Why companies based in Malaysia add a Singapore company
The usual reasons are practical. A Singapore company can be the contracting party for regional customers, the holder of a regional bank account, or the head office of a group whose operations stay where they are. Some owners also want a separate entity to hold shares or assets.
It does bring a second set of rules. A Singapore company needs at least one director who is ordinarily resident in Singapore, a company secretary, a registered address in Singapore and yearly filings with ACRA and IRAS. We set these up and run them, so you do not have to manage a second jurisdiction yourself.
Your Malaysian company stays as it is. How the two companies relate, for example who owns whom and how they trade with each other, affects tax and reporting in both countries. We advise on the Singapore side and work with your own Malaysian accountant or lawyer on the rest.
What is included
- A first consultation on whether a Singapore company suits you and how to structure it
- Remote incorporation, with no need to travel for the filing
- Registered address and company secretary in Singapore
- Bookkeeping in Xero, GST where it applies and Singapore corporate tax filings
- Work passes for staff who move to Singapore
- Personal data advice under the Singapore PDPA and the Malaysia PDPA 2010, through our DPO partner and handbook services
Who this is for
- Malaysian-owned businesses expanding into Singapore
- Foreign companies run from Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru or elsewhere in Malaysia that want a Singapore entity
- Malaysian founders who need a Singapore company to contract and bank in the region
Talk to us about Singapore company for companies based in Malaysia
A short chat is enough to tell you what you need and what it involves. The quote is built around your business.
Chat with us on WhatsAppHow it works
- Free 30-minute consultationTell us about your business. We listen first, with no obligation.
- Tailored quoteMost proposals follow within 3 hours, and always within 3 business days. No fee list, no hidden fees: the scope decides the price.
- We deliver, then supportOne coordinated team carries out the work and stays available afterwards.
Questions about Singapore company for companies based in Malaysia
Can a Malaysian company or citizen own a Singapore company?
Yes. Foreign shareholders are allowed. The company still needs at least one director who is ordinarily resident in Singapore, and we can discuss how owners usually meet that.
Do we have to change our Malaysian company?
No. A Singapore company is a separate legal entity. How the two companies relate can affect tax in both countries, so take advice in Malaysia as well. We cover the Singapore side.
Do you handle SSM, LHDN or EPF and SOCSO?
No. We do not provide Malaysian company incorporation, Malaysian tax or Malaysian payroll. We advise on how the Singapore company is structured.
Does the Malaysia PDPA apply to us?
Companies based in Malaysia are often subject to the Malaysia PDPA 2010 for the personal data they handle there, and a Singapore company is subject to the Singapore PDPA. We confirm which rules apply to your business at the start.
Related guides
How to Set Up a Company in Singapore: A Step-by-Step Guide for Foreign Founders
A step-by-step look at incorporating a Singapore Pte Ltd as a foreign founder: what ACRA requires, the decisions that are hard to reverse, and typical timelines.
Read guideWhy Groups Use Singapore as a Regional Holding Company Base
Singapore's treaty network and foreign-sourced income exemption make it a common regional holding company base, but the tax benefit depends on meeting real conditions, not just incorporating here.
Read guideCross-Border Data Transfers: What the PDPA Requires Before Data Leaves Singapore
Singapore doesn't require approval to send personal data overseas, but the PDPA's Transfer Limitation Obligation still applies. What counts as a transfer, and how to comply.
Read guideWhat Does a Company Secretary Do in Singapore (and Why Every Pte Ltd Needs One)
Every Singapore Pte Ltd must appoint a company secretary within six months of incorporation. Here's what the role covers and how to choose the right one.
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Compliz delivers this service for Singapore companies. For owners based in Malaysia we advise on structuring, and we do not handle Malaysian company incorporation (SSM), Malaysian tax (LHDN) or EPF and SOCSO payroll. Information on this page is general information only and does not guarantee any outcome.