Companies Act 1965
Companies Act 1965
Companies Act 1965
LAWS OF MALAYSIA
REPRINT
Act 125
COMPANIES ACT 1965 First enacted Revised ... ... ... ... … … … 1965 (Act
No. 79 of 1965) 1973 (Act 125 w.e.f. 14 December 1973)
… …………………
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
PART I PRELIMINARY
Section
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11. 12. 13. Registers Enforcement of duty to make returns Relodging of lost
registered documents PART III CONSTITUTION OF COMPANIES
DIVISION 1 INCORPORATION
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14.
Formation of companies
19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31.
42A. Supplemental prospectus 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. Document containing offer
of shares for sale to be deemed prospectus (Deleted) Expert’s consent to
issue of prospectus containing statement by him Civil liability for
misstatements in prospectus Criminal liability for statement in prospectus
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DIVISION 2 RESTRICTIONS ON ALLOTMENT AND COMMENCEMENT OF BUSINESS
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Section
DIVISION 3 SHARES
54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67.
67A. Purchase by a company of its own shares, etc. 68. 69. Options over
unissued shares Power of company to pay interest out of capital in certain
cases
70. 71. 72. 73. 74. 75. 76. 77. 78. 79. 80.
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81. 82. 83. Obligation of guarantor corporation to furnish information
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84. 85. 86. 87. 88. 89. 90. 91. 92. 93. 94. 95. 96. 97.
98. 99. 100. 101. 102. 103. 104. 105. 106. 107.
108. 109. 110. 111. 112. 113. 114. 115. 116. 117. 118.
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DIVISION 2 DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
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Section
122.
Directors
122A. Persons connected with a director 123. 124. 125. 126. 127. 128. 129.
130. 130A. 131. 132. 132A. 132B. 132C. 132D. 132E. 132F. 132G. 133. 133A.
134. 135. 136. 137. 138. 139. 139A. 139B. 139C. 139D. 140. 141.
Restrictions on appointment or advertisement of director Qualification of
directors Undischarged bankrupts acting as directors Appointment of
directors to be voted on individually Validity of acts of directors and
officers Removal of directors Age limit for directors Power to restrain
certain persons from managing companies Disqualification of directors of
insolvent companies Disclosure of interest in contracts, property, offices,
etc. As to the duty and liability of officers Dealings by officers in
securities Prohibition on abuse information obtained in official capacity
Approval of company required for disposal by directors of company’s
undertaking or property Approval of company required for issue of shares by
directors Substantial property transactions involving directors Exception
and definition Prohibited transactions involving shareholders and directors
Loans to directors Prohibition of loans to persons connected with directors
Register of directors’ shareholdings, etc. General duty to make disclosure
Prohibition of tax-free payments to directors Payments to director for loss
of office, etc. Provisions as to assignment of office Secretary
Qualification for company secretary Licence to act as company secretary
Disqualification Appeal Provisions indemnifying directors or officers
Register of directors, managers and secretaries
Companies
DIVISION 3 MEETINGS AND PROCEEDINGS
Section
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142. 143. 144. 145. 146. 147. 148. 149. 150. 151. 152. 153. 154. 155. 156.
157.
165. 166.
Annual return by company having a share capital Exemption from filing list
of members with annual return for certain public companies
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PART VI ACCOUNT AND AUDIT
DIVISION 1 ACCOUNTS
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Section
166A. Compliance with approved accounting standards 167. 168. 169. Accounts
to be kept As to accounting periods of companies within the same group
Profit and loss account, balance-sheet and directors’ report
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182. 183. 184. 185. 186. 187. 188. 189. 190. 191. 192.
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207. 208.
Subdivision (1)—General 217. 218. 219. 220. 221. 222. 223. 224. 225. 226.
Application of winding up Circumstances in which company may be wound up by
Court Commencement of winding up by the Court As to payment of preliminary
costs, etc., by petitioner (other than company or liquidator) Powers of
Court on hearing petition Power to stay or restrain proceedings against
company Avoidance of dispositions of property, etc. Avoidance of certain
attachments, etc. Petition to be lis pendens Copy of order to be lodged,
etc.
