Sdn Bhd setup checklist (2026): register a company in Malaysia

To set up a Sdn Bhd in Malaysia, you reserve a name and incorporate online through SSM's MyCoID portal. The fees are RM50 for the name and RM1,010 for incorporation. You need at least one director who normally lives in Malaysia and at least one shareholder, who can be the same person. You must appoint a licensed company secretary within 30 days. After that, open a corporate bank account, register for tax with LHDN, register with EPF, SOCSO and EIS when you hire staff, and get a business premises licence from your local council. Most founders finish in 1–3 weeks.

Last updated 31 October 2026

The checklist

  1. Name search and reservation on MyCoID (RM50; the reservation is held for 30 days).
  2. Incorporate by filing a Section 14 Superform on MyCoID: RM1,000 incorporation fee plus RM10 for the company information you receive. You get a certificate (Section 15 notice) once approved.
  3. Directors and shareholders: at least one director aged 18 or over who ordinarily resides in Malaysia, and at least one shareholder. Foreign shareholding is allowed in most sectors.
  4. Appoint a company secretary within 30 days. They must be SSM-licensed or a member of a prescribed body (s.241 Companies Act 2016). Compare company secretaries →
  5. Constitution (optional): adopt one if you need custom share or board rules.
  6. Corporate bank account: bring your SSM documents, board resolution and director IDs.
  7. LHDN: register for income tax (the company gets a C number), set the financial year end, and submit Form CP204 (tax estimate) within 3 months of starting operations.
  8. Employer registration: EPF (KWSP), SOCSO (PERKESO), EIS and, once you have 10 or more Malaysian employees, HRD Corp.
  9. SST: register if your taxable sales or services exceed the threshold (RM500,000 for most taxable services).
  10. E-invoicing: check whether your expected revenue is above the LHDN exemption threshold.
  11. Business premises and signboard licences from your local council (PBT), plus any sector licence (for example from MOH, KPDN or MOF).
  12. Appoint an auditor within 18 months. Some small private companies may qualify for the SSM audit exemption.
  13. Annual compliance: annual return within 30 days of each incorporation anniversary, financial statements within 7 months of the year end, and Form C within 7 months of the year end.

Typical first-year costs

ItemTypical cost
SSM name and incorporationRM1,060
Company secretary (annual retainer)RM600 – RM2,000
Bookkeeping (monthly, small company)RM200 – RM800/month
Audit (small company)RM2,000 – RM6,000
Tax filing (Form C)RM1,000 – RM3,000

FAQ

Can a foreigner own 100% of a Sdn Bhd?

In most sectors, yes, but at least one director must ordinarily reside in Malaysia, and some sectors (for example distributive trade) have foreign-equity conditions.

How long does Sdn Bhd registration take?

SSM usually approves within 1–3 working days if the documents are complete. Opening a bank account and registering with LHDN, EPF and SOCSO usually takes another 1–2 weeks.

Related rankings

Sources