KUALA LUMPUR (June 13): Affin Hwang Asset Management, the Malaysian investment firm that manages over $12b, has hired some senior RHB dealmakers as it seeks to build out its new private equity business.

* Affin Hwang hired Soon Poh Lean, RHB’s former head of M&A, as a founding partner at its Bintang Capital Partners unit, the private equity firm’s website shows

** NOTE: Soon left his role at RHB earlier this year

* Theresa Lim, a key lieutenant to Soon who was one of RHB’s most senior M&A bankers, has joined Bintang as an investment director: website

* Andrew Tan, who also worked as an M&A banker at RHB, joined Bintang as vice president, investments: website

* Bintang targets companies in Asia Pacific with “visionary” founders that have potential to become market leaders, with enterprise values of $25m to $150m, Affin Hwang’s website shows

* Affin Hwang Managing Director Teng Chee Wai is Bintang’s chairman while Johan Rozali-Wathooth, Affin Hwang’s deputy managing director, is executive director and managing partner at Bintang 

* Bintang’s portfolio includes an investment in Bitsmedia Holdings, the company behind Shariah-compliant lifestyle app Muslim Pro: website

* Bintang is registered as a private equity management company with the Securities Commission of Malaysia, according to Affin Hwang’s website 

* NOTE: RHB Is Said to Lose Two Senior M&A Bankers in Latest Departures