigate, particularly when managing the technical work of environmental consultants alongside the legal framework.
Our practice works at the intersection of that legal framework and real operational circumstances. We do not offer generic legal services — our focus is specifically on environmental compliance, and that concentration allows us to give more useful, contextually relevant advice.
Our Mission
To provide clear, practical legal guidance that helps Malaysian businesses operate responsibly within the environmental regulatory framework — and to represent those businesses with measured professionalism when regulatory challenges arise.
Our Values
- Clarity — We explain complex obligations in plain terms
- Proportionality — We match our response to the situation at hand
- Candour — We give honest assessments, including where prospects are uncertain
- Cooperation — We prefer constructive regulatory engagement where possible
Location & Reach
Based in Kuala Lumpur, we serve clients across Peninsular Malaysia — including the Klang Valley, Selangor, Johor, Penang, and Perak. We work with clients remotely where appropriate and attend in-person meetings and hearings across the country.
The Perwira Law Team
A focused group of environmental law practitioners with backgrounds in regulatory advisory, environmental science law, and commercial litigation.
Zulaikha Ariffin
Managing Partner
Called to the Malaysian Bar with over fourteen years in environmental and administrative law. Zulaikha leads the firm's regulatory advisory practice and oversees complex enforcement defence matters.
Navin Rajan
Senior Associate
Specialises in EIA legal support and scheduled waste compliance. Navin has a background in environmental science prior to law, which informs how he works with technical consultants on complex projects.
Siti Khairunnisa
Associate
Handles pollution control compliance work and environmental licensing applications. Siti brings a methodical approach to compliance auditing and regulatory reporting obligations for industrial clients.
How We Maintain Quality in Our Practice
Bar Council Registration
All advocates and solicitors at Perwira Law are registered members of the Malaysian Bar and hold current practising certificates as required under the Legal Profession Act 1976.
Continuing Legal Education
Environmental legislation in Malaysia evolves regularly. Our team participates in Continuing Legal Education programmes and monitors DOE regulatory updates, new subsidiary legislation, and tribunal decisions.
Client Confidentiality
Legal professional privilege and solicitor–client confidentiality are fundamental to our practice. Client information and instructions are handled with strict discretion at every stage of an engagement.
Professional Conduct Rules
We adhere to the Rules of the Legal Profession (Practice and Etiquette) 1978 and the Legal Profession (Publicity) Rules. Our advice reflects professional obligations, not simply commercial interests.
Clear Engagement Terms
Every client engagement begins with a clear written letter of engagement setting out scope, fees, and responsibilities. We believe clarity at the outset prevents misunderstanding later.
Professional Indemnity Coverage
The firm maintains professional indemnity insurance in line with Bar Council requirements, providing an additional layer of assurance for clients engaging legal services.
Environmental Law Practice in the Malaysian Context
The Department of Environment administers the Environmental Quality Act 1974 and a growing body of subsidiary regulations that affect businesses across sectors — from construction and manufacturing to agriculture, waste management, and energy. Understanding which regulations apply to your operations, and how they interact, requires both legal knowledge and familiarity with how enforcement works in practice.
Perwira Law works with project proponents who need legal clarity during Environmental Impact Assessment preparation, industrial operators seeking to confirm their scheduled waste and effluent compliance positions, and companies that have received enforcement notices and need a measured, constructive response. Our practice does not involve broad commercial litigation — we stay within environmental and related administrative law, which allows depth rather than breadth.
The firm is based in Kuala Lumpur's business district and regularly engages with matters across the Klang Valley, Selangor, Johor Bahru, George Town, and Ipoh. Where clients are located outside the Klang Valley, we work flexibly to provide effective legal support without requiring unnecessary travel.
Speak with Our Team
Whether you have a specific compliance question or want to understand how environmental law applies to your operations, we are happy to have an initial conversation.
Contact Perwira Law