How to Register a Company in Malaysia: A Step-by-Step Guide

You’ve found the correct place if you’ve ever considered launching a company in the vibrant and active heart of Southeast Asia. Think of your business as a seedling, and registration to be the planting of that seedling on good, prosperous soil.

This step-by-step guide will explain in plain English how to register a company in Malaysia. Easily get your business up and going with these straightforward instructions, helpful pointers, and answers to frequently asked questions.

How to register a company in SSM?

How Many Company Types are in Malaysia?

There are various kinds of businesses in Malaysia, much like there are numerous cat breeds. The key is to choose the one that works best for you! Choosing a legal structure for the firm is the first stage in the incorporation process. The three most common are:

  1. Sole Proprietorship
  2. Partnership
  3. Private Limited Company, or Sendirian Berhad (Sdn Bhd)
  4. Public Limited Company (Berhad / PLC)
  5. Unlimited companies.
  6. Foreign company.
  7. Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)

Your company type determines your liabilities, tax entitlement, tax responsibilities, and operational independence, so choose wisely!

Contact us register company malaysia with hassle free: 012-752 6289!!!!!

6 Step-by-Step on How to Register a Company in Malaysia

This is like putting together a puzzle, with each piece getting you closer to owning your business.

“A company with another name just may not hit.”

A Great Man said..

  1. Reserve your Company Name
    Company names in Malaysia are required to be reserved with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) in advance. The name reservation will be valid for 30 days after approval.

     

    You can fulfil your application at the SSM Head Office counter or Online. It usually starts with your desired company name search, and it will suggest similar names available if the one you look for is taken or invalid.

    Speaking from experience: Remember to think ahead, don’t stick to just one name, and try a set of combinations.

  2. Document preparation for Incorporation
    Get all of the following documents ready:
    • Company’s constitution
    • Declaration by a director or company secretary
    • Notice of Registration
    • Copy of identification documents (IC) for the business owner(s) or partners.
    • For LLP/SDN BHD: Memorandum and Articles of Association (MAA) or LLP agreement, identity documents of the partners/directors, and other supporting documents as required.
  3. Incorporation Documents Submission:
    Submission goes without explanation.
    • Complete the application form
    • Download and fill out the necessary application forms from the SSM website or visit the SSM office. 
    • Fill out the forms accurately and provide all the required information.
  4. Pay up on registration fees:
    Calculate the registration fees of your business type and use a common payment method to pay Malaysia Business registration fees. You can pay the fees either online or at specific payment kiosks. Keep the receipt as proof of payment for your records.
  5. Pending approval
    Business registration normally takes a few business days to process. Your application status can be checked online, or you can contact the SSM directly. Usually, you will receive email updates on applications status whether you need more document support or successful registration.
  6. Get your SSM business registration certificate
    You will be issued a certificate of incorporation once your application has been accepted. It may be picked up at the SSM office where your application was submitted, or it may be downloaded via the SSM e-Lodgement portal.

    *Remember to download and keep a cloud copy of SSM Borang A, Borang D, etc.

    The expired download window will require you to pay again to download the copy. It’s just RM10 but why the hassle, right?

You have a chance to resubmit online for incomplete documents. That’s fine, but do your due diligence to avoid the second attempt to save you time.

Contact Company Secretary

Business Owners - leave company setup to us!

How Can I register a Company Online? EZbiz

It is simple as it is. In a worst-case scenario, you will end up at the SSM office, asking for assistance from their attending staff. Guiding you on what to do with the registration step by the public computers.

But if you are tech-savvy to navigate the digital side. Just use Ezbiz SSM Malaysia, here’s a summary for EZBIZ.

    1. Background: EZBiz is an online platform developed by the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), the regulatory body overseeing business and company registration in Malaysia.
    2. Objective: The platform was created to simplify and streamline the processes related to setting up and managing businesses.
    3. Business Registration: EZBiz makes a space for entrepreneurs to register different types of businesses, such as sole proprietorships, partnerships, and private limited companies, online.
    4. Annual Returns: You may be surprised as a newbie, but business owners can conveniently file their annual returns and financial statements via EZBiz. Accountants use this as an option.
    5. Business Updates: EZBiz lets you easily update business information, like changes in business address, category, activities, and company directors.
    6. Name Searches: Before business registration, you can perform name searches to ensure their desired business name is available. Auto suggestions exist to help you.
    7. Online Payments: EZBiz supports online payment options for most transactions and services offered by SSM.
    8. Company Profile and Information check: EZBiz offers access to company profiles, including data on registered directors and shareholders to verify a business’s legitimacy.
    9. Compliance Monitoring: EZBiz assists owners to stay compliant with regulatory requirements, sending reminders for filing annual tax returns and updating company information.
    10. Digital tool: Digital tool introduced by SSM that fastens and simplifies business registration and related processes in Malaysia, promoting efficiency and ease of business exchange in Malaysia.

Company Registraton Service for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

If you are occupied with company setup or need someone to do it for you. Accounting.my now offer free company setup consultation, complimentary advice on your current business industry and recommendation!

Company Registration Service for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) is a thing. You can take this routine to any accounting firm in KL, Malaysia to reduce your workload.

Find our ACCA Certified member: ACCA Global

Common FAQs about Company Registration in Malaysia

To register a company in Malaysia, you need to meet the following requirements:

1. One director must be at least 18 years old and a Malaysia resident. This director must not be bankrupt and must not have any criminal records.

2. A minimum of one stakeholder is required for operation.

3. Within the first 30 days after a company is formed, a secretary must be selected and appointed. The secretary of the firm must belong to one of the approved professional organizations or hold an appropriate license from the SSM.

4. Within 14 days of forming a company in Malaysia, a registered office must be established onsite and ready for business.

5. The SSM has to approve the company’s chosen name.

There are several types of companies that can be registered in Malaysia, including:

  • Sole Proprietorship: This is a business owned by a single owner or person.
  • Partnership: A business owned by two or more people, but not exceeding 20 individuals.
  • Private Limited Company (Sendirian Berhad, Sdn Bhd): This company type is separate from its owners (shareholders) in terms of debts and liabilities.
  • Public Limited Company (Berhad, Bhd): These are companies listed on the Malaysia stock exchange and have more than 50 shareholders.
  • Limited Liability Partnership (LLP): This is a business vehicle that gives owners the flexibility of operating as a partnership while having a separate legal identity like a Sdn Bhd.

The cost of registering a company in Malaysia can vary depending on the type of company. As of last 24 months records, the registration fee for a Sdn Bhd with SSM is RM1,000. Other fees may include the company secretary’s fees, stamp duty, and potential professional fees if you hire an agent to assist with the registration.

A corporation in Malaysia can be registered by a foreigner. In fact, most business sectors welcome foreign investment. A foreigner does not need to physically be present in Malaysia in order to form a private limited company (Sdn Bhd). The director must be at least 18 years old and have never been bankrupt or convicted of a felony during the prior five years to qualify for the position.

The Companies Commission of Malaysia, also known as Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia (SSM), is a statutory body that regulates company and business registration in Malaysia. The SSM is responsible for ensuring compliance with business registration and corporate governance laws. Its roles include storing and managing all data of business entities, ensuring compliance, and corporate surveillance, as well as providing company and business information to the public.