Frequently Asked Questions
Can an old company name be used again?
The company can change back to its old name within 12 months if that name is available.
Why is a trade name not approved when the said name has been long used as a partnership or enterprise?
The applicant who owned a business and wish to use the trade name to incorporate a company, the approval of name under Companies Act is not automatic.
The applicant is still subject to provisions of the Companies Act.
Why is an applied name rejected when the applicant wishes to incorporate a subsidiary company for an existing company?
The applicant has to attach a consent letter from the holding company for the purpose of incorporating a subsidiary company. Approval of name is still subject to the similarity of the existing companies.
Why is application and reservation for availability of names, which has been submitted with a consent letter, still being queried by SSM?
Application and reservation for availability of names has been queried because the consent letter is not complete and did not comply with the regulations.
The General Principles And Characteristics Of Names Which Can Be Considered As Company’s Name
- Names shall use the correct language and spelling;
- If a name contains words other than the Malay or English Languages, the meaning of such words must be given;
- Names which are not blasphemous or likely to be offensive to members of the public;
- Names which do not resemble elements of religion;
- Certain names which are not too general, for example “Attempt Sdn. Bhd.” or “Beautiful Sdn. Bhd.”;
- The usage of individual names shall be from the names of the directors to be named in the Memorandum or Articles of Association. However, individual names can be considered if such names are from the names of immediate family members of the director or promoter, for example, the names of children, father, wife, grandfather or grandmother. Proof of family relationship must be given. If the name of the company is from the individual name of a group of companies in existence, consent letter must be obtained from the group of companies which have such individual names;
- State the meaning of the created words;
- Company name is not an acronym that can be used to mislead as the name of a multi-national company such as PNB, ICI, IBM;