Indonesia Group
Drew & Napier’s team of specialists has covered Indonesia for more than 10 years.
We provide a full range of services across industries including dispute resolution, corporate advisory work, and transactional services on foreign direct investment, mergers and acquisitions, projects and infrastructure, and workouts.
Our clients include institutional investors, corporate and individual shareholders, and management. We help to negotiate, structure, and document their investments and transactions.
We have readily available resources, including a network of associates and local practitioners for Indonesian investment, tax, and related matters. Our team has worked on numerous transactions and contentious matters in Indonesia and is able to contribute a keen understanding of the problems and solutions faced by client with interests there.
For more details on our Indonesian Group, please click here.
Practice Areas
Foreign Investments
We provide effective and legal solutions to ownership restrictions, including the use of quasi equity instruments such as convertible bonds, loans and loanstock; and our tax specialists assist clients in arriving at a tax optimum structure both from the point of view of the jurisdiction of investment and the jurisdiction of remittance. For clients wishing to invest in Indonesia through Singapore, we are able to share our experience with other investment outfits and to provide practical advice on structure, tax incentives and regulation. We have advised on investments such as Softbank’s investment into PT Bank Negara Indonesia Tbk, KT & G’s investment into one of Indonesian’s leading tobacco players, etc.
Mergers & Acquisitions
We have considerable experience advising both institutional investors and leading Indonesian groups on acquisitions and disposals both public and private. We are able to assist with regulatory issues such as competition law issues and capital market regulations. Our years of experience in Indonesia has ensured that we have been involved in many landmark transactions including advising Temasek on its $1.5 billion divestment of its stake in Bank International Indonesia to Maybank, the acquisition by PT Bakrie Sumatera Plantations Tbk of Domba Mas’ state of the art oleochemical facility, etc.
Mining & Natural Resources
We have advised a plethora of nationalities such as Chinese, Indians, Russians, and even Indonesians on numerous acquisitions and disposals of mining concessions and palm oil plantations. In 2010 alone, we were involved in the acquisition and or development of 60,000 hectares of mining area and in excess of 60,000 hectares of palm oil plantations.
Corporate Restructuring & Workouts
Our high level of expertise and depth of experience have led to our appointment to handle complex cases like restructuring Asia Pulp & Paper’s US$16 billion debt and TPPI’s US$1.5 billion debt restructuring with the Indonesian government. We frequently advise debtor companies and we believe that a key element to advising debtor companies is the ability to successfully negotiate with all creditors in order to achieve a consensual outcome that benefits all parties – our clients, its bankers, as well as its trade creditors. At the same time, our unparalleled strength in litigation means that in the event of a dispute, our clients will be represented by some of the most formidable advocates in Asia.
Private Client Services
Our expert advice is frequently sought after by high net-worth individuals and families in Indonesia particularly after the Tax Amnesty in Indonesia and the adoption of Automatic Exchange of Information pursuant to Common Reporting Standard. Our services include tax and estate planning, establishment of trusts and philanthropic structures, reorganisation of offshore holding structures and businesses, as well as immigration and citizenship applications.
China
Our team of Mandarin speaking lawyers has extensive experience in Indonesia and has been involved in most of the largest transactions there. They use their Indonesian expertise to advise Chinese companies on acquisitions, investments, joint ventures, and disputes in Indonesia. The Chinese companies we represent come from many industries including shipping, energy, resources, banking, infrastructure, financial, entertainment and lifestyle.
Please see our Greater China Desk webpage for further details.
Accolades
Chambers Asia-Pacific and Global Guides
Corporate & Finance (International Firms): Indonesia 2024 — Leading firm for 12 consecutive years
"Drew & Napier have excellent mastery of strategy and law, and are commercially sensible."
"They know their stuff and how to argue it."
"Drew & Napier simplifies any complications to help me understand the situation. What matters to me is their initiatives to negotiate with the counterparties on my behalf, while briefing me on the results of the negotiation. It is comforting that they are on our side but also work for the best of both parties.”
“They are excellent and give good advice that is commercially sensitive and has a great grasp of the law.”
"Stellar quality and strong on M&A and corporate work."
Highly capable to take on any matter and very well organised."
One source praises the team’s “in-depth knowledge of legal issues and the environment in Indonesia,” adding that “they provide first-rate advice.”
Well known for handling high-profile disputes in the region. Also offers substantial expertise in banking and finance, M&A, energy and natural resources, projects and infrastructure issues. Considered a go-to firm for major restructuring and insolvency matters, with an especially established reputation acting for Indonesian debtors. Regularly assists Indonesian and Singapore-headquartered companies as well as high net worth individuals.
One client comments: "The team gives good commercial advice both on Indonesian law and on the deal documents, and is focused on getting the job done."
Sources acknowledge the team's high-quality services. One client points out: "They are different from other firms; they understand the client's needs and offer out-of-the-box suggestions."
Another client notes being impressed by the firm's cross-border work, acknowledging that "they have a good understanding of international and regional" issues.
Banking & Finance (International Firms) Foreign Expertise Based Abroad in Singapore: Indonesia
Leading lawyer
Julian Kwek (Singapore expertise based abroad) for 2 consecutive years
Chambers Global Guide
International & Cross-Border Capabilities 2024 (Singapore and South East Asian Firms) – Leading firm for 6 consecutive years
The firm maintains close links to local counsel practices across the region and internationally. The team is accustomed to playing a co-ordinating role on matters throughout ASEAN, and is frequently sought out by international firms to work on the local or regional elements of substantial international mandates.
"Drew & Napier have the expertise and experience to cover many jurisdictions and multiple areas of law."
"Drew & Napier has a good understanding of client requirements and ability to deal with multi-jurisdictional constraints."
"Drew & Napier, together with its partner firms, has expertly assisted us to navigate through complex and sophisticated cross-border elements."
“They gave good commercial advice both on Indonesian law and on the deal documents. The team was focused on getting the job done for the client.”
Singapore – Banking & Finance: (Foreign Expertise: Indonesia) – Leading firm for 5 consecutive years
Chambers High Net Worth Guide
Indonesia: Private Wealth Law (Expertise Based Abroad: Singapore) 2024
Leading Individual
Julian Kwek for 8 consecutive years
"He has excellent high net worth Indonesian clients."
"...because he spent a lot of time in Indonesia, he is familiar with how things should be done. His grassroots expertise is very helpful in understanding the psyche of Indonesian clients and Indonesian markets."
"very knowledgeable, quick to respond and great with client relationships."
Kwek's practice is broad-ranging, and includes private equity, cross-border M&A and joint venture matters. He works with both Indonesian clients and wealthy inward investors.
Kwek helps high net worth families and individuals on private client matters, including restructuring, estate and trusts matters, reorganising offshore holding structures and businesses.
He also assists with immigration and citizenship applications, as well as advising on tax efficiency and complying with the Common Reporting Standard.