There are vast opportunities available in Malaysia, which makes this country one of the prime destinations in East South Asia for setting up a business. In Malaysia, foreigners can now own 100% foreign-owned company, and it can be registered as an Sdn Bdn.
The Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) are responsible to oversees any types of company registration in Malaysia. A Company can be registered in Malaysia in 3 ways: Limited Liability Company (LLC), Partnership and Sole Proprietorship.
There are some steps that you need to overcome steps by steps for the registration of a foreign-owned company. In this section, we will discuss the registration process of a limited liability company.
Most of the foreign investor doesn’t know the process of company registration. Therefore, it is necessary for them to hire an experienced consultant who can help to deal with company registration in Malaysia.
Always remember a good consultant can save your money and time. Therefore, hiring a good consultant is an essential job before company registration in Malaysia.
According to the government law, you must appoint a Company sectary (must be Malaysian Citizen) who is responsible for forwarding your company registration papers to SSM for approval.
However, you must designate a company sectary under some particular condition, so that they could not perform harmful activities within the business. The director of the company can only terminate by the company sectary.
Each company has its own identity and recognized by name. So, name approval of proposed company is the first step in company registration. As company name policy, each company shall hold name as SDN. BHD.
The Company Secretary shall prepare Memorandum and Article of Association (MoA & AoA). The director of the company will have to sign on some papers and forms (Form 24, 48 A, 44 and 49).
All required documents should be submitted through online to SSM including government fees. The table below shows the details of government fees. Also, you may want to know about the work permit in Malaysia for foreigners.
| Authorized Capital | Fees |
| Up to RM 100,000 | RM 1000 |
| RM 100,001-500,000 | RM 3000 |
| From 500,001-10000000 | RM 10000 |
| 10000001-25000000 | RM 20000 |
| Above of 100000001 | RM 70000 |
To register a company in Malaysia, you must use Malaysian local address. You may buy a permanent office (high cost) or rent a virtual office (low cost) to full fill the requirement of local address.
However, it takes around 3 to 7 days to register Pvt. Ltd. The company in Malaysia.
To register a company in Malaysia you must follow company act 1965
| Section 14 | Each company must be registered as limited liability of shares or limited by guarantee A company should be at least two directors to register a new company in Malaysia. |
| Section 15 | Private limited company cannot offer any public shares |
| Section 124 | If directors of the company fail to purchase shares of the company is penalized financially of RM one thousand. |
| Section 143 | Directors of each company shall hold an annual meeting with attending of majority members and perform meeting within the calendar year. |
| Section 165 | If the company annual report is not submitted regularly the company will be penalized - 2000 RM |
| Section 211 | The winding up of a company may be either—by the Court; or voluntary. |
| WRT (Wholesale Retail Trade) License | Investors have to apply to local area office for WRT license from Ministry of Trade and Consumerism of Malaysia. |
| Halal License | These are the following business category that needs to apply for Halal License: Distributor, Manufacturer producer, Repacking, Food premise, Slaughterhouse business, Packing material, etc. |
| Income Tax Certificate | Each company shall hold income tax certificate after register SDN. BHD. Company. Directors of the company shall have to decide of submission of income Tax period of the year. |
| Bank account | It is easier for a company to open a bank account which holds paid up capital of RM 500,000. If the paid-up capital of the company is below RM 500,000, then it became difficult to open a bank account. If the directors of the company hold the social pass, he or she is unable to open a bank account. |
| Description | License | Fees in RM |
| Company Incorporation Service, Buy super form from SSMSecretary service (1 year)Allow office address for 1 year and bank account open service | Incorporation | 4000 |
| Prepare supporting papers and apply for signboard and premise license | Signboard & Premise | 2000 |
| Prepare supporting papers and apply for export and import license | Export & Import | 4000 |
| Prepare supporting documents and apply for WRT license for nonresidents | WRT | 4000 |
| Prepare supporting papers and apply for Kinder garden school license, Halal License and many more | Dagang.net | Fees may vary (contact us for current rates) |
| Add product or brand name with company name permission | Notification | 1000 |
| Prepare supporting papers and apply for Trademark license. | Trade mark | 5000 |
Q: Can I register Pvt Ltd. Company in Malaysia with paid up capital of any amount?
Q: Should I present at Malaysia physically, to register a new company?
You may find other writing apart of how to register a company in Malaysia as foreigner:-