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Subdivision (2)-Liquidators
Section
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227. 228. 229. 230. 231. 232. 233. 234. 235. 236. 237. 238. 239. 240.
241. 242. 243. 244. 245. 246. 247. 248. 249. 250. 251. 252. 253.
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DIVISION 3 VOLUNTARY WINDING UP
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Subdivision (1)—Introductory
Section
258. 259.
264. 265. 266. 267. 268. 269. 270. 271. 272. 273.
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Subdivision (1)—General 277. 278. 279. 280. 281. 282. 283. 284. 285. 286.
287. 288. 289. 290. Books to be kept by liquidator Powers of Official
Receiver where no committee of inspection Appeal against decision of
liquidator Notice of appointment and address of liquidator or provisional
liquidator Liquidator’s accounts Liquidator to make good defaults
Notification that a company is in liquidation Books of company Investment
of surplus funds on general account Unclaimed assets to be paid to receiver
of revenue Expenses of winding up where assets insufficient Resolutions
passed at adjourned meetings of creditors and contributories Meetings to
ascertain wishes of creditors or contributories Special commission for
receiving evidence Subdivision (2)—Proof and Ranking of Claims 291. 292.
Proof of debts Priorities Subdivision (3)—Effect on other Transactions 293.
294. Undue preference Effect of floating charge
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Section
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Subdivision (4)—Offences 300. 301. 302. 303. 304. 305. 306. Offences by
officers of companies in liquidation Inducement to be appointed liquidator
Penalty for falsification of books Liability where proper accounts not kept
Responsibility for fraudulent trading Power of Court to assess damages
against delinquent officers, etc. Prosecution of delinquent officers and
members of company
Subdivision (5)—Dissolution 307. 308. 309. 310. 311. 312. 313. Power of
Court to declare dissolution of company void Power of Registrar to strike
defunct company off register Registrar to act as representative of defunct
company in certain events Outstanding assets of defunct company to vest in
Registrar Outstanding interests in property how disposed of Liability of
Registrar and Government as to property vested in Registrar Accounts and
audit
DIVISION 5 WINDING UP OF UNREGISTERED COMPANIES
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319. 320. 321. 322. 323. 324. 325. 326. 327. 328.
332A. Annual return 333. 334. 335. 336. 337. 338. 339. As to registered
office and agents of foreign companies Transitory provision Return to be
filed where documents, etc., altered Balance sheets As to fee payable on
registration of foreign company because of establishment of a share
register in Malaysia Obligation to state name of foreign company, whether
limited, and place where incorporated Service of notice
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Cesser of business in Malaysia Restriction on use of certain names The
branch register Registration of shares in branch register Removal of shares
from branch register
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340. 341. 342. 343. 344. 345. 346. 347. 348. 349.
350. 351. 352. 353. 354. 355. 356. 357. 358. 359. 360. 361. 362.
363.
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ACT 125
Companies LAWS OF MALAYSIA Act 125 COMPANIES ACT 1965 An Act relating to
companies.
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Short title 1. (1) This Act may be cited as the Companies Act 1965. (2)
(Omitted). 2. (Omitted).
