Desmond Liew Zhi Hong

Desmond is a Partner based in the Kuala Lumpur office. With more than nine years of Malaysian taxation experience, including four years as a tax professional at a Big Four firm, Desmond has been recognized as one of the key tax professionals in Malaysia by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific for both 2022 and 2023.

His practice focuses on all aspects of tax law. He has regularly represented taxpayers in tax disputes and rendered tax advice for MNCs, SMEs and high net worth individuals.

Desmond has been entrusted with high-value corporate transactions, where he exercises and renders advice on direct and indirect tax issues arising from restructuring, cross-border transactions, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory compliance, employment, real estate, technology, media and telecom, intellectual property as well as insurance matters.

Apart from tax advisory and planning, Desmond is well-versed in facilitating and handling tax audits and investigations, dispute resolution proceedings with the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia, roundtable discussions with the Royal Malaysian Customs Department as well as disputes with the Stamp Office.

Desmond also acts for taxpayers from various industries in tax litigations at all tiers of the Malaysian Courts, Special Commissioners of Income Tax, and Customs Appeal Tribunal.

Desmond is an active committee member of the National Young Lawyers and Pupils Committee at the Bar Council and an associate member of the Chartered Tax Institute of Malaysia.