Sendirian Berhad (Private company limited by shares)
Situated at the heart of Southeast Asia, Malaysia offers a geographically advantageous base for accessing key regional markets, including Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, China, and India. Its location along the Strait of Malacca, one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes, enhances its appeal for companies involved in international trade and logistics.
As a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Malaysia participates in a free trade framework that facilitates the movement of goods, services, and investment within the bloc. This membership provides businesses operating in Malaysia with preferential access to a combined market of over 600 million people.
Malaysia applies a territorial tax regime, under which only income derived from domestic sources is generally subject to taxation. Foreign-source income—including capital gains, business profits, or investment returns—is not taxable in Malaysia, even if such income is repatriated. This principle of tax territoriality is a significant feature that distinguishes Malaysia from many jurisdictions applying worldwide taxation.
Additionally, dividends paid to non-resident shareholders are not subject to withholding tax, providing further fiscal efficiency for foreign investors. Capital and profit repatriation is generally unrestricted, and there are no exchange controls on capital outflows for businesses operating under conventional structures.
Malaysia has also signed 68 double taxation agreements (DTAs) with various jurisdictions, allowing for tax relief and reducing the risk of double taxation on cross-border activities. These treaties support the country’s role as a base for holding companies, trading operations, and regional headquarters.
The most common corporate form for private enterprise in Malaysia is the Sendirian Berhad (Sdn. Bhd.), a private limited liability company. The minimum paid-up capital for registration is nominal—just RM 2. However, this minimum capital requirement is not sufficient for all operational purposes, particularly where foreign ownership and foreign employment are concerned.
For 100% foreign-owned companies, different minimum capital requirements apply depending on the intended business activity:
- RM 500,000 is required for businesses in advisory or consultancy services;
- RM 1,000,000 is required for companies engaged in import/export, wholesale trading, or food and beverage services.
If a business is established through a joint venture with a Malaysian partner, where the local partner holds at least 50% of the equity, a minimum paid-up capital of RM 350,000 and an authorized capital of RM 500,000 are required.
In all cases, an Sdn. Bhd. must appoint at least one resident director and a licensed company secretary, both of whom must be natural persons residing in Malaysia. These individuals are responsible for ensuring compliance with the Companies Act 2016 and other relevant statutory obligations.
Malaysia’s workforce is characterized by a high degree of English language proficiency and a strong educational background, particularly in technical and professional fields. English is widely used in commercial and legal documentation, providing ease of operation for international investors.
While labor costs are lower in Malaysia than in neighboring jurisdictions such as Singapore or Hong Kong, employment of foreign nationals is subject to regulatory restrictions. For non-export oriented companies wishing to employ foreign workers, certain thresholds must be met:
- A minimum paid-up capital of RM 100,000;
- A minimum annual sales turnover of RM 2 million.
Export-oriented sectors and companies operating in manufacturing, services, construction, and plantation industries have more flexible access to foreign labor, particularly from countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines, Nepal, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. However, hiring is still subject to approval by relevant regulatory bodies, including the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Department of Labor.
Malaysia’s logistics infrastructure is well-developed, particularly in the area of maritime transport. The country is strategically located along the Strait of Malacca, giving it a vital role in global shipping lanes. Major seaports—such as Port Klang, Pasir Gudang, Port Tanjung Pelepas, and Bayan Lepas—handle substantial volumes of international trade and offer modern container handling facilities.
Companies engaged in manufacturing for export can benefit from operating in Free Industrial Zones (FIZs) or Free Commercial Zones (FCZs). Facilities in these zones are exempt from customs duties and benefit from simplified import/export procedures. Notable zones include:
- Pasir Gudang Free Zone;
- Port Klang Free Zone;
- Port Tanjung Pelepas Free Zone;
- Kulim Hi-Tech Park;
- Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone.
These zones are governed by specific legislation, such as the Free Zones Act 1990, which offers flexibility in customs operations and trade logistics. They are particularly suited for multinational corporations setting up regional distribution centers or assembly and packaging facilities for onward export.
Certain business activities in Malaysia—especially those involving retail, logistics, education, and financial services—require special licenses or regulatory approvals. While 100% foreign ownership is permitted in many sectors, others may be restricted or subject to equity conditions favoring local participation. The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) and other sector-specific agencies regulate these licenses.
Additionally, some industries may be reserved, partially or fully, for Malaysian citizens under the National Development Policy or based on Bumiputera equity requirements. Investors are advised to conduct sector-specific due diligence and consult with local legal advisors before proceeding with incorporation.
Malaysia presents a balanced combination of favorable geographic positioning, competitive operational costs, and a tax-efficient regime rooted in territoriality. While certain administrative and regulatory requirements—particularly regarding foreign ownership, labor, and licensing—may impose limitations in specific sectors, Malaysia remains a practical and strategic jurisdiction for establishing regional headquarters, trading entities, and export-oriented manufacturing operations. The country’s legal framework, coupled with comprehensive double tax treaties and economic zone policies, offers a compelling environment for international business expansion.
