All businesses in Malaysia are registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM). The structure you choose affects your personal risk, your taxes, your credibility, and how easily you can grow or bring in partners. Below are the main types, explained simply.马来西亚所有商业都向大马公司委员会(SSM)注册。你所选择的结构,会影响你的个人风险、税务、公信力,以及日后扩展或引入合伙人的难易度。以下是主要类型,用浅白方式说明。
1Choosing a structure — the three questions如何选择结构 —— 三个关键问题
Most decisions come down to three points:大部分的决定,归结为三点:
- Liability —责任 —— If the business owes money, are your personal assets (house, savings) at risk, or only the money you put in?如果生意欠债,承担的是你的个人资产(房子、存款),还是仅限你投入的资金?
- Ownership & growth —拥有权与成长 —— Are you alone or with partners? Do you plan to raise funds, bring in investors, or expand?你是独自经营还是有合伙人?是否打算融资、引入投资者或扩展?
- Cost & compliance —成本与合规 —— Simpler structures are cheaper but offer less protection; companies cost more to set up and maintain but protect you and look more established.越简单的结构越便宜,但保障较少;公司设立与维护成本较高,但能保护你,也显得更正规。
In short: most small owners start as a Sole Proprietorship; most serious or growing businesses choose a Sdn Bhd for its limited liability and credibility.一句话总结:多数小本经营者以「独资」起步;多数认真经营或计划成长的生意,会选择 Sdn Bhd(私人有限公司),因为它有有限责任与公信力。
2Sole Proprietorship独资经营 (Sole Proprietorship)
The simplest form: one person owns and runs the business. Legally, you and the business are the same — there is no separate company.最简单的形式:由一个人拥有并经营。在法律上,你和生意是同一体 —— 没有独立的公司。
Owners拥有人
One person (Malaysian citizen or permanent resident only)一人(仅限马来西亚公民或永久居民)
Liability责任
Unlimited — you are personally responsible for all business debts无限责任 —— 你须以个人身份承担所有生意债务
Registered under注册依据
SSM (ezBiz), Registration of Businesses Act 1956SSM(ezBiz),1956 年商业注册法令
Tax税务
Profits taxed as your personal income (progressive rates)利润按你的个人所得税征收(累进税率)
Best for适合
Small, low-risk, single-owner ventures — freelancers, small shops, side businesses小型、低风险、单一拥有人的生意 —— 自由业者、小店、副业
Watch-outs注意
Personal assets at risk; harder to raise funds; the business ends if you stop个人资产有风险;较难融资;你停止经营,生意即告结束
3Partnership合伙 (Partnership)
Two or more people run a business together under an agreement that sets out how profits, losses and duties are shared. Like a sole proprietorship, it is not a separate legal entity.由两人或以上依据合伙协议共同经营,协议列明利润、亏损与责任如何分担。与独资一样,合伙并非独立法律实体。
Owners拥有人
2 to 20 partners (Malaysian citizens or permanent residents)2 至 20 名合伙人(马来西亚公民或永久居民)
Liability责任
Unlimited — each partner is personally liable, including for the other partners' business actions无限责任 —— 每位合伙人须以个人身份承担,连同其他合伙人的生意行为
Registered under注册依据
SSM (ezBiz), Partnership Act 1961SSM(ezBiz),1961 年合伙法令
Tax税务
Each partner is taxed on their share of the profit as personal income每位合伙人就其分得的利润,按个人所得税征收
Best for适合
Small businesses run by two or more people pooling money and skills由两人或以上共同出资、共享技能的小型生意
Watch-outs注意
Unlimited liability; disputes can be costly; a clear written agreement is essential无限责任;纠纷代价高;一份清楚的书面协议至关重要
4Limited Liability Partnership (LLP / PLT)有限责任合伙 (LLP / PLT)
A hybrid introduced in 2012: it combines the flexibility of a partnership with the limited liability of a company. Unlike an ordinary partnership, an LLP is a separate legal entity.2012 年引入的混合结构:兼具合伙的灵活性与公司的有限责任。与普通合伙不同,LLP 本身是独立法律实体。
Owners拥有人
Minimum 2 partners, no maximum; must appoint a compliance officer最少 2 名合伙人,无上限;须委任一名合规人员
Liability责任
Limited — partners are not personally liable for the LLP's debts (except for their own wrongful acts)有限责任 —— 合伙人不须为 LLP 的债务承担个人责任(自身的不当行为除外)
Registered under注册依据
SSM (MyLLP), Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2012SSM(MyLLP),2012 年有限责任合伙法令
