Malaysia’s Employment Pass (EP) framework is undergoing one of its most significant policy updates in recent years. Following Cabinet approval on 17 October 2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA) has introduced revised salary requirements that will reshape how expatriates are hired and retained. Against this backdrop, Malaysia implemented significant changes to its Employment Pass…
In 2026, ongoing geopolitical tensions, trade barriers, and changes in supply chains are making the global economy uncertain. As a result, investors are looking for more stable and well-positioned markets for company incorporation. Even with these global challenges, Malaysia approved RM426.7 billion in investments for 2025, its highest on record. Almost half of this went…
Malaysia is among Southeast Asia’s most tightly regulated business jurisdictions. Corporate compliance is enforced under the Companies Act 2016, administered by the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), while tax obligations are overseen by LHDN. All companies incorporated in Malaysia must meet statutory and tax obligations from the date of registration. These include incorporation requirements, annual…
Company incorporation in Malaysia is increasingly moving from manual administration to structured digital execution. Business owners now expect incorporation support that is faster, more accurate, compliant, and accessible remotely. Malaysia’s active business formation environment supports this shift. SSM reported 1,590,141 registered businesses, including 60,714 newly registered businesses in 2025. The same statistics show 9,344,360 registered…
Rising compliance expectations, the introduction of e-Invoicing, and increased transaction volumes are forcing enterprises in Malaysia to upgrade their bookkeeping methods. Many companies in Malaysia are beginning to use artificial intelligence-based accounting software to minimise effort, increase accuracy, and comply with regulations. This change is also aligning with Malaysia’s broader digital transformation agenda. Under the…
Why should registering a company in Malaysia still involve repeated identity checks and long waiting times when most business services are already digital? For many entrepreneurs, especially foreign founders, the biggest delays in company incorporation often begin with the KYC verification process. Malaysia has been pushing for faster, more secure digital onboarding. To support this…
Under the Companies Act 2016, a company cannot be incorporated in Malaysia without appointing at least one director who ordinarily resides in the country, a requirement that has quietly become one of the defining realities for foreign businesses entering the market. For a complete walkthrough of the setup process, see our guide on company registration…
In Malaysia, 2026 marks the point at which several compliance measures take effect simultaneously, requiring businesses to adjust to a government focused on narrowing a long-standing tax gap. With a tax-to-GDP ratio at about 13 per cent, well below global levels, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s administration has used recent budgets to put key measures in…