Our Story
About Pusaka Cendana
Pusaka Cendana was established in 2008 by a group of Malaysian lawyers who had each worked for several years in larger firms and noticed the same pattern: families dealing with a death were often passed between departments, given form letters, and left uncertain about timelines and costs. The practice was set up specifically to address that.
From the beginning, the office limited itself to estate and inheritance work. This was not a common decision at the time — most practices of similar size in Damansara Heights took on a wider range of matters. The founders believed, and continue to believe, that depth in one field produces better outcomes for clients than breadth across many.
The name reflects that purpose. Pusaka is the Malay term for inheritance — what is left behind and passed forward. Cendana refers to the sandalwood tree, which in Malaysian cultural tradition is associated with endurance and care. Together they describe what the office tries to do: handle what is left behind with the attention it deserves.
The practice has remained at its Jalan Dungun address since 2011 and has worked with families from across Malaysia — including those where estate assets are spread between states, or where some beneficiaries are living abroad. The legal systems involved in those cases are not always straightforward, and having worked through a range of them has been useful.
Our approach to first meetings is deliberate. There is no obligation to proceed after an initial consultation, and families are welcome to delay that first appointment for as long as they need. Bereavement does not follow a schedule, and neither do we.
Fees are stated plainly at the outset of any engagement and are not adjusted without discussion. At the conclusion of an administration, a full account of estate costs is provided to all beneficiaries.
Mission
To assist Malaysian families in settling estates carefully and without unnecessary pressure, providing clear information at every stage from the first enquiry to the final distribution.
Vision
A legal practice where families dealing with loss can obtain sound advice without feeling rushed, and where the complexity of inheritance law is explained in terms that make sense outside of a courtroom.
Values
Transparency in fees and timelines. Candour when a family does not need a lawyer. Patience with the pace that families set. Depth in the field we have chosen to work in.
The People
Our Team
Ahmad Razif bin Sulaiman
Founding Partner
Called to the Malaysian Bar in 1999. Ahmad Razif has handled estate matters for over two decades and leads the administration team on complex multi-asset cases.
Lim Cheng Yee
Senior Associate
Specialises in will preparation and cross-border estate matters. Cheng Yee joined the practice in 2013 after four years at a commercial firm in KL city centre.
Nalini Krishnan
Associate — Estate Administration
Handles day-to-day administration correspondence with banks, land registries and insurers. Nalini manages client updates and milestone communications for all ongoing files.
How We Work
Professional Standards
Bar Council Registration
All lawyers at Pusaka Cendana are registered members of the Malaysian Bar and hold current practising certificates.
Professional Indemnity
The practice carries professional indemnity insurance in accordance with the requirements of the Legal Profession Act 1976.
Client Confidentiality
All client matters are held in strict confidence under solicitor-client privilege. Estate details are shared only with authorised parties.
Written Fee Agreements
Every engagement begins with a written statement of fees and scope. No additional charges are introduced without prior written agreement.
Regular Client Updates
Families are notified at each milestone in the administration process. No file goes more than six weeks without a status communication.
Data Protection
Client personal data is handled in accordance with the Personal Data Protection Act 2010. Records are securely maintained and not shared with third parties without consent.
Expertise
Estate Law in Malaysia
Estate administration in Malaysia sits across several legal frameworks. Muslim estates are governed by the Distribution Act 1958 and Faraid inheritance principles under Islamic law, while non-Muslim estates are handled under the same Distribution Act provisions and the Probate and Administration Act 1959. Land transfers are coordinated with the National Land Code through the relevant state land offices. Pusaka Cendana has worked across all of these frameworks and can advise families on which applies to their situation.
Will preparation in Malaysia requires careful consideration of how existing nominations — insurance policies, EPF accounts and unit trust holdings — interact with the provisions of a will. A will alone does not govern nominated assets, and conflicts between documents can complicate distribution significantly. The review that accompanies every will drafted by this office is designed to map those interactions before they become problems.
For families who do not know where to begin after a death, the initial consultation provides a clear picture of what the estate involves, which institutions need to be notified, and what level of professional assistance — if any — the circumstances require. Some estates are straightforward and can be handled through public channels without legal representation. When that is the case, we say so.
Speak with our team
If you have a question about an estate or would like to arrange a consultation, we are available during office hours and happy to assist.
Arrange a Consultation