COMPANIES ACT 2016
“Minister” means the Minister charged with the responsibility for companies;
Under the Companies Act 2016, the term "Minister" refers to the member of the Federal Cabinet who has been assigned responsibility for matters relating to the administration of company law in Malaysia.
The Companies Act 2016 does not identify the Minister by name or by a specific ministry. Instead, the definition refers to the office or portfolio responsible for companies. This ensures that the Act remains applicable even if there are changes to ministerial appointments or government restructuring.
Accordingly, whenever the Companies Act 2016 refers to the Minister, it means the Minister who, at the relevant time, has been entrusted by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong with responsibility for the administration of the Companies Act 2016.
Purpose of the Definition
The definition provides flexibility by:
- Avoiding the need to amend the Companies Act whenever there is a change of government or ministerial portfolio.
- Ensuring continuity in the administration of company law.
- Identifying the authority responsible for exercising statutory powers conferred by the Companies Act 2016.
- Enabling ministerial powers to continue regardless of changes in the name or structure of the ministry.
Functions of the Minister under the Companies Act 2016
The Minister is responsible for overseeing the implementation and administration of the Companies Act 2016 and may exercise powers conferred by the Act, including:
- Making subsidiary legislation, regulations, or orders where authorised by the Act;
- Prescribing forms, fees, or procedural requirements where permitted;
- Granting approvals or exemptions in circumstances provided by the Act;
- Supervising the overall administration of company law through the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM);
- Issuing directions where authorised by legislation; and
- Performing any other statutory functions assigned under the Companies Act 2016.
Many of these powers are exercised on the recommendation of, or in consultation with, the Registrar of Companies or the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM).
Relationship Between the Minister and SSM
The Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) is the statutory body responsible for administering and enforcing the Companies Act 2016 on a day-to-day basis.
Practical Examples
Example 1 – Regulations
The Companies Act 2016 authorises the Minister to make regulations prescribing additional procedural requirements.
The regulations become subsidiary legislation under the authority granted by the Act.
Example 2 – Ministerial Approval
Certain provisions of the Companies Act 2016 require approval from the Minister before a specified action may be taken.
In such cases, the approval must be obtained from the Minister responsible for companies at the relevant time.
Example 3 – Change of Government
Following a Cabinet reshuffle, responsibility for company law is transferred from one ministry to another.
Although the identity of the Minister changes, references to the Minister in the Companies Act 2016 automatically refer to the newly appointed Minister responsible for companies without requiring any amendment to the Act.
Compliance Requirements
Companies should ensure that they:
- Comply with any regulations, orders, or subsidiary legislation made by the Minister under the Companies Act 2016;
- Observe any ministerial approvals or exemptions required by the Act;
- Follow directives issued under statutory authority where applicable; and
- Keep abreast of legislative amendments and regulatory changes introduced under the Minister's authority.
Importance
The definition of "Minister" provides administrative flexibility and continuity in the operation of the Companies Act 2016. By referring to the Minister responsible for companies rather than a named individual or specific ministry, the Act remains effective despite changes in government, ministerial appointments, or administrative restructuring. The Minister plays an important role in shaping corporate regulation through the exercise of statutory powers, the making of subsidiary legislation, and oversight of the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), thereby supporting the effective governance and development of Malaysia's corporate legal framework.
《2016 年公司法》
“部长”（Minister） 是指负责公司事务（Companies）的部长。
实务说明（Practical Explanation）
根据《2016 年公司法》，“部长（Minister）” 是指马来西亚联邦内阁中，当时负责公司事务及公司法行政管理工作的部长。
《2016 年公司法》并没有指明部长的姓名，也没有限定必须属于某一个特定政府部门，而是采用**“负责公司事务的部长”**这一法律定义。
这种立法方式确保即使政府改组、内阁重组、部长更替或政府部门名称发生变化，《2016 年公司法》仍可持续适用，而毋须因部长职务变动而修订法律。
因此，当《2016 年公司法》提及**“部长（Minister）”时，是指于有关时间，由国家元首（Yang di-Pertuan Agong）委任并负责《2016 年公司法》行政管理事务的部长。**
定义的目的（Purpose of the Definition）
《2016 年公司法》采用此定义，主要具有以下目的：
- 避免因政府更替或部长更换而频繁修订《2016 年公司法》；
- 确保公司法行政管理工作的持续性及稳定性；
- 明确负责行使《2016 年公司法》法定权力的主管机关；
- 即使主管部门名称或组织架构改变，部长依法享有的法定权力仍可继续行使。
部长在《2016 年公司法》下的职能（Functions of the Minister under the Companies Act 2016）
部长负责监督《2016 年公司法》的实施及行政管理，并依法行使《2016 年公司法》赋予的权力，包括：
- 在法律授权范围内制定附属法例（Subsidiary Legislation）、规例（Regulations）或命令（Orders）；
- 于法律允许情况下，订明法定表格、收费标准或程序要求；
- 根据法律规定批准、豁免或授权有关事项；
- 透过**马来西亚公司委员会（Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia，SSM）**监督全国公司法的整体执行及管理；
- 于法律授权范围内发出有关指示（Directions）；以及
- 履行《2016 年公司法》赋予部长的其他法定职责。
在实际行政运作中，上述许多权力通常由部长根据**公司注册官（Registrar of Companies）或马来西亚公司委员会（SSM）**的建议，或经与其协商后行使。
实务示例（Practical Examples）
例子一：制定规例（Regulations）
《2016 年公司法》授权部长制定规例，以订明额外的程序要求。
部长依法制定有关规例后，该规例即成为《2016 年公司法》下的附属法例（Subsidiary Legislation），具有法律效力。
例子二：部长批准（Ministerial Approval）
《2016 年公司法》某些条文规定，公司必须取得部长批准后，方可进行指定事项。
在这种情况下，公司必须向当时负责公司事务的部长申请批准。
例子三：政府改组（Change of Government）
政府进行内阁改组后，公司事务由原负责部门移交至另一政府部门管理。
虽然负责部长已经更换，但《2016 年公司法》所指的**“部长（Minister）”** 将自动解释为新任负责公司事务的部长，而毋须修订《2016 年公司法》。
合规要求（Compliance Requirements）
公司应确保：
- 遵守部长依据《2016 年公司法》制定的规例、命令及附属法例；
- 于法律规定情况下，取得部长所需的批准、同意或豁免；
- 遵守部长依据法定授权发出的指示（如适用）；
- 持续关注部长依据法律所推行的新法规、政策及监管措施；以及
- 配合马来西亚公司委员会（SSM）落实由部长制定或批准的各项监管要求。
重要性（Importance）
“部长（Minister）” 的定义，为《2016 年公司法》的行政管理提供了持续性、灵活性及法律确定性。
《2016 年公司法》并非指定某一位部长或某一政府部门，而是采用**“负责公司事务的部长”**这一职务性定义，使法律能够随着政府组织架构、部长职务及行政安排的变化而持续有效运作，无须因内阁改组或部门重组而频繁修订法例。
这一制度的重要意义包括：
- 确保《2016 年公司法》在任何政府架构下均能持续有效执行；
- 维持公司法行政管理的连续性及稳定性；
- 赋予部长依法制定附属法例、规例及行政措施的权力，以配合法律及商业环境的发展；
- 透过监督马来西亚公司委员会（SSM）的行政工作，强化公司法的执行及企业监管；以及
- 支持马来西亚建立透明、稳健及现代化的公司法律制度，促进企业治理、投资信心及资本市场的持续发展。
Malaysia
