Start your business
the right way.
Getting the right business structure from day one saves you time, money, and legal headaches later. We guide you through the decision — and then through SSM registration — so you start clean.
Which structure is right for you?
The choice of business structure affects your taxes, liability, and compliance requirements — permanently. Here's the plain-language difference:
Sole Proprietorship
Best for: freelancers, hawker stalls, individual traders
- Simplest to register, lowest annual compliance
- You and the business are legally the same entity
- Personal assets are not protected if the business has debts
- Income is taxed as personal income
- Cannot raise investment or have silent partners
Choose this if you're testing an idea or running a small personal business.
LLP (Limited Liability Partnership)
Best for: professional partnerships, small service firms
- Partners have limited personal liability
- Simpler compliance than a Sdn Bhd
- Requires at least 2 partners
- Less credibility than Sdn Bhd with corporate clients
- Not ideal for raising investment
Choose this for professional services with partners who want liability protection.
Sdn Bhd (Private Limited)
Best for: most growing businesses
- Separate legal entity — personal assets protected
- Most credible structure for B2B and corporate clients
- Can raise investment, have shareholders
- Access to SME corporate tax rate (lower)
- Requires a company secretary (licensed cosec)
Choose this if you're serious about growing the business.
What we help with
- Business structure advice — sole prop, LLP, or Sdn Bhd?
- Company name search and availability check (SSM MyCoID)
- Business code (MSIC code) selection
- Registration document preparation and review
- SSM portal submission walkthrough
- Post-registration checklist: bank account, TIN, EPF/SOCSO employer registration
- Referral to licensed company secretary (required for Sdn Bhd)
Start right. Not over.
The most expensive mistake new business owners make is choosing the wrong structure at the start. Converting from sole prop to Sdn Bhd later means new registration, new bank accounts, new contracts, new supplier agreements. Get the decision right the first time.
Talk to us →How it works
Structure consultation
We ask the right questions about your business — planned revenue, whether you'll have partners, if you want investment, who your clients are. Then we recommend the best structure.
Prepare and register
We prepare your documents, walk you through the SSM MyCoID portal, and ensure your application is complete before submission. For Sdn Bhd, we'll connect you to a licensed cosec.
Post-registration setup
After SSM approval, we give you a clear checklist: business bank account, LHDN TIN registration, EPF and SOCSO employer registration — so you can operate legally from day one.
Common questions
How long does SSM registration take?
A sole proprietorship or enterprise registration typically takes 1–3 working days on SSM's online portal. A Sdn Bhd registration takes 1–2 weeks. The timeline depends on SSM's queue and whether your application is complete and error-free.
Can a foreigner register a Sdn Bhd in Malaysia?
Yes. Certain industries allow 100% foreign ownership. Others require a Malaysian partner with minimum equity thresholds. This depends on your industry code and licensing requirements. Contact us — this is one of our specialist areas.
Do I need a company secretary before I can register a Sdn Bhd?
Yes — Malaysian law requires a licensed company secretary to be appointed within 30 days of Sdn Bhd incorporation. The cosec handles your company's statutory filings with SSM going forward. We'll connect you to the right one.
What documents do I need to prepare?
For a sole proprietorship: your MyKad copy, a business address, and your chosen business name. For a Sdn Bhd: MyKad copies for all directors and shareholders, proposed company name, share capital structure, and registered office address. We'll give you the full list when you contact us.
Register your business. Do it right.
Tell us about your business idea. We'll recommend the right structure and guide you through registration.