Repeals 3. (1) The written laws mentioned in the First Schedule to the
extent to which they are therein expressed to be repealed or amended are
hereby repealed or amended accordingly. Transitory provisions (2) Unless
the contrary intention appears in this Act— (a) all persons, things and
circumstances appointed or created by or under any of the repealed or
amended written laws or existing or continuing under any of such written
laws immediately before the commencement of this Act shall under and
subject to this Act continue to have the same status operation and effect
as they respectively would have had if those written laws had not been so
repealed or amended; and
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and also includes such working papers and other documents as are necessary
to explain the methods and calculations by which accounts are made up;
“accounts” means profit and loss accounts and balance sheets and includes
notes or statements required by this Act (other than auditors’ reports or
directors’ reports) and attached or intended to be read with profit and
loss accounts or balance sheets; “annual general meeting” in relation to a
company means a meeting of the company required to be held by section 143;
“annual return” means— (a) in relation to a company having a share capital,
the return required to be made by subsection 165(1); and (b) in relation to
a company not having a share capital, the return required to be made by
subsection 165(5), and includes any document accompanying the return;
“appointed date” has the same meaning as is assigned to that expression in
the Companies Commission of Malaysia Act 2001 [Act 614]; “approved company
auditor” means a person approved as such by the Minister under section 8
whose approval has not been revoked; “approved liquidator” means an
approved company auditor who has been approved by the Minister under
section 8 as a liquidator and whose approval has not been revoked;
“articles” means articles of association; “banking corporation” means a
licensed bank, a licensed merchant bank and an Islamic bank; “books”
includes any register or other record of information and any accounts or
accounting records, however compiled, recorded or stored, and also includes
any document; “borrowing corporation” means a corporation that is or will
be under a liability (whether or not such liability is present or future)
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(b) in relation to any issue of, offer for subscription or purchase of, or
invitation to subscribe for or purchase, shares made pursuant to the
Securities Commission Act 1993 [Act 498], means the amount stated in the
prospectus relating to the issue, offer or invitation in pursuance of the
requirements of the Securities Commission relating to contents of
prospectuses, as the minimum amount which in the opinion of the directors
must be raised by the issue of the shares so offered; “Minister” means the
Minister charged with the responsibility for companies; “office copy”, in
relation to any Court order or other Court document, means a copy
authenticated under the hand or seal of the Registrar or other proper
officer of the Court; “officer” in relation to a corporation includes— (a)
any director, secretary or employee of the corporation; (b) a receiver and
manager of any part of the undertaking of the corporation appointed under a
power contained in any instrument; and (c) any liquidator of a company
appointed in a voluntary winding up, but does not include— (d) any receiver
who is not also a manager; (e) any receiver and manager appointed by the
Court; or (f) any liquidator appointed by the Court or by the creditors;
“Official Receiver” means the Director General of Insolvency, Deputy
Director General of Insolvency, Senior Assistant Directors of Insolvency,
Assistant Directors of Insolvency, Insolvency officers and any other
officer appointed under the Bankruptcy Act 1967 [Act 360]; “preference
share” means a share by whatever name called, which does not entitle the
holder thereof to the right to vote at a general meeting or to any right to
participate beyond a specified amount in any distribution whether by way of
dividend, or on redemption, in a winding up, or otherwise;
Companies “prescribed” means prescribed by or under this Act;
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(iv) upon a proposal to wind up the body corporate; (v) upon a proposal for
the disposal of the whole of the property, business and undertakings of the
body corporate; (vi) during the winding up of the body corporate. (1A) In
this Act— (a) “licensed bank”, “licensed business”, “licensed discount
house”, “licensed finance company”, “licensed institution”, “licensed
merchant bank”, “licensed money broker”, “nonscheduled institution”,
“scheduled business” and “scheduled institution” shall have the meanings
assigned thereto in subsection 2(1) of the Banking and Financial
Institutions Act 1989 [Act 372]; and (b) “Islamic bank” or “Islamic banking
business” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the Islamic Banking
Act 1983 [Act 276]. (2) For the purposes of this Act a person shall not be
regarded as a person in accordance with whose directions or instructions
the directors of a company are accustomed to act by reason only that the
directors act on advice given by him in a professional capacity. (3) For
the purposes of this Act a statement included in a prospectus or statement
in lieu of prospectus shall be deemed to be untrue if it is misleading in
