Guide on How to Register Sole Proprietorship or Partnership Businesses in Malaysia

Business Potential

Malaysia is a country in south-east Asia that has the third-largest economy in the region. The country’s economic growth was at 4.6% in 2019 and it has an attractive business environment for investment opportunities. Malaysia was also ranked 12^th amongst 190 economies worldwide on The World Bank’s Doing Business Report for 2020. This article provides a guide on How to Register sole proprietorship or partnership businesses in Malaysia.

Register Sole Proprietorship or Partnership Businesses in Malaysia Procedures

The process will only take one day usually. Only owners who are Malaysian citizens or permanent residents of Malaysia aged 18 or above can make an application.

The following needs to be done in order to complete the process:

Reserve a company name
Applicants must first check name availability online on the Companies Commission of Malaysia (Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia or SSM) website. This can be done after the applicant fills in an e-Registration form and logs in to search company names.
Once the search is done and the company name is available, applicants will need to fill out form PNA 42 (or borang PNA 42), all forms can be found on the SSM website. Applicants can propose up to three desired names. It is important to note that company names cannot contain:
- Blasphemous or publicly offensive words
- Words that are misleading as to the nature, scope or importance of the business
- Any terms implying a connection with the Royal Family
- Any terms implying a connection with a Federal or State government department
- Any world implying a connection with ASEAN, Commonwealth, or foreign government bodies
- The words “Chartered”, “Association”, “Union”, “Foundation”, “Trust”
Register the Sole Proprietorship or Partnership
Malaysian Sole Proprietorship or Partnership registration is done by completing form A (or borang A). Registration of the business has to be done not later than 30 days from the date of business commencement.The field “TARIKH MULA BERNIAGA” means “starting date of your business” and applicants must put in a date before the day of company registration in Malaysia or on the day itself. The field “Jenis perniagaan yang dijalankan (Sesuai dengan nama perniagaan yang dicadangkan)” means “the type of business being run” and applicants should make sure the products or services provided are in line with the company name.
Submit both forms to the SSM
The SSM Head office is located at Menara SSM@Sentral and operates from Monday to Friday, 8.15 am – 4.15 pm. It will take up to 2 hours for the procedure to be completed and applicants can then collect their Business Registration Certificate within 1 hour after completion.

Contact Us Today

Most Malaysian prefer to setup private company over Sole Proprietorship or Partnership business entities as Malaysia Company allows for setup by a sole director and shareholder and enjoy the limited liability feature.

Need help with Malaysia company registration?

3E Accounting is the right choice for you. We are dedicated to providing quick and thorough and we have the necessary know-how and up-to-date information to ensure your success.