Two Methods to Register a Company in Malaysia

Congratulations on your decision to start a business! 🎉🎉

Welcome to the exciting (and admittedly stressful) journey of entrepreneurship.

Now comes the essential but not-so-glamorous part: registering your company with SSM (Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia).

The good news? We'll walk you through exactly how to do it.

There are two main approaches:

1. Self-registration via MyCOID (DIY incorporation)

2. Using a company incorporation specialist

Let's dive into both options so you can choose what works best for your situation.

Method 1: DIY Malaysian Company Registration via MyCOID

This approach is perfect if you prefer handling things yourself. It's cost-effective and gives you complete control over the process. Just be prepared to navigate some bureaucracy along the way.

Here are the four essential steps:

Step 1: Conduct Your Business Name Search

Start by logging into SSM's MyCOID portal.

This is where you'll test potential business names. Get your creative juice flowing, but make sure they comply with SSM's naming guidelines.

Avoid prohibited or sensitive words as outlined in their official guidelines. 

Keep in mind that names like "Definitely Not a Money Laundering Business" probably won't pass their review process.

Each name search costs RM50 and remains valid for 30 days, so choose wisely.

Step 2: Prepare Your Registration Documents

Gather these essential documents and information:

• Company constitution - You can use SSM's standard template.

• Directors and shareholder details - Include full names, NRIC/passport numbers, addresses, and shareholding percentages

• Completed Declaration of Compliance (Form 6)

• Registered business address - Can be physical or virtual

• MSIC code - This indicates your business nature

Step 3: Submit Your Incorporation Application

Return to the MyCOID portal to submit your application. Fill in all required details carefully and upload your prepared documents.

The incorporation fees start from RM1,010.

Step 4: Receive Your Registration Certificate

Once approved, you'll receive a Notice of Registration (Section 15) as official proof of incorporation.

If you need additional documentation for licenses or legal requirements, you can request a Certificate of Incorporation (Section 17) for an additional fee.

Here's a helpful video walkthrough of the entire process:

Method 2: Use a Professional Company Incorporation Service to Register Your Company in Malaysia

The main advantage of hiring specialists is simple: you save valuable time and energy.

Instead of navigating bureaucracy, you can focus on what really matters - building and growing your business.

That’s right. You can focus on your business while we do the boring, grunt work.

We’ll collect the information from you and handle the entire registration process.

Furthermore, we’ll help you with the hard part that comes after that: The post-incorporation process.

A guide to your company post-incorporation process in Malaysia

Incorporating your business is just the beginning.

Because after that comes the hard part — the part that can cost you lots of hard-earned money and headache if you don’t get it right.

LHDN isn’t known to be particularly nice if they feel like you’re holding out on them.

Here’s what you need to do next:

Four steps: What to do after you register your company with SSM

Step 1: Engage corporate secretary services

Also known as a company secretary, or cosec. You have to do this step within 30 days of incorporation.

Your company is like a new-born baby. It needs the protection of a nanny to make sure that it doesn’t get bullied. That’s the role of the corporate secretary.

What’s a corporate secretary/company secretary/cosec? Watch this video to find out:

Step 2: Open a corparate bank account

At least one director must be present at the time.

The required documents are:

• SSM incorporation papers

• director’s identification

• board resolution

Step 3: Register for tax & statutory contributions

There are 6 items you must register for:

LHDN registration

Obtain a tax reference number & submit CP204 (Tax Estimate) within 3 months.

SST registration

Sales and service tax is mandatory for businesses earning RM500,000+ annually.

EPF

Employees provident fund is mandatory if you hire.

SOCSO

Social security protection — also for those with employees.

PCB

Monthly tax deduction for employees.

Businesses licenses & permits

F&B outlets need business premise license. construction businesses need CIDB certification. YouTubers need a license to give out unsolicited advice.

“Guys, you’re brushing your teeth wrong! Here’s how you should actually be doing it.”

Sounds like a lot? Fortunately, you’ve got an experienced firm to help you with every one of those needs. I’m talking about us! Douglas Loh & Associates!

We’ll ensure that you’re compliant with all the laws and requirements of the Malaysian government.

Speaking of compliant, we’re not done yet.

You’ve registered your company. Completed the post-incorporation tasks. But that’s not the end of the story.

Because every year, every Sdn Bhd has to comply with 6 ongoing compliance requirements.

The 6 compliance requirements every Sdn Bhd must complete every year

1/ Annual Returns (SSM)

Within 30 days of the company’s incorporation anniversary.

2/ Audited Filings

Within 18 months of incorporation (first year) and annually thereafter.

3/ Tax Returns (LHDN)

Every year by June 30 if the financial year ends Dec 31.

4/ GST/SST Compliance (if applicable)

Bi-monthly (every 2 months) if registered for SST.

5/ Employee Statutory Contributions

Monthly before the 15th (for salary deductions).

6/ Annual General Meetings (AGM)

As needed.

You don’t want to be caught not complying with these requirements.

For one, LHDN does NOT like to be let down.

If they get a whiff of taxes not paid, they will gear up for battle before you can say “LHDN coming”.

For example, these guys will not have it easy:

It is mandatory to meet these compliance requirements.

Yet at the same time, managing compliance requirements is, most frankly, a waste of your precious hours.

You should be out there thinking up winning business strategies. Building valuable relationships. Boosting your team.

Not… bluek, paperwork.

Fortunately, Douglas Loh & Associates is here to take that burden off your shoulders.

We’ll help you register your company and provide you with all the compliance support you need. Ready to get started?

Click here if you're Malaysian.

Click here if you're non-Malaysian.

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