the form and context in which it is included. (4) For the purposes of this
Act a statement shall be deemed to be included in a prospectus or statement
in lieu of prospectus if it is contained in any report or memorandum
appearing on the face thereof or by reference incorporated therein or
issued therewith. (5) For the purposes of this Act any invitation to the
public to deposit money with or to lend money to a corporation shall be
deemed to be an invitation to subscribe for or purchase debentures of the
corporation and any document that is issued or intended or required to be
issued by a corporation acknowledging or evidencing or constituting an
acknowledgement of the indebtedness of the corporation in respect of any
money that is or may be deposited with or lent to the corporation in
response to such an invitation shall be deemed to be a debenture, but an
invitation to the public
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(c) the fact that the exercise of a right conferred by the interest is, or
is capable of being made subject to restraint or restriction; or (d) the
fact that it is held by, or in the name of, a central depository or its
nominee company pursuant to the Securities Industry (Central Depositories)
Act 1991 [Act 453]. PART II
ADMINISTRATION OF ACT
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(13) Neither the Registrar nor any person appointed by the Commission under
subsection (1A) or deemed to have been appointed under subsection (1B)
shall be liable to be sued in any court for any act or matter done or
ordered to be done or omitted to be done, by him in good faith and in the
intended exercise of any power or performance of any duty, conferred or
imposed on him by or under this Act. Fees (14) Subject to section 7A, there
shall be paid to the Registrar— (a) the fees specified in the Second
Schedule; and (b) such other fees as are prescribed, and such fees shall be
collected by the Registrar in such manner as the Minister may, from time to
time, direct. Power of Minister to exempt from payment of fees 7A. The
Minister may, by order published in the Gazette, exempt any statutory body
or government agency from paying any or all of the fees specified in the
Second Schedule or prescribed under this Act. Power to conduct inspection
7B. (1) For the purpose of ascertaining whether a corporation or any
officer of a corporation is complying with this Act, the Registrar may have
access to any place or building and may inspect and make copies of or take
extracts from any book, minute book, register or document required by or
under this Act to be kept by the corporation. (2) For the purposes of this
section, the Registrar may by notice in writing require any officer of a
corporation or any person to produce to him such books, registers or
documents as are in the custody or under the control of that officer or
person. (3) A corporation which, any officer of the corporation or any
person who— (a) fails to produce any such books, registers or documents as
required by the Registrar under this section; or
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(b) obstructs or hinders the Registrar while exercising any of the powers
under this section, shall be guilty of an offence against this Act.
Penalty: Imprisonment for three years or ten thousand ringgit or both. (4)
The Registrar, except for the purposes of this Act, or in the course of any
criminal proceedings, shall not make a record of, or divulge or communicate
to any other person, any information which he has acquired by reason of
such inspection. (5) Subsection (1) shall not be construed as limiting or
affecting any power to make any such inspection conferred on any person by
any other law. Power to conduct investigation 7C. (1) Where the Registrar
has reason to suspect that a person has committed an offence against this
Act, he may make such investigation as he thinks expedient for the due
administration of this Act. (2) Whenever it appears to any Magistrate upon
written information and after such enquiry as he thinks necessary, that
there is reasonable cause to believe that in any place or building there is
any object, article, material, thing, accounts, book or other document
including any travel or other personal document, which may be used as
evidence of the commission of an offence against this Act, he may by
warrant empower the Registrar to enter the place or building, by force if
necessary, and there to search for, seize, take possession of and detain
any such object, article, material, thing, accounts, book or other
document. (3) Whenever it appears to the Registrar that there is reasonable
cause to believe that in any place or building there is concealed or
deposited any object, article, material, thing, accounts, book or other
document including any travel or other personal document which may be used
as evidence of the commission of an offence against this Act, and the
Registrar has reasonable grounds for believing that by reason of the delay
in obtaining a search warrant, such object, article, material, thing,
accounts, book or other document may be interfered with or destroyed or the
object of the search is
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(b) without reasonable excuse refuses to answer all questions put to him by
the Registrar as required by subsection (2); or (c) knowingly furnishes to
the Registrar information or statement that is false or misleading in a
material particular, shall be guilty of an offence against this Act.
Penalty: Imprisonment for five years or thirty thousand ringgit or both.
