How To Register A Company in Malaysia?

What are the requirements to form a company in Malaysia? What are the documents needed to register a Malaysia company? Here are some basic facts and useful information for setting up and forming a liability company (Sdn Bhd) in Malaysia :

Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia (Companies Commission Malaysia)

  • The Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) established on 16 April 2002, serves as an agency to incorporate companies and register businesses in Malaysia.
  • A limited company in Malaysia can be incorporated with a minimum paid-up capital of RM1.

What documents do you need to form a company in Malaysia?

  • Copy of your identity card (IC) or a copy of your passport (for foreign director)

Director requirements

  • Every company needs at least 1 directors who is at least 18 years of age and are residing in Malaysia.
  • He/she is not bankrupt and has not been convicted and imprisoned for a period of the past 5 years.

Shareholder requirements

  • Every company needs at least 1 shareholder who is at least 18 years of age.

Company Secretary requirements

  • A company must have at least one Company Secretary
  • The company secretary must be a member of any one of the prescribed professional bodies or licensed by the SSM.

Registered office requirements

  • Every company must have a registered office in Malaysia to which all communications and notices may be addressed.
  • It is normal practice in Malaysia to have the secretarial office as a registered office of the company.

Accounts and Audit

  • Every company is required to prepare its accounts and to be audited by approved auditors in Malaysia every year.
  • A company must appoint one or more auditors who must be approved auditors in Malaysia.
  • The audited accounts must be tabled at the AGM for adoption/approval by the shareholders of the company.
  • This audited account is required to be lodged with SSM.

Lodgement of audited account

  • A company is required within 6 months from the accounting year end, and for the newly registered company, within 18 months from the date of incorporation, to lodge the audited account with SSM.

Annual Returns

  • Every new company needs to lodge Annual Return on or before each anniversary of incorporation date.
  • Annual return is a snapshot of general information about a company’s directors, secretary, registered office, shareholders, share capital, principal business activities, etc.