Tax税务
The LLP is taxed as a separate entity (similar to a company); profits paid out to partners are tax-exemptLLP 作为独立实体征税(类似公司);分配给合伙人的利润免税
Best for适合
Professional firms, joint ventures and startups wanting protection with lighter compliance than a company专业事务所、合资企业与初创 —— 想要保障,但合规比公司更轻省
Watch-outs注意
Newer structure; cannot raise capital from the public; some regulated sectors are restricted较新的结构;不能向公众募资;部分受管制行业受限
5Private Limited Company (Sdn Bhd)私人有限公司 (Sdn Bhd)
The most common company type in Malaysia — and the one most growing businesses choose. A Sdn Bhd is a separate legal entity from its owners: it can own property, sign contracts, and sue or be sued in its own name.马来西亚最常见的公司类型 —— 也是多数成长中生意的选择。Sdn Bhd 是与股东分离的独立法律实体:可以持有资产、签订合约,并以自己的名义起诉或被起诉。
Owners拥有人
1 to 50 shareholders; at least 1 director ordinarily resident in Malaysia; a licensed company secretary must be appointed within 30 days1 至 50 名股东;至少 1 名通常居住在马来西亚的董事;须在 30 天内委任持牌公司秘书
Liability责任
Limited — shareholders only risk the capital they invest; personal assets are protected有限责任 —— 股东仅以投入的资本为限承担;个人资产受保护
Registered under注册依据
SSM (MyCoID), Companies Act 2016SSM(MyCoID),2016 年公司法令
Tax税务
Corporate tax. Resident SMEs (conditions apply): 15% on the first RM150,000, 17% on RM150,001–600,000, and 24% on the balance. Other companies: 24% flat企业所得税。居民中小企业(须符合条件):首 RM150,000 为 15%,RM150,001–600,000 为 17%,余额 24%。其他公司:一律 24%
Best for适合
Growing businesses that want liability protection, credibility, easier funding — and foreign investors (100% foreign ownership is allowed in most sectors)想要有限责任、公信力、更易融资的成长型生意 —— 以及外国投资者(多数行业允许 100% 外资)
Watch-outs注意
Higher setup and yearly costs; must keep proper accounts, audit, and file annual return + tax设立与每年成本较高;须妥善记账、审计,并呈交周年申报与税务
6Public Limited Company (Bhd)公众有限公司 (Bhd)
Similar to a Sdn Bhd, but it can offer shares to the public and be listed on Bursa Malaysia to raise capital. Shareholders still enjoy limited liability.与 Sdn Bhd 类似,但可向公众发行股份,并在马来西亚交易所(Bursa Malaysia)上市募资。股东同样享有有限责任。
Owners拥有人
Minimum 2 directors; no limit on the number of shareholders最少 2 名董事;股东人数不限
Liability责任
Limited to the amount invested有限责任,以投入金额为限
Registered under注册依据
SSM, Companies Act 2016SSM,2016 年公司法令
Best for适合
Large, established companies raising substantial capital from the public规模较大、成熟的公司,向公众大额募资
Watch-outs注意
Heavy compliance, public disclosure and cost — not for small businesses合规繁重、须公开披露、成本高 —— 不适合小型生意
7Other structures其他结构
Company Limited by Guarantee (CLBG)担保有限公司 (CLBG)
A company with no shareholders or share capital. Members guarantee a small sum toward debts if it closes. Used by non-profits, associations, clubs and foundations — profits are reinvested, not distributed.没有股东、也没有股本的公司。成员承诺在公司结束时为债务承担一小笔担保金额。常用于非营利组织、协会、俱乐部与基金会 —— 利润用于再投资,不作分配。
Unlimited Company (Sdn)无限公司 (Sdn)
A company whose members have unlimited liability for its debts. Rare in practice, because it offers little of the protection people usually want from a company.成员对公司债务负无限责任的公司。实务上罕见,因为它几乎没有一般人成立公司时想要的保障。
8For foreign investors外国投资者的选择
Foreigners cannot register a sole proprietorship or ordinary partnership. The usual routes into Malaysia are:外国人不能注册独资或普通合伙。进入马来西亚的常见途径为:
- Subsidiary (Sdn Bhd) —子公司(Sdn Bhd)—— a Malaysian private limited company that can be 100% foreign-owned in most sectors. This is the usual choice for setting up real operations.一家可在多数行业 100% 外资持有的马来西亚私人有限公司。这是设立实际业务的常见选择。
- Branch office —分行(Branch)—— an extension of the foreign parent company (not a separate entity); requires a Malaysian-resident agent. Suited to foreign firms carrying out the same business here.外国母公司的延伸(非独立实体);须委任一名马来西亚居民代理。适合在本地从事相同业务的外国公司。