Company auditors and liquidators to be approved by Minister charged with
responsibility for finance 8. (1) Any person may apply to the Minister
charged with responsibility for finance to be approved as a company auditor
for the purposes of this Act. (2) The Minister charged with responsibility
for finance may, if he is satisfied that the applicant is of good character
and competent to perform the duties of an auditor under this Act, upon
payment of the prescribed fee, approve the applicant as a company auditor.
(3) Any approved company auditor may apply to the Minister charged with
responsibility for finance to be approved as a liquidator for the purposes
of this Act, and the Minister, if satisfied as to the experience and
capacity of the applicant, may on payment of the prescribed fee approve
such person as a liquidator for the purposes of this Act. (4) Any approval
granted by the Minister charged with responsibility for finance pursuant to
this section may be made subject to such limitations or conditions as he
thinks fit and may be revoked at any time by him by the service of a notice
of revocation on the approved person. (5) Every approval under this section
including a renewal of approval of a company auditor or liquidator shall be
in force for a period of two years* after the date of issue thereof unless
sooner revoked by the Minister charged with responsibility for finance. (6)
A person who immediately before the commencement of this Act was authorized
pursuant to any corresponding previous written law to be an auditor of
companies shall be deemed to have
*NOTE—Provided that any approval or renewal of approval in force
immediately before the coming into operation of Act A616 shall continue in
force until it expires or is sooner revoked by the Minister.
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been approved as a company auditor under this section on the date of the
commencement of this Act but if such person’s approval was limited or
conditional those limitations and conditions shall continue to apply. (7)
The Minister charged with responsibility for finance may delegate all or
any of his powers under this section to any person or body of persons
charged with the responsibility for the registration or control of
accountants in Malaysia. (8) Any person who is dissatisfied with any
decision of the Minister charged with responsibility for finance under this
section or with the decision of any person or body of persons to whom such
Minister has delegated all or any of his powers under this section may
appeal to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong who may in his discretion confirm,
reverse or vary the decision. Company auditors 9. (1) A person shall not
knowingly consent to be appointed, and shall not knowingly act, as auditor
for any company and shall not prepare, for or on behalf of a company, any
report required by this Act to be prepared by an approved company auditor—
(a) if he is not an approved company auditor; (b) if he is indebted to the
company or to a corporation that is deemed to be related to that company by
virtue of section 6 in an amount exceeding two thousand five hundred
ringgit; (c) if he is— (i) an officer of the company; (ii) a partner,
employer or employee of an officer of the company; (iii) a partner or
employee of an employee of an officer of the company; or (iv) a shareholder
or his spouse is a shareholder of a corporation whose employee is an
officer of the company; or (d) if he is responsible for or if he is the
partner, employer or employee of a person responsible for the keeping of
the register of members or the register of holders of debentures of the
company.
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Penalty: *Thirty thousand ringgit. (2) For the purposes of subsection (1),
a person shall be deemed to be an officer of a company if he is an officer
of a corporation that is deemed to be related to the company by virtue of
section 6 or except where the Minister if he thinks fit in the
circumstances of the case directs otherwise, if he has, at any time within
the preceding period of twelve months, been an officer or promoter of the
company or of such a corporation. (3) For the purposes of this section, a
person shall not be deemed to be an officer by reason only of his having
been appointed as auditor of a corporation. (4) A firm shall not knowingly
consent to be appointed, and shall not knowingly act, as auditor for any
company and shall not prepare, for or on behalf of a company, any report
required by this Act to be prepared by an approved company auditor unless—
(a) all the partners of the firm resident in Malaysia are approved company
auditors and, where the firm is not registered as a firm under any law for
the time being in force, a return showing the full names and addresses of
all the partners of the firm has been lodged with the Registrar; and (b) no
partner is disqualified under paragraph (1)(b), (c) or (d) from acting as
the auditor of the company. (5) If a firm contravenes subsection (4) each
partner of the firm shall be guilty of an offence. Penalty: *Thirty
thousand ringgit. (6) No company or person shall appoint a person as
auditor of a company unless that last-mentioned person has prior to the
appointment consented in writing to act as such auditor, and no company or
person shall appoint a firm as auditor of a company unless the firm has
prior to the appointment consented, in writing under the hand of at least
one partner of the firm, to act as such auditor. (7) The appointment of a
firm in the name of the firm as auditors of a company shall take effect and
operate as an appointment as auditors of the company of the persons who are
members of that firm at the time of the appointment.
