Closing a dormant Sdn. Bhd.: what SSM changed and how strike-off works now

If your company stopped trading years ago but still exists on paper, it still has filing duties, and missed filings can lead to compounds from SSM. Striking the company off the register under section 550 of the Companies Act 2016 is the usual way to close a company that has nothing left in it. Here is what changed in 2025, what applies today, and what to prepare. What SSM relaxed in 2025 On 16 April 2025, SSM issued special guidelines for strike-off applications made during a moratorium period from 16 April to 30 September 2025. During that window: - Applicants did not need to submit a shareholders' resolution approving the strike-off. They still had to take reasonable steps to get consent from all or most shareholders. - Outstanding compounds issued before the moratorium could be reduced by 95% for each compound notice issued to the company and its directors. Everything else still applied. The company had to have no assets or liabilities, no outstanding charges, no unpaid tax or government dues, and no legal proceedings. Housing developers were excluded. That window closed on 30 September 2025. We found no SSM announcement extending it. The rules today SSM revised its main guideline on strike-off under section 550 on 14 July 2026. It replaces the version last revised in April 2019. Under this guideline, the shareholders' resolution is required again. If you cannot reach the majority because a shareholder cannot be traced, you can still apply, as long as you have written to that shareholder by registered post at the address in SSM's records and you attach proof. A director or member may apply. The Registrar must be satisfied that the company: - is not carrying on business or is not in operation - has no assets and no liabilities when you apply - has no outstanding charges in the Register of Charges - has no outstanding penalties or compounds from SSM. These must be settled before you apply. - has no outstanding tax or other dues to any government department or agency - has up-to-date information with SSM, including directors' particulars - is not involved in legal proceedings in or outside Malaysia - has not returned capital to shareholders - is not a holding company and has not guaranteed a third party's debts - has never declared or paid dividends, as shown in its last audited financial statements lodged with SSM A company that still has capital to return to its shareholders should be closed by voluntary winding-up, not strike-off. Documents to prepare - A members' resolution under section 290 approving the application, or proof of your attempts to trace any missing shareholders - Management accounts showing no assets and no liabilities. If the last audited accounts filed with SSM showed assets or liabilities, add evidence that the assets were disposed of and the liabilities settled or waived. - A tax clearance from LHDN, if the company ever started operating - If the company never operated: a declaration that it had no transactions, and that it never opened a bank account or has closed it, with the latest bank statement - For a subsidiary: consent from the holding company or from all shareholders, and a declaration that neither company is under investigation or prosecution - For a company limited by guarantee: its latest audited financial statements How the process runs You apply online through SSM's Corporate Registry System (CRS) and upload all supporting documents when you submit. SSM's application fee is RM100. If the Registrar accepts the application, SSM issues a notice under section 551(1). For 60 days from the date in that notice, you can withdraw the application (SSM's fee is RM500). Any person can also object during those 60 days (SSM's fee is RM300). Valid grounds include unpaid creditor claims, pending legal action, or the company still trading. An objection can lead the Registrar to suspend or stop the process. If no objection stands, the strike-off is published in the Gazette under section 551(3), and the company is dissolved on publication. After dissolution Directors must keep the company's registers, books, accounting records and other documents for seven years after strike-off, and show them to SSM if asked. Anyone aggrieved by the strike-off can apply to court within seven years to have the company restored to the register. Compounds: a current window On 9 October 2026, SSM extended its compound reduction under the Companies Act 1965 and 2016 until 31 December 2026. It covers companies that have applied for strike-off, among others. The announcement did not state the reduction rate, so check your company's compounds with SSM before you apply. This article is general information, not legal advice. Every company's position is different. How Synco helps Synco's Close service handles your company's strike-off from start to finish for RM 1,500, plus SSM fees at cost.