At the youthful age of 25 years, John Choi Ching Jack became a symbol of pride for Malaysia as he received the prestigious “Freedom of the City of London” award.
The Oxford alumnus and trainee solicitor was nominated for this honour in recognition of his extensive contributions to the Malaysian diaspora, namely through the British Malaysian Society (BMS) and the Malaysian Lawyers UK Network (MLUN), the latter of which he founded.
The lofty recognition places him in good company, which includes Malaysia’s founding father and first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman and famed shoe designer, Datuk Jimmy Choo.
This is the story of how his unwavering passion for law and community inspired him to dive deeper into acts of kindness, and how he plans to further leverage the newfound visibility granted by the award to expand his voluntary work.
A Mindset-Shaping Education
John’s journey into the field of law was sparked by a deep love for stories and a lifelong passion for reading. While others might be drawn to the fast-paced, high-stakes allure often associated with the legal profession, it was the intellectual depth and complexity of legal reasoning — the fine print of case judgments — that truly captivated him.
This passion led him to two of the world’s most prestigious institutions: the University of Oxford and University College London (UCL), where he obtained a Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) and Bachelor of Laws (LLB) respectively.
Describing his time there as “academically fruitful”, John said, “These institutions are filled with the most incredible legal minds in the world. It’s not just the academics who lecture there, but also the people you surround yourself with, their work ethic and the overall culture.” These experiences laid the foundation for his career as a trainee solicitor at Latham & Watkins, one of the world’s leading law firms.
Uplifting Malaysian Diaspora in the UK
Outside of his flourishing legal career, John dedicates himself to bettering the lives of the Malaysian community in the United Kingdom (UK).
For BMS, his journey began when he stumbled upon its website while exploring opportunities to connect with other Malaysian professionals in London. He reached out to the chairwoman, Mei Sim Lai OBE DL, and offered his assistance, thus marking the beginning of a meaningful chapter.
Since then, John has been actively involved in organising events that celebrate Malaysian culture and foster connections within the diaspora. From a Merdeka carnival in Hertfordshire to a luncheon with Tunku Zain Al-‘Abidin to a talk with former British High Commissioner to Malaysia Ailsa Terry, John has been at the forefront of numerous initiatives that bring Malaysians together.
Additionally, he leads an annual mentorship programme that connects Malaysian students in UK universities with industry leaders, with the goal of enhancing their career prospects by fostering professional networking as well as skills development. Thus far in 2025, 31 talented mentees have already been chosen for the programme.
In 2024, John co-founded the MLUN alongside fellow Malaysian legal professionals. The idea was born during a BMS event, when they realised the lack of a dedicated networking society for Malaysian lawyers practising in the UK. “It was striking, given the significant number of Malaysians studying law here and staying to launch their careers,” John explained.
Despite being less than a year old, MLUN has already organised several events, including a recent audience with Dato’ Zakri Jaafar, the Malaysian High Commissioner to the UK and Northern Ireland, where they discussed ideas to maintain a dialogue between the UK and Malaysian legal professions.
A Testament to Service
Reflecting on being awarded the “Freedom of the City of London”, John expressed how deeply honoured he feels, saying, “I have been incredibly privileged to be able to embark on this adventure (in the UK), all while having the opportunity to give back to the Malaysian diaspora in the UK, including through the BMS.”
The award is bestowed by the City of London Corporation, and is given to those who have made outstanding contributions to London or public life, or to celebrate significant achievements.
While he admitted that a career in law can be all-consuming at times, he emphasised that he has always believed in setting aside time to participate in meaningful civic engagement.
Aside from that, what motivates John to continue contributing is his commitment to forging a cultural connection with his tanah air.
Moving or studying abroad can be an isolating experience, he said, but there are many initiatives and activities for Malaysians in the UK to stay connected with one another, and those are the kinds of projects he wants to get involved in.
Future Aspirations & Advice for the Youth
Looking ahead, John is eager to continue his work with the Malaysian diaspora and explore new opportunities to contribute. He aspires to serve on the boards of charities in London, using his youth perspective to shape governance and drive meaningful change.
In regards to BMS, he hopes to expand it and reach younger generations such as Generation Z and Alpha, as “they often don’t have it easy in this economy”.
As for MLUN, he aims to grow the organisation into the go-to for any qualified Malaysian lawyers seeking to connect with the legal profession in the UK and for UK-qualified Malaysian lawyers to network with other professionals like them.
To young Malaysians aspiring to make their mark on the international stage, John expressed, “Every organisation—public, private or non-profit—can benefit from the perspective of the youth.”
“Never let yourself feel intimidated if you’re one of the more junior souls in the room, and don’t be discouraged by any perceived lack of experience. You belong at the table. You have every right to take up space, and most importantly, you deserve to be heard.”
Whether you’re looking to mentor, connect with fellow Malaysians abroad, or contribute to your homeland from afar, MyHeart is your gateway to purpose-driven community building. Sign up on MyHeart today to build meaningful networks, share your expertise and collaborate on initiatives that strengthen our global community.
