COMPANIES ACT 2016 

Corresponding Previous Written Law

"Corresponding previous written law" means any written law relating to companies which has been at any time in force in any part of Malaysia and which corresponds with any provision of this Act.

A corresponding previous written law refers to any earlier Malaysian legislation governing companies that was in force before the Companies Act 2016 and contains provisions that correspond to, or are substantially similar to, the provisions of the current Act.

This definition ensures continuity between the Companies Act 2016 and earlier company legislation. References to acts, documents, approvals, rights, obligations, or proceedings under previous company laws continue to have legal effect where the Companies Act 2016 provides for such continuity.

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Purpose of the Definition

The definition serves to:

• Ensure a smooth transition from previous company legislation to the Companies Act 2016;
• Preserve the legal validity of actions taken under earlier company laws;
• Maintain continuity of corporate rights, obligations, and proceedings; and
• Avoid uncertainty when interpreting provisions that refer to previous legislation.

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Examples of Corresponding Previous Written Laws

Examples include legislation that previously governed companies in Malaysia, such as:

• Companies Act 1965 [Act 125]; and
• Any earlier company legislation that was in force in any part of Malaysia before the Companies Act 2016 and contains provisions corresponding to those in the current Act.

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Practical Examples

Example 1 – Company Incorporated Under the Companies Act 1965

ABC Sdn. Bhd. was incorporated under the Companies Act 1965.

When the Companies Act 2016 came into force, ABC Sdn. Bhd. continued to exist without the need for re-incorporation. The Companies Act 1965 is regarded as a corresponding previous written law, allowing the company's incorporation and legal status to continue under the new Act.

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Example 2 – Existing Board Resolution

A board resolution validly passed under the Companies Act 1965 remains legally effective after the commencement of the Companies Act 2016, unless otherwise affected by the new legislation.

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Example 3 – Company Secretary Appointment

A company secretary appointed under the Companies Act 1965 continues to hold office after the Companies Act 2016 comes into force, subject to the transitional provisions and continued compliance with the current Act.

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Legal Effect

Where the Companies Act 2016 refers to a corresponding previous written law, it generally means that:

• rights acquired under the previous law remain valid;
• obligations imposed under the previous law continue where applicable;
• approvals, licences, appointments, and registrations remain effective unless otherwise provided; and
• ongoing legal proceedings or enforcement actions are not invalidated merely because the Companies Act 2016 has replaced the previous legislation.

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Compliance Note

Companies incorporated before the commencement of the Companies Act 2016 should ensure that:

• their corporate records remain consistent with the requirements of the current Act;
• any continuing obligations under the Companies Act 2016 are fulfilled; and
• existing documents and corporate actions are reviewed for compliance with the current legislative framework where necessary.

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Importance

The definition of "corresponding previous written law" provides legal continuity by recognising earlier company legislation that corresponds to the Companies Act 2016. It ensures that companies, their officers, shareholders, creditors, and other stakeholders are not adversely affected by the transition to the current statutory framework, thereby promoting certainty, stability, and continuity in Malaysian corporate law.

  

《2016 年公司法》（第 777 号法令）

相对应的先前成文法（Corresponding Previous Written Law）

“相对应的先前成文法”（Corresponding Previous Written Law） 是指任何曾于马来西亚任何地区生效、与公司有关，并且其条文与《2016 年公司法》任何条文相对应的成文法（Written Law）。

实务说明（Practical Explanation）

相对应的先前成文法（Corresponding Previous Written Law） 是指在《2016 年公司法》生效之前，曾于马来西亚任何地区实施并规范公司事务的法律，而该等法律的相关条文与《2016 年公司法》的条文相同、相对应或具有实质上的一致性。

此定义的目的，在于确保《2016 年公司法》与先前公司法之间具有法律上的连续性（Legal Continuity）。

因此，根据先前公司法所作出的行为、签署的文件、取得的批准、享有的权利、承担的义务，以及正在进行的法律程序，只要《2016 年公司法》另有规定予以承认，均可继续具有法律效力，而不会因新法实施而自动失效。

定义的目的（Purpose of the Definition）

设立本定义的主要目的包括：

• 确保先前公司法顺利过渡至《2016 年公司法》；
• 保留依据先前公司法所采取行动的法律效力；
• 维持公司权利、义务及法律程序的连续性；以及
• 避免因法律更替而产生法律解释上的不确定性。

相对应的先前成文法示例（Examples of Corresponding Previous Written Laws）

属于相对应先前成文法的例子包括：

• 《1965 年公司法》（Companies Act 1965）[第 125 号法令]；以及
• 任何曾于马来西亚任何地区生效，并规范公司事务，且其条文与《2016 年公司法》相对应的其他公司法例。

实务示例（Practical Examples）

例子一：依据《1965 年公司法》成立的公司

ABC Sdn. Bhd. 是依据《1965 年公司法》注册成立。

当《2016 年公司法》生效后，ABC Sdn. Bhd. 无须重新注册成立，其法人地位及公司存续均得以延续。

《1965 年公司法》即属于《2016 年公司法》所称的相对应的先前成文法，因此该公司的注册及法律地位继续受到现行法律承认。

例子二：既有董事会决议

某公司依据《1965 年公司法》合法通过一项董事会决议。

除非《2016 年公司法》另有规定，否则该项董事会决议于《2016 年公司法》生效后仍然具有法律效力。

例子三：公司秘书的委任

某公司秘书依据《1965 年公司法》获合法委任。

当《2016 年公司法》生效后，只要符合过渡条文及继续遵守现行法例，该公司秘书可继续留任，无须重新委任。

法律效力（Legal Effect）

当《2016 年公司法》提及**相对应的先前成文法（Corresponding Previous Written Law）**时，一般表示：

• 根据先前法律取得的权利继续有效（Rights Acquired under the Previous Law Remain Valid）；
• 根据先前法律承担的义务，在适用情况下继续存在（Obligations Continue Where Applicable）；
• 根据先前法律作出的批准、许可证、委任、登记及其他法律行为继续有效，除非《2016 年公司法》另有规定；以及
• 正在进行中的法律程序、调查或执法行动，不会仅因《2016 年公司法》取代旧法而失去法律效力。

合规提示（Compliance Note）

于《2016 年公司法》生效前已成立的公司，应确保：

• 公司法定记录符合《2016 年公司法》的规定；
• 持续履行《2016 年公司法》规定的各项法定义务；以及
• 于有需要时，检视过去依据旧法作出的公司文件、决议及企业行为，以确保其符合现行法律框架。

重要性（Importance）

“相对应的先前成文法”（Corresponding Previous Written Law） 的定义，为马来西亚公司法建立了完善的法律衔接机制。

透过承认与《2016 年公司法》相对应的先前公司法例，确保公司、董事、高级人员、股东、债权人及其他利益相关者，不会因法律更新而影响其既有权利、义务或法律地位。

此定义有助于促进马来西亚公司法制度的法律确定性（Legal Certainty）、制度稳定性（Stability）及法律连续性（Continuity），确保企业能够在统一及稳定的法律框架下持续经营与发展。