Merchant Companies in Malaysia

The Malaysian Merchant Companies Act 1956 is the key legislation governing merchant companies in Malaysia. A merchant company is defined as a company which is engaged in trade, whether or not it is also engaged in other business. The Act provides for the registration of merchant companies and sets out the requirements for such registration. It also sets out the rules governing the operation of merchant companies, including their financial reporting and disclosure requirements.

The Malaysian Merchant Companies Act is administered by the Registrar of Companies, which is a department within the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs.