At Ashton, your trusted company secretarial services provider in Malaysia, we view our role not just as a licensed company secretary firm, but as the frontline defenders of your company’s regulatory standing. A recent landmark case in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court has sent a clear message to every Malaysian SME and Sdn Bhd owner: the era of “passive” AML/CFT compliance is over. If your company secretary in Malaysia is not actively fulfilling AMLA obligations, your business

If you own a Sdn Bhd in Malaysia, appointing a company secretary is COMPULSORY. It is a legal requirement under the Companies Act 2016. Every company MUST APPOINT at least one qualified company secretary within 30 days from incorporation. If your company fails to do so, it may become non-compliant and face unnecessary risks. Why Is a Company Secretary Important? A company secretary helps your business manage key statutory and compliance matters, including: Annual Return filin

Receiving a penalty notice from Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia (SSM) can be stressful for any business owner. A common question we hear from directors is: “Can we change our company secretary if the company already has penalties?” The answer is yes — you can. However, it is important to understand that changing your company secretary does not eliminate existing penalties or liabilities. At Ashton Corporate, we believe in addressing compliance matters clearly and proactively.