Businesses operating a website in Malaysia are legally required under the Companies Act 2016, Section 30(2)(b) to display their full registered company name and SSM registration number in a clear and visible manner. This requirement applies to all registered entities, regardless of business size or website type.
Failure to comply may result in penalties, enforcement notices, and reputational damage.
I’ve seen too many Malaysian business owners get blindsided by legal notices just because their websites weren’t compliant.
Most of them didn’t even know they were breaking the law.
If you’re running a business in Malaysia and have a website, there are business website legal requirements in Malaysia that you absolutely cannot ignore.
Miss them, and you’re staring down fines, legal headaches, and a seriously damaged reputation.
So let’s break it down. Here’s exactly what you need to know to stay compliant and stay safe.
What Are the Business Website Legal Requirements Malaysia?
Under the Companies Act 2016, Section 30(2)(b), any company incorporated in Malaysia and operating a website must disclose specific corporate information to the public.
Required Website Information (Malaysia)
Your website must display:
- Full registered company name (exactly as stated on your SSM certificate)
- SSM registration number (e.g., 123456-A or 201234567890)
These details must be:
- Publicly accessible
- Clearly readable (not hidden or obscured)
- Available on all versions of the website (desktop and mobile)
The purpose of this requirement is transparency, consumer protection, and legal accountability.
It’s not optional. It’s not a “nice-to-have.”
It’s the law.
Visitors should know right away that they’re dealing with a legitimate, registered business, not some fly-by-night operation.
Who Must Comply With These Requirements?
The requirement applies to:
- Sdn Bhd and Berhad companies
- E-commerce businesses
- Professional services firms
- Startups and SMEs
- Single-director or owner-operated companies
Business size is irrelevant.
If your business is registered under SSM and operates a website, compliance is mandatory.
This includes:
- Informational websites
- Landing pages
- Online stores
- Booking or lead generation sites
Case Example: Don’t Be the Next Surprise Fine
A Malaysian business owner received an RM5,000 penalty notice from the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) after failing to display their company registration number on their website.
The omission was not intentional, but enforcement action was still taken.
Key takeaway: Lack of awareness is not a defence. Even minor omissions can result in fines and enforcement notices.
Why Displaying Your Company Name & SSM Number Matters
1. Consumer Protection
Displaying registered business details allows consumers to:
- Verify that the business exists
- Cross-check company information via SSM
- Identify the legal entity behind the website
This reduces fraud and protects consumers from anonymous or misleading websites.
2. Building Credibility
Websites that clearly display registered business details appear:
- More professional
- More trustworthy
- Safer for transactions and partnerships
Compliance is not only a legal obligation, it is a trust signal.
3. Avoiding Penalties
The Companies Act 2016 allows enforcement action against non-compliant businesses. Consequences may include:
- Monetary penalties (Up to RM50,000), or 3-year imprisonment, or both
- Official notices from SSM
- Reputational damage
Preventing this requires only minutes of implementation.
Where to Display Registered Company Info on Your Website
You know you need to display your company info, but where?
Footer (Recommended)
The footer is the most common and effective location because it appears on every page.
Include:
- Full registered company name
- SSM registration number
- Registered address (recommended)
Legal or Company Information Page
If your website includes legal documentation, create a dedicated page containing:
- Company registration details
- Terms and conditions
- Privacy policy
- Disclaimer
Ensure the page is clearly linked from the footer or navigation menu.
Social Media Pages (Also Required)
Many business owners assume legal display rules apply only to websites.
That’s incorrect.
If your business operates on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or TikTok, your registered company details must also be displayed.
Recommended locations:
- “About” section
- Page bio or description
While websites are the primary compliance focus, SSM enforcement recognises social media pages as official business representations.
Displaying your registered details improves transparency, credibility, and reduces compliance risk.
Common Mistakes Malaysian Business Owners Make
After reviewing hundreds of websites, I see the same mistakes over and over. Don’t make these:
- Using a trading name instead of your registered name
“ABC Digital” ≠ “ABC Digital Solutions Sdn Bhd.” Only the full registered name counts. - Hiding information in obscure places
PDF terms, tiny text, or pages buried three clicks deep? Not compliant. - Displaying outdated info
Changed company name or moved address? Update your website immediately. - Only showing SSM number without company name
You need both. - Thinking small businesses are exempt
If you’re registered, you must comply, even if it’s just you running a one-person Sdn Bhd. - Not showing info on all versions of your website
Desktop compliant but mobile missing? E-commerce subdomain missing? Fix it everywhere. - Treating compliance as optional
“I’ll update the next redesign.” Don’t gamble. It takes five minutes, do it now.
How to Make Your Website SSM-Compliant (Step-by-Step)
Here’s your action plan:
Step 1: Confirm Your Registered Details
Refer to your SSM documents for:
- Full registered company name
- SSM registration number
- Registered business address
Step 2: Choose Display Locations
At minimum:
- Website footer
Step 3: Display Information Clearly
Example format:
Company Information
[Full Registered Company Name]
SSM Registration No: [Number]
Registered Address: [Address]
Text must be readable and not embedded in images.
Step 4: Verify Accuracy
Ensure all information exactly matches your SSM records.
Step 5: Test Across Devices
Check visibility on:
- Mobile
- Tablet
- Desktop
Step 6: Set Annual Review Reminder
Update your website immediately if company details change.
Final Thought
Displaying your registered company name and SSM registration number is a legal requirement in Malaysia.
Implementation is simple, but the consequences of non-compliance can be significant.
Ensure your website is compliant, transparent, and trustworthy.
At Jumix, every website we create is 100% legally compliant, so you can focus on growing your business, not worrying about fines.
Get your new website done by Jumix today and say goodbye to compliance stress for good.
FAQs About Business Website Legal Requirements Malaysia
Do sole proprietors need to display SSM details?
Yes. Any business registered with SSM should display its registration information on its website.
What happens if I don’t display registration details?
You may be in violation of the Companies Act 2016 and risk penalties, enforcement action, and loss of customer trust.
Do social media pages need this info?
Yes. It also applies to social media business pages, official documents, notices, and even signboards.
What if my company name is long?
Display it fully. Use multiple lines or smaller (but readable) fonts if needed.
Can I use an image or logo instead of text?
No. Registration information must be displayed as readable text, not embedded in images.
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