Legal *
Country code – MY
Legal Basis – Mixed (Common and Sharia)
Legal framework – Companies Act 2016
Company form – Private company limited by shares (Sendirian Berhad, Sdn. Bhd.)
Liability - The liability of the shareholders for the company is limited to the amount of their respective shareholdings.
Business restrictions – There are several business activities that may be totally or partially restricted for foreigners, such as Education, Petroleum, Oil and Gas, Banking and Finance, Tourism Outbound and Ticketing and Agriculture, among others. Most business activities conducted by foreigners requires a license granted by the authorities.
Share capital – For a foreigner to qualify for a work permit, a 100% foreign-owned company must have a minimum paid up capital of RM 500,000 for advisory and consultancy business, and minimum paid up capital of RM 1,000,000 for 100% foreign-owned companies engaging import, export, restaurant, and trading business.
A joint venture with a Malaysian partner (at least 50% of shares) requires a minimum paid up capital of RM 350,000 with an authorized capital of RM 500,000.
Shares may be without par value and may be issued as ordinary shares or preference shares. Bearer shares are not allowed.
Shareholders – Private limited companies may be incorporated by one or more shareholders, who can be either natural or legal persons, residents or non-residents. 100% foreign-owned private limited companies may be restricted to conduct certain activities and may require a business license/approval from the relevant authorities. Details of shareholders are available to the public.
Directors – A Sdn Bhd must appoint 1 director, who must be a natural person and shall ordinarily reside in Malaysia. Directors’ details are available to the public.
Secretary – A company secretary must be appointed within 30 days from incorporation. Secretary must be a natural person, a permanent resident or citizen of Malaysia and a person licensed by the Commission under section 20g of the Companies Commission Act 2001.
Registered Address – A company shall at all times have a registered address and a registered office in Malaysia, to which all communications and notices may be addressed. It shall be open and accessible to the public during ordinary business hours.
General Meeting – Annual general meetings are not mandatory. All decisions may be written resolutions signed by members of 75% voting rights.
Electronic Signature – Permitted.
Re-domiciliation – Inward and outward re-domiciliation is not allowed.
Compliance – Companies are obliged to keep the report for the fiscal year, as well as the supporting inventory, assessment, ledger extract, journal ledger or other records in a legible form.
Companies must file their annual reports with audited financial statements to the Registrar and tax return to the Inland Revenue Board Of Malaysia.
Appointment of an auditor and file audited financial statements is compulsory for all companies.
- Shareholders not disclosed *
- Directors not disclosed *
- Corporate shareholders permitted * *
- Corporate directors permitted * *
- Local director required * *
- Secretary required * *
- Local secretary required * *
- Annual general meetings required * *
- Redomiciliation permitted * *
- Electronic signature * *
- Annual return * *
- Audited accounts * *
- Audited accounts exemption * *
- Exchange controls * *
- Mixed (Common and Sharia law) Legal basis *
- 1 Minimum shareholders *
- 1 Minimum directors *
- MYR 500,000 Minimum issued capital *
- MYR 500,000 Minimum paid up capital *
- MYR Capital currency *
- Local Location of annual general meeting *
- 2018 AEOI *
Taxes *
Tax residency – A company is tax resident in Malaysia if its management and control are conducted in Malaysia (at least one meeting of the board of directors is held in Malaysia during the year).
Basis – Malaysia taxes corporations on a territorial basis. Foreign-source income accrued by resident entities is not subject to taxation, except for companies carrying out business in the banking, insurance, air transport or shipping sectors.
Tax rate – Corporate income tax standard rate is 24%.
A reduced rate of 18% applies to SMEs on their first MYR 500,000 of taxable income.
Capital gains – Capital gains are not subject to taxation, except for those arising from the disposal of real property or on the sale of shares in a company conducting real property business. In this case tax rate may be 30% if the property has been held less than 3 years prior the sale, 15% for properties held 4 and 5 years, and 5% for properties held six years or more prior the sale.
Dividends – Dividends received from a resident entity are tax-exempt. Dividends from foreign entities are offshore in nature and therefore not subject to taxation.
Interests – Interests are subject to corporate income tax. An exemption may be granted to interests derived from foreign-sources remitted to Malaysia.
Royalties – Royalties derived from Malaysia and foreign-source royalties remitted to Malaysia are subject to corporate income tax.
Foreign-source income – Foreign-source income is exempt from taxation, whether remitted or not unless the income is derived from companies carrying out business in the banking, insurance, air transport or shipping sectors.
Withholding taxes – Dividends paid to non-residents are not subject to withholding tax. Companies paying interests and royalties abroad must withhold 15% and 10% tax, respectively, unless taxes are reduced or exempted due to a tax treaty.
Losses – Losses arising from taxable income may be carried forward indefinitely. Carryback of losses is not allowed.
Inventory - Inventory valuations are generally stated at the historical cost or net realizable value, whichever is lower. Cost may be valued using one of any methods as long as the same is used for each year.
Anti-avoidance rules – Transfer pricing rules require related-party transactions to be done at arm’s length. Transactions may be required to be documented and advance pricing agreements are available.
Thin capitalization and controlled foreign company rules do not apply.
