COMPANIES ACT 2016 (Act 777)
“certified”, in relation to a copy of a document, means certified in the manner determined by the Registrar to be a true copy of the document and, in relation to a translation of a document, means certified in the manner determined by the Registrar to be a correct translation of the document into the national language or into the English language, as the case requires;
The term "certified" refers to the formal verification of a document or its translation in accordance with the requirements prescribed by the Registrar of Companies (Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM)).
Certification confirms that:
- a copy of a document is a true and accurate copy of the original document; or
- a translated document is a true and accurate translation of the original document into either the National Language (Bahasa Malaysia) or the English language, as required.
Only certification carried out in the manner determined by the Registrar satisfies the requirements of the Companies Act 2016.
Types of Certified Documents
1. Certified True Copy (CTC)
A certified true copy is a copy of an original document that has been verified as being identical to the original.
Examples include:
- Certificate of Incorporation;
- Constitution;
- Board Resolutions;
- Register of Members;
- Passport copies;
- Identity cards;
- Company statutory documents.
2. Certified Translation
Where a document is originally prepared in a language other than Bahasa Malaysia or English, the Companies Act 2016 may require a certified translation.
Examples include:
- Foreign certificates of incorporation;
- Foreign board resolutions;
- Foreign powers of attorney;
- Identification documents;
- Corporate documents issued outside Malaysia.
The translation must be certified as an accurate translation into:
- Bahasa Malaysia; or
- English,
depending on the applicable legal or regulatory requirement.
Purpose of Certification
Certification serves to:
- Verify the authenticity of copied documents;
- Confirm the accuracy of translated documents;
- Ensure documents submitted to SSM are reliable and complete;
- Facilitate regulatory review and verification; and
- Reduce the risk of fraud or document alteration.
Practical Examples
Example 1 – Certified True Copy
ABC Sdn. Bhd. submits a copy of its Certificate of Incorporation to a government authority.
Instead of the original document, the company provides a Certified True Copy (CTC) that has been certified in accordance with the Registrar's requirements.
Example 2 – Certified Translation
A foreign shareholder submits a Certificate of Incorporation issued in Chinese.
As the document is not in Bahasa Malaysia or English, a certified English translation is prepared and certified in the manner required by the Registrar before submission to SSM.
Example 3 – Passport Copy
A foreign director submits a copy of his passport as part of a company incorporation application.
Where certification is required, the passport copy must be certified as a true copy of the original document in accordance with the Registrar's prescribed manner.
Compliance Requirements
Where the Companies Act 2016 or the Registrar requires a document to be certified, companies should ensure that:
- the certification is carried out in the manner determined by the Registrar;
- certified copies accurately reproduce the original document;
- certified translations faithfully reflect the original document without alteration or omission; and
- only complete and properly certified documents are submitted to SSM or any relevant authority.
Importance
The requirement for certified documents helps to:
- Preserve the integrity and authenticity of documents submitted under the Companies Act 2016;
- Ensure that regulators can rely on the accuracy of copies and translations;
- Promote consistency in corporate filings;
- Minimise disputes arising from inaccurate or incomplete documentation; and
- Enhance confidence in Malaysia's corporate regulatory framework.
《2016 年公司法》(第 777 号法令)
核证(Certified)
“核证”(Certified) 是指按照公司注册官(Registrar)(即马来西亚公司委员会(Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia,简称 SSM))所规定的方式,对文件副本或文件译本进行正式核证。
核证的目的在于确认:
- 文件副本是真实及准确的原件副本(True and Accurate Copy of the Original Document);或
- 文件译本是真实及准确地将原文件翻译成马来西亚国家语文(Bahasa Malaysia)或英文(English)。
只有依照公司注册官所规定方式完成的核证,方符合《2016 年公司法》的要求。
核证文件的类别(Types of Certified Documents)
1. 核证真实副本(Certified True Copy,简称 CTC)
核证真实副本(Certified True Copy) 是指已确认与原件完全一致的文件副本。
常见文件包括:
- 公司注册证书(Certificate of Incorporation);
- 公司章程(Constitution);
- 董事会决议(Board Resolutions);
- 股东登记册(Register of Members);
- 护照副本(Passport Copies);
- 身份证副本(Identity Cards);以及
- 公司法定文件(Company Statutory Documents)。
2. 核证译本(Certified Translation)
如原始文件并非以**马来西亚国家语文(Bahasa Malaysia)或英文(English)**编写,《2016 年公司法》可能要求提交经核证的译本。
常见文件包括:
- 外国公司注册证书(Foreign Certificates of Incorporation);
- 外国董事会决议(Foreign Board Resolutions);
- 国外授权书(Foreign Powers of Attorney);
- 身份证明文件(Identification Documents);以及
- 在马来西亚境外签发的企业文件(Corporate Documents Issued Outside Malaysia)。
译本必须经正式核证,确认其为准确无误地翻译成:
- 马来西亚国家语文(Bahasa Malaysia);或
- 英文(English),
以符合相关法律或监管要求。
核证的目的(Purpose of Certification)
核证制度主要用于:
- 核实文件副本的真实性(Verify the Authenticity of Copied Documents);
- 确认译本内容准确无误(Confirm the Accuracy of Translated Documents);
- 确保提交予 SSM 的文件真实、完整及可靠(Ensure Documents Submitted to SSM are Reliable and Complete);
- 方便监管机关进行审核及查证(Facilitate Regulatory Review and Verification);以及
- 降低文件遭伪造、篡改或内容失实的风险(Reduce the Risk of Fraud or Document Alteration)。
实务示例(Practical Examples)
例子一:核证真实副本(Certified True Copy)
ABC Sdn. Bhd. 向政府机关提交其公司注册证书副本。
由于无需提交原件,公司可提交一份已依照公司注册官规定方式完成核证的核证真实副本(Certified True Copy,CTC)。
例子二:核证译本(Certified Translation)
一名外国股东提交一份以中文签发的公司注册证书。
由于该文件并非以马来西亚国家语文或英文编写,因此须先将文件翻译成英文(或国家语文),并按照公司注册官规定完成核证后,方可提交予 SSM。
例子三:护照副本(Passport Copy)
一名外国董事在申请注册公司时提交护照副本。
如法律或 SSM 要求进行核证,则该护照副本必须按照公司注册官规定的方式核证为与原件一致的真实副本。
合规要求(Compliance Requirements)
凡《2016 年公司法》或公司注册官规定须提交经核证文件时,公司应确保:
- 核证程序符合公司注册官规定的方式;
- 核证副本与原件内容完全一致;
- 核证译本准确反映原文件内容,不得擅自增删或修改;以及
- 仅提交完整、正确及符合规定的核证文件予 SSM 或其他相关主管机关。
重要性(Importance)
核证文件制度有助于:
- 维护根据《2016 年公司法》提交文件的真实性及完整性;
- 确保监管机关能够信赖所提交文件副本及译本的准确性;
- 提升公司法定申报的一致性及可靠性;
- 减少因文件错误、不完整或翻译不准确而产生的争议;以及
- 增强社会大众及投资者对马来西亚企业监管制度及法定文件的信心。