Law firms from Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, and Australia (SIMBA) have formed an affiliation of legal firms called SIMBA Law Alliance. Datuk Zainul Rijal Abu Bakar, representing Malaysia was elected as SIMBA chairman whereas Ahmad Nizam Abbas from Singapore was elected its vice-chairman. Azman Marsaleh, also from Malaysia, was appointed as honorary secretary. Zainul Rijal said the affiliated body was established to build a cross-border legal network, particularly in the Asia-Pacific, as well as to provide space for its active involvement at the international level. He said the collaboration involving the five countries is to improve the legal services across borders and have expertise in the region involved, together with shared knowledge and best practices among firms, as well as to facilitate business and investment opportunities.