In Malaysia, a company secretary must be a natural person and a member of a professional body recognised by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs.  Recognised professional bodies include:

• The Malaysian Association of Company Secretaries (MACS)
• The Malaysian Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (MAICSA)
• The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA)

In Malaysia, it is a legal requirement for every company to appoint a Company Secretary within 30 days of incorporation.  The appointed individual must be qualified and a member of a professional body recognised by the relevant authorities.

Once appointed, the company must notify the Companies Commission of Malaysia (CCM) within 14 days.  Similarly, any changes to the Company Secretary must also be reported to the CCM within 14 days.  Detailed procedures and filing requirements are available on the CCM's official website.

Outsourcing Company Secretary services in Malaysia offers several key advantages:

• Cost-Effective: Avoid the overhead costs of hiring a full-time in-house secretary, including salaries, benefits, and office space.
• Expertise: Gain access to qualified professionals with in-depth knowledge of Malaysian corporate law and compliance requirements.
• Flexibility: Easily scale services based on your business needs—ideal for startups, SMEs, or growing companies.
• Compliance Assurance: Professional company secretaries help ensure timely compliance with statutory obligations, minimizing the risk of penalties or legal issues.

Yes, you can appoint another company secretary to replace your current company secretary in Malaysia even if you already have one.

The process involves officially notifying the current secretary of their termination and appointing a new, qualified secretary to take over. The new secretary will handle the transfer of statutory records and ensure all outstanding obligations are met for a smooth transition.

Be mindful that the Company Secretary position must not remain vacant for more than 30 days, or your company may face penalties. For a detailed guide, refer to our article on how to change a company secretary in Malaysia.

To incorporate a company in Malaysia, you must meet the following basic requirements:

• At least one resident director/shareholder (a Malaysian citizen or permanent resident, or a foreigner with a valid local residential address)

• A local registered business address in Malaysia

• A minimum paid-up capital of RM1.00 (although certain industries or licenses may require a higher amount)

Additional requirements may apply depending on your business type and activities.

Incorporating a company in Malaysia typically takes 5 to 10 business days, provided all required documents and details are submitted correctly.

Even minor errors or missing information can cause delays, so it's essential to prepare and verify all necessary details before submission.

Yes and no. You can incorporate a company in Malaysia without a business address initially.  However, a valid local business address is required later when applying for operating licenses and fulfilling regulatory obligations.

To avoid delays, it’s advisable to proceed with incorporation early—so when you secure your business address, you're ready to move forward without starting from scratch.

A common seal is a physical stamp engraved with a company’s name and details, traditionally used to validate official documents.

However, under the Companies Act 2016 in Malaysia, the use of a common seal is optional.  A company may choose to use it, but it is no longer a legal requirement unless specified by the company’s constitution or requested by another party.

In Malaysia, a private limited company (Sdn. Bhd.) must have a minimum of one (1) and can have up to a maximum of fifty (50) shareholders, as stipulated under the Companies Act 2016.