- Representative office —代表处(Representative Office)—— for market research and liaison only. It cannot earn income or sign business contracts.仅供市场调研与联络之用。不能赚取收入或签订商业合约。
Some sectors — such as banking, oil & gas, education and certain licensed trades — cap foreign ownership or attach equity conditions. We can check your specific sector before you commit.部分行业 —— 如银行、油气、教育及某些持牌行业 —— 对外资持股设有上限或附带股权条件。在你决定前,我们可就你的具体行业先行核查。
9Quick comparison快速对比
| Entity实体 |
Owners拥有人 |
Liability责任 |
Separate entity独立实体 |
Typical tax一般税务 |
Best for适合 |
| Sole Proprietorship独资 | 1 (local)1(本地) | Unlimited无限 | No否 | Personal个人 | Small, low-risk solo ventures小型低风险个体 |
| Partnership合伙 | 2–20 (local)2–20(本地) | Unlimited无限 | No否 | Personal (per partner)个人(各合伙人) | Two or more owners, informal两人以上、较简易 |
| LLPLLP | 2+ (no max)2+(无上限) | Limited有限 | Yes是 | Entity level实体层面 | Professional firms, JVs, startups专业事务所、合资、初创 |
| Sdn BhdSdn Bhd | 1–501–50 | Limited有限 | Yes是 | Corporate (SME tiers)企业(中小企分级) | Growing businesses, foreign owners成长型生意、外资 |
| BhdBhd | 2+ directors2+ 董事 | Limited有限 | Yes是 | Corporate企业 | Large firms raising public capital大型公众募资 |
"Local" means Malaysian citizen or permanent resident. Tax rates are indicative and subject to conditions.「本地」指马来西亚公民或永久居民。税率为参考性质,并须符合相关条件。
10Frequently asked questions常见问题
Which entity is best for a new small business?新的小生意最适合哪一种?
For a solo, low-risk start, a sole proprietorship is the simplest and cheapest. If you want to protect your personal assets or plan to grow, a Sdn Bhd is usually the better long-term choice.若是单人、低风险起步,独资最简单也最省。如果想保护个人资产或打算成长,Sdn Bhd 通常是更好的长远选择。
Can one person set up a Sdn Bhd?一个人可以开 Sdn Bhd 吗?
Yes. A single individual can be both the only director and the only shareholder. You still need to appoint a licensed company secretary within 30 days.可以。一个人可同时担任唯一董事与唯一股东。但仍须在 30 天内委任持牌公司秘书。
What is the minimum paid-up capital for a Sdn Bhd?Sdn Bhd 最低实收资本是多少?
Legally you can start with as little as RM1. In practice, choose an amount that suits your business — some licences or work-permit applications may expect a higher figure.法律上最低 RM1 即可开始。实务上应选一个契合业务的金额 —— 某些执照或工作准证申请可能要求更高。
Can a foreigner own a Malaysian company?外国人可以拥有马来西亚公司吗?
Yes — most sectors allow 100% foreign ownership of a Sdn Bhd. Some sectors (such as banking, oil & gas and education) cap foreign equity. We can check your sector first.可以 —— 多数行业允许 100% 外资持有 Sdn Bhd。部分行业(如银行、油气、教育)设有外资股权上限。我们可先为你核查行业。
Do I need to audit my accounts?我需要审计账目吗?
A sole proprietorship or partnership does not need a statutory audit. A Sdn Bhd generally must submit audited accounts each year (limited exemptions apply to dormant or very small companies).独资或合伙不需要法定审计。Sdn Bhd 一般每年须呈交经审计账目(休眠或极小型公司有有限豁免)。
Can I switch from a sole proprietorship to a Sdn Bhd later?之后可以从独资转成 Sdn Bhd 吗?
Yes, and many owners do. You incorporate a new Sdn Bhd and transfer the business into it. We handle the whole switch, including the timing and tax points.可以,许多业主都会这么做。做法是注册一家新的 Sdn Bhd,再把生意转入。我们承办整个转换,包括时机与税务要点。
Not sure which one is right for you?不确定哪一种最适合你?
Tell us about your business and we'll recommend the best structure — and set it up for you.告诉我们你的生意情况,我们会为你推荐最合适的结构,并代你设立。
Note: This guide is general information, current as of 2026, and not legal or tax advice. Rules, rates and thresholds change and depend on your circumstances. Please speak with us before deciding.说明:本指南为一般资讯,内容截至 2026 年,并非法律或税务意见。相关规定、税率与门槛会有变动,并视个别情况而定。决定前请先与我们联系。
