A Passion for Justice. The Experience for Win.
Dato' Mohamad Hanafiah bin Zakaria
Principal | Advocate & Solicitor
Dato’ Mohamad Hanafiah bin Zakaria is a respected figure in Malaysian criminal litigation, recognised for his unrivalled prosecutorial experience, strategic advocacy, and command of high-stakes proceedings developed over more than 41 years at the forefront of the justice system.
Having held some of the most senior positions within the Attorney General’s Chambers of Malaysia, including Solicitor General III, Deputy Head of Prosecution Division (Operations) and Head of Trial and Appeals Division, Dato’ Mohamad Hanafiah has led, supervised, and advised on complex, high-profile criminal prosecutions at every level of the courts. His career reflects deep involvement in matters of national significance, evidentiary complexity, and legal consequence, where precision, judgement, and authority are critical.
He brings exceptional expertise across serious criminal offences, regulatory enforcement, appellate advocacy, and classified matters, reinforced by his leadership of specialised prosecutorial units including narcotics, classified cases, and state-level prosecutions. His courtroom presence and strategic discipline position him among the most formidable advocates in the field.
On the international stage, Dato’ Mohamad Hanafiah served as Malaysia’s Permanent Representative to the MH17 Joint Investigation Team (JIT)—a role requiring sophisticated handling of cross-border investigations, international legal cooperation, and sensitive evidentiary frameworks.
Now as Principal of Messrs. Mohamad Hanafiah Zakaria, he advises and represents clients in bet-the-company criminal matters, complex investigations, and high-risk litigation, bringing the full weight of his prosecutorial insight to the defence and strategic resolution of cases.
His distinction has been recognised through numerous honours, including High Court Advocate of the Year (Malaysia) 2022, multiple Excellent Service Awards, and state distinctions such as Dato’ Paduka Mahkota Terengganu (D.P.M.T.).
