If you need to change company name Malaysia regulations require going through SSM, not a quick rebrand. Whether you’re rebranding, correcting a name, or restructuring your business, changing your Sdn Bhd’s name is a formal process under Section 28 of the Companies Act 2016, with its own fees, approvals and a 12-month transition rule most owners don’t expect.
This guide walks through the full process, what it costs, how long it takes, and what you must do after SSM approves the change.
Change Company Name Malaysia: Who Can Apply?
Only the existing company secretary can lodge a name change application with SSM on the company’s behalf. The decision to change the name must first be approved by the shareholders through a special resolution, since a name change is considered a significant change to the company’s constitution and identity.
If you don’t currently have an active company secretary, you’ll need to appoint or reinstate one before this process can move forward. See: Is a Company Secretary Compulsory for Sdn Bhd in Malaysia?
Change Company Name Malaysia: Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Check and reserve the new name
Submit your proposed new name through SSM’s MyCoID system. It must meet the same rules as a fresh incorporation: unique, not misleadingly similar to an existing company, free of prohibited or sensitive words, and ending in “Sdn Bhd.” If approved, the name is reserved for 30 days.
Note: your old company name cannot later be reused to incorporate a new company, so don’t plan on “freeing it up” for reuse elsewhere.
Step 2: Pass a special resolution
The shareholders must formally approve the change of name by special resolution, which generally requires at least 75% approval of those voting. This can be done at a general meeting or by written resolution, depending on your company’s constitution and the Companies Act 2016.
Step 3: Lodge the Section 28 application
Within the 30-day name reservation window, the company secretary submits the Section 28 Application for Change of Name to SSM, along with the name reservation approval email and the special resolution.
Step 4: SSM reviews and issues the Notice of Change of Name
Once SSM confirms the application is complete and compliant, it issues a Notice of Change of Name, typically within a few working days. This is the official record of the name change and shows its effective date.
Step 5: Update your records everywhere
The name change doesn’t end at SSM. You’ll also need to update:
- Your corporate bank account details
- Your company letterhead, invoices, and signage
- LHDN (Inland Revenue Board) records for tax purposes
- Business licences and permits held under the old name
- Contracts, agreements, and any registered intellectual property
- Your website, social media, and Google Business listing
Change Company Name Malaysia: The 12-Month Display Rule
This is the part most business owners miss: for 12 months after a name change takes effect, the company must display its old name alongside the new one on official documents, correspondence, and at its registered office. This gives banks, clients, and government bodies a transition period to recognise the company under its new identity.
Change Company Name Malaysia: Cost Breakdown
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Name reservation (SSM) | RM50 |
| Section 28 application fee (SSM) | RM100 |
| Total statutory cost | RM150 |
| Certificate of change of name (optional, on request) | Additional SSM fee applies |
| Company secretary professional fee | Varies by provider — covers preparing the resolution and managing the lodgment |
These are the official SSM fees. Your total cost will also include your company secretary’s professional fee for preparing documents and handling the filing — get a free quote for a number specific to your situation.
Change Company Name Malaysia: How Long Does It Take?
With a complete and compliant application, SSM typically issues the Notice of Change of Name within a few working days of lodgment. But the full timeline depends on:
- How quickly your proposed name is approved (usually 1 to 3 working days)
- How quickly shareholders can pass the special resolution
- Whether the Section 28 application is lodged within the 30-day name reservation window
Plan for roughly 1 to 3 weeks end to end, factoring in internal approval and document preparation time, not just SSM’s processing.
Common Mistakes When Changing a Company Name
- Letting the name reservation lapse. You have 30 days to lodge the Section 28 application — miss it, and you start over.
- Forgetting the special resolution. SSM will reject an application without proper shareholder approval.
- Not updating the bank and LHDN promptly. This can cause payment and tax filing issues under the new name.
- Ignoring the 12-month display requirement. Dropping the old name from documents too early is a compliance gap.
- Assuming it’s purely an SSM matter. Licences, contracts, and intellectual property registrations don’t update automatically.
Need to change your company name? See how we can help for a free quote and a clear timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much does it cost to change a company name in Malaysia?
The statutory SSM fees total RM150: RM50 for name reservation and RM100 for the Section 28 application. Company secretary professional fees for preparing the resolution and handling the lodgment are separate.
Q: How long does a company name change take in Malaysia?
SSM typically issues the Notice of Change of Name within a few working days of a complete submission. Including name approval and the special resolution, the full process usually takes 1 to 3 weeks.
Q: Can I reuse my old company name for a new company?
No. Once a company changes its name, the old name cannot be used to incorporate a different company.
Q: Do I need shareholder approval to change my company name?
Yes. The name change must be approved by a special resolution of the shareholders before it can be lodged with SSM.
Q: Do I have to display my old company name after changing it?
Yes. For 12 months after the change, the company must display both the old and new names on official documents and at its registered office.
Q: Who can submit the name change application to SSM?
Only the company’s existing company secretary can lodge the application on the company’s behalf.