Labor taxes – Employers and employees are required to make contributions to the Social Security Organization (SOCSO) at 1.75% on employees’ monthly wage, respectively. Employers and employees also contribute to the Employee Provident Fund at 12-13% and 11%, respectively.
Tax credits and incentives – Malaysia has a wide variety of incentives covering the major industry sectors such as manufacturing, IT services, biotechnology, Islamic finance, energy conservation, environmental protection, regional operating headquarters, venture capital companies, business trusts, as well as for companies incorporated in special economic regions, among others.
Incentives may be in the form of tax holidays up to 10 years, tax allowances, accelerated capital allowances or reinvestment allowances.
Compliance – On average, a company in Malaysia may require 9 payments and 164 hours per year to prepare, file and pay corporate income tax, value-added tax, and labor taxes, including payroll taxes and social contributions.
Personal income tax – An individual is tax resident in Malaysia if he or she stays more than 182 days per year in the country.
Both tax residents and non-residents are taxed on income derived from Malaysia. Foreign-source income is usually not subject to taxation.
Personal income tax is levied at progressive rates from 0% to 28% on income exceeding MYR 1,000,000. Non-residents are taxed at a 28% flat rate. Dividends from Malaysian sources are treated as ordinary income, while interests are tax exempt. Both interests and dividends from foreign sources are tax exempt, whether remitted or not.
Capital gains derived from the sale of securities are tax-exempt, those derived from the sale of real properties are subject to the Real Property Gains Tax at rates of 30% for properties held up to 3 years, 20% on the fourth year, 15% on the fifth year and 5% after 5 years.
Other taxes – There is a local property tax, which is 6% in the value of the annual rent according to the assessment of the local authorities. There is a stamp duty levied on the transfer of real property assets at a 3%, and at 0.3% on share transactions.
There are no inheritance and wealth taxes.
Goods and Services tax is levied on certain goods and services at a 6% rate.
- Offshore Income Tax Exemption * *
- Offshore capital gains tax exemption * *
- Offshore dividends tax exemption * *
- CFC Rules * *
- Thin Capitalisation Rules * *
- Patent Box * *
- Tax Incentives & Credits * *
- Property Tax * *
- Wealth tax * *
- Estate inheritance tax * *
- Transfer tax * *
- Capital duties * *
- 0% Offshore Income Tax Rate *
- 24% Corporate Tax Rate *
- 0% Capital Gains Tax Rate *
- 0% Dividends Received *
- 0% Dividends Withholding Tax Rate *
- 15% Interests Withholding Tax Rate *
- 10% Royalties Withholding Tax Rate *
- 0 Losses carryback (years) *
- Indefinitely Losses carryforward (years) *
- FIFO Inventory methods permitted *
- 188 Tax time (hours) *
- 8 Tax payments per year *
- 11% Social Security Employee *
- 13% Social Security Employer *
- 28% Personal Income Tax Rate *
- 6% VAT Rate *
- 73 Tax Treaties *
Country details *
Malaysia is a Southeast Asia nation and founder member of the ASEAN. Its territory is divided into two regions by the South China Sea.
Peninsular Malaysia is located in the Malay peninsula and is bordered to the north by Thailand and to the south by Singapore.
East Malaysia is located in the northern part of Borneo and is bordered to the south by Indonesia and to the north by Brunei.
It has a population of 30 million inhabitants. Its capital and the most populated city is Kuala Lumpur, with 2 million people and more than 7 million in the whole metropolitan area.
Its official language is Malay, although, as a former British colony, English is widely spoken, and around 30% of its population is from Chinese origin. In addition to Tamil and other 7 regional languages. Its official currency is the Malaysian Ringgit (MYR).
Malaysia is an elective constitutional monarchy composed of a federation. The head of state is the King, who is elected for five years among the sultans of the Malay states, excluding the four remaining states, who elect the governor.
Its system of government is based on Westminster, that constitutes a legacy of the British Empire.
Legislative power is divided into federal and state legislatures. The Malaysian Parliament is composed of a lower chamber, elected by suffrage, and the Senate, elected by the assemblies of the thirteen states, two representatives of Kuala Lumpur, one for each federal territory of Labuan and Putrajaya, as well as 40 directly elected by the King.
At the federal level, each state has a legislative chamber whose members are elected from electoral districts with only one representative.
Executive power is established in the National Cabinet headed by the Prime Minister. The Constitution stipulates that the Prime Minister must be a member of the lower chamber of the parliament.
Malaysia’s economy is the fourth largest of Southeast Asia, and the third on per capita income, after Singapore and Brunei.
Malaysia has large reserves of natural resources as tin, petroleum and to a lesser extent natural gas. While, natural rubber, palm oil, cocoa, pepper, pineapple, timber, and tobacco are its most exported agricultural and forestry products.
Regarding the industrial sector, Malaysia exports high technology products in areas such as electronics, automotive and construction.
Tourism, both domestic and international, plays an important role in the economy, with an average of 25-30 million international visitors per year.
The financial sector in Malaysia is considerably large, and mostly concentrated in Kuala Lumpur, and also in the Labuan International Business and Financial Centre, located in the Federal Territory of Labuan.