Step-by-Step Guide on How to Register a Sdn. Bhd. in Malaysia 2025 Edition

Completing the registration of Sdn. Bhd. (Sendirian Berhad) in Malaysia constitutes the first step every entrepreneur needs to take, and in the case of foreign entrepreneurs, the first step to enjoy the benefits of the ever-growing market in Malaysia. Because of the positive factors such as limited liability, ease of obtaining capital, etc, this form of business structure is highly advantageous. This registration guide is a start-to-finish process of registering a Sdn. Bhd. in Malaysia, with 2025 developments taken into consideration. The process is laid out specifically to cater to novices to ensure that the registration process is done confidently by foreigners and Malaysians alike.

What is Sdn. Bhd.?

In Malaysia, Sdn. Bhd. is a private limited company and is among the most common business structures in the case of SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) in Malaysia. One of the most positive factors of Sdn. Bhd. is that there is limited liability on part of the shareholders. This means that the liability of the shareholders is limited to the amount of shares that they own in the company. This is a favorable option for individuals who want to legally secure their business as they run it. This also serves as a means to ensure that there is positive reputation surrounding the business which in turn increases the marketability of the business and facility of accessing business funds and government assistance. Both local and foreign businessmen and women gain tax benefits, such as lower corporate tax rates versus personal income tax. Sdn. Bhd. companies are still one of the prime considerations for business development in and outside Malaysia as of 2025.

Why Sdn. Bhd. for Your Business?

Limited liability: Business owners receive the most protection since shareholders’ liability is only to the extent of the shares they hold.
Financing: Incorporated companies are able to attract financing and loans more easily as banks and potential investors are more willing to deal with such companies.
Trust: Clients, suppliers, and partners of the business trust the company more.
Tax: The corporate tax is lower as compared to the personal tax for Sdn. Bhd., thus, the savings for Sdn. Bhd will be more than personal tax.
Efficient Growth: A Sdn. Bhd. company is free to grow with no restriction on the issuance of shares and can enter contracts that are restricted to non-incorporated businesses.

A Step-by-Step Process to Register a Sdn. Bhd.

This is a step-by-step guide to registering your Sdn. Bhd. in Malaysia, regardless of your citizenship. Let’s get started.

Step 1: Picking a Company Name

Your first job is to identify a fitting name, one that reflects and is suitable to your brand. The name also has to follow guidelines of the Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia (SSM). The name to be chosen must:

Not be the same as, or too similar to, any existing registered companies.
Not include derogatory or inappropriate words.
Lastly, it has to be aligned with the nature of the business and resonate with your brand.

Once you have a company name to your liking, you can check name availability through the MyCoID portal, part of the SSM name registration system. This system is the first step because you need the name to be available to continue to the rest of the process. Moore Bzi provides name registration and first-point assistance to help you avoid any issues, giving you a good first step into the registration process.

Step 2: Designate Directors and Shareholders

In Malaysia, a Sdn. Bhd. company must have:

For directors: At least 2 directors, and one of them must be a Malaysian citizen.
As for shareholders: At least 2 shareholders, who can be companies or individuals. Foreign shareholders are allowed, but, as a reminder, a local must be one of the directors.

The shareholders and directors for Sdn. Bhd. have legal and functional importance for the company. Directors manage the company and ensure the company complies with the law, while shareholders own the company. Directors can be shareholders too, but for these positions, it is best to avoid a mix in order to ensure legal clarity and compliance.

Step 3: Process Required Documents

Moving on to the next step which is collecting the required documents for submission now that the company name, directors, and shareholders have been determined. The following documents are necessary:

Memorandum and Articles of Association (M&A): It is a legal wine that contains the company’s rules, how the company operates, and its organizational structure. It sets out the company’s system of governance, distribution and ownership of shares, and the obligations and entitlements of the directors and shareholders.
Form 48A: This is a legal declaration that is a confirmation made by the directors of their qualifications and that there is no legal disqualification in the appointment of company directors as specified in the Malaysian company laws.
Shareholder Information: You need to provide information pertaining to shareholders including their individual shareholdings and the ownership of the shares.
Registered Office Address: This is the Malaysian address that the company will have for legal and communication purposes.

Moore Bzi is capable of helping you prepare these documents to ensure that they comply with the 2025 regulation so that there will be no adverse situation that will cause delays to your registration.

Step 4: Register with SSM via MyCoID

After the documents are complete, the next step is to register with SSM through MyCoID portal. The procedure for this is:

Submitting your application: This is where you will upload your documents through the MyCoID portal, and SSM will conduct a compliance review of your documents.
Pay the registration fees: Registering a Sdn. Bhd. can be expensive, the cost usually differs between RM1,000 and RM5,000 based on what the business is and its size.
SSM Review and Approval: SSM will review the information and documentation provided to determine their compliance with the requirements of Malaysian law. If everything is correct, they will approve your request. Your company will be registered, and your Certificate of Incorporation will be issued.

Moore Bzi provides the best service in this phase with the quick processing of your application, thorough step-by-step documentation, and consistent due diligence to ensure nothing is missed.

Step 5: Open a Business Bank Account

Following the official incorporation of your Sdn. Bhd business, the opening of a business bank account is a requirement. For this, you will need to provide the following documents:

Certificate of Incorporation issued by SSM
Memorandum and Articles of Association.
Director’s resolution to open the bank account.
Proof of registered office address.

At account opening, most banks will request the physical presence of all directors or authorized persons. You will be able to undertake under the company name transactional operations once the account is successfully created.

Step 6: Apply for the Required Licenses and Permits

You are obligated to possess various permits and licenses by law, depending on your business type. For instance, health and safety certificates from the Ministry of Health are mandatory requirements for Food and Beverage (F&B) businesses. Companies in technology likely will need to get intellectual protection services or comply with privacy laws. When Moore Bzi is working with you, we will be sure to determine which licenses you need and provide assistance in predicting and completing the needed steps to handle any missing procedural gaps that may cause real issues.

Why Moore Bzi is Your Preferred Partner

For new founders or foreign entrepreneurs, the process of registering a Sdn. Bhd. is greatly more complex than it needs to be. For these reasons, Moore Bzi is your perfect partner for your company registration. Due to vast years of completing company incorporations and providing Trusted End-to-End Business Support – Moore Bzi, we help in every amenable aspect, from the formation and submission of documents to guidance over which policies you must comply with, assistance with banking, and the documents you must obtain to get a license. You will be sure that the steps to completing your registration will be fast, correct, and without problems, so you can concentrate on the expansion of your company without the stress of documents and laws when working with us.

Conclusion

Registering a Sdn. Bhd. in Malaysia in 2025 is an excellent way to protect your business and expand your opportunities. Following this guide, detailed steps, navigate the process with confidence. Moore Bzi guarantees the registration will be efficient, accurate and compliant with the new regulations. In Malaysia, the business journey you planned to start. Moore Bzi offers quick registration of your company with no problems. This means protecting your ideas and extending your opportunities. Let us support you by bringing your ideas to life.