Rajah & Tann has made its formal debut into Malaysia this month after signing a strategic alliance with local Malaysian outfit Christopher & Lee Ong.

The Singapore firm, which also secured an alliance with Indonesia's Assegaf Hamzah & Partners in May, is among a number of outfits from the city-state looking to grow its footprint in Southeast Asia and tap the steady flow of deals from the region.

Christopher & Lee Ong is the result of a merger between three firms -  Kamilah & Chong, Lee Ong & Kandiah and Christopher Lee & Co – that comes into effect from this month.

The new entity, which will have 44 fee earners, will be led by joint managing partners Christopher Lee and Lee Hock Chye.

Rajah & Tann previously had a loose association with Kamilah & Chong in Malaysia. The new partnership will give the firm full local law capability in the region and allow it to participate in almost all areas of law in Malaysia.

Rajah & Tann, one of Singapore's big four law firms, is understood to be the only regional player with a physical presence and full-service capability in eight out of the 10 Asean countries.

In addition to its Malaysian and Indonesian alliances, the firm commenced operations in Myanmar and Cambodia in January, joining forces with NK Legal and R&T Sok & Heng Law Office respectively. Its overall network also includes offices in Shanghai, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.

Malaysia's legal sector has been a hot topic for both local Singaporean and international firms this year, after an announcement by local authorities last July to open up the market to foreign law firms sometime in 2013. Final details of the relevant legislation are expected to emerge in July, allowing foreign players to launch a Malaysian office either as Qualified Foreign Law Firms (QFLF) or through joint law ventures with local outfits.

Other firms considering a launch in the country include Linklaters, Herbert Smith Freehills and Norton Rose Fulbright, all of which are eyeing corporate and projects work.