*NOTE—Previously “two thousand ringgit”–see Companies (Amendment) (No. 2)
Act 1992 [Act A836].
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10. (1) Subject to this section a person shall not, except with the leave
of the Court, consent to be appointed, and shall not act, as liquidator of
a company— (a) if he is not an approved liquidator; (b) if he is indebted
to the company or to a corporation that is deemed to be related to the
company by virtue of section 6 in an amount exceeding two thousand five
hundred ringgit; (c) if he is— (i) an officer of the company; (ii) a
partner, employer or employee of an officer of the company; or (iii) a
partner or employee of an employee of an officer of the company; (d) if he
becomes bankrupt; (e) if he assigns his estate for the benefit of his
creditors or makes an arrangement with his creditors pursuant to any law
relating to bankruptcy; or (f) if he is convicted of an offence involving
fraud or dishonesty punishable on conviction by imprisonment for three
months or more. Penalty: *Thirty thousand ringgit. (2) Paragraphs (1)(a)
and (c) shall not apply— (a) to a members’ voluntary winding up; or (b) to
a creditors’ voluntary winding up if, by a resolution carried by a majority
of the creditors in number and value present in person or by proxy and
voting at a meeting of which seven days’ notice has been given to every
creditor stating the object of the meeting, it is determined those
paragraphs or either of them shall not apply.
*NOTE—Previously “two thousand ringgit”–see Companies (Amendment) (No. 2)
Act 1992 [Act A836].
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(5) The Registrar may, by order published in the Gazette, prescribe the
documents that may be electronically filed or lodged. (6) A document that
is required to be stamped, signed or sealed shall, if it is to be
electronically filed or lodged be certified or authenticated in such manner
as may be prescribed by regulations or approved by the Registrar.
Evidentiary value of copies of electronically filed documents certified by
Registrar (7) A copy of or an extract from any document electronically
filed or lodged with the Registrar under subsection (1) supplied or issued
by the Registrar and certified to be a true copy thereof or extract
therefrom under the hand and seal of the Registrar shall be admissible in
evidence in any proceedings as of equal validity as the original document.
(8) Where a document is electronically filed or lodged with the Registrar,
the Registrar or his authorized agents shall not be liable for any loss or
damage suffered by any person by reason of any error or omission of
whatever nature or however arising appearing in any document obtained by
any person under the service referred to in subsection (1) if such error or
omission was made in good faith and in the ordinary course of the discharge
of the duties of the Registrar or of his authorized agents or occurred or
arose as a result of any defect or breakdown in the service or in the
equipment used for the provision of the service. Enforcement of duty to
make returns 12. (1) If a corporation or person, having made default in
complying with— (a) any provision of this Act or of any other law which
requires the lodging or filing in any manner with the Registrar or the
Official Receiver of any return, account or other document or the giving of
notice to him of any matter; or (b) any request of the Registrar or the
Official Receiver to amend or complete and resubmit any document or to
submit a fresh document, fails to make good the default within fourteen
days after the service on the corporations or person of a notice requiring
it to be done,
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(c) the correctness of the copy of the document produced to him, the
Registrar may certify the same upon the copy and direct that the copy be
lodged in the manner required by law in respect of the original. (4) Upon
the lodgment the copy for all purposes shall, from such date as is
mentioned in the certificate as the date of the filing or lodging of the
original with the Registrar, have the same force and effect as the
original. (5) The Court may, by order upon application by any person
aggrieved and after notice to any other person whom the Court directs,
confirm, vary or rescind the certificate and the order may be lodged with
the Registrar and shall be registered by him, but no payments, contracts,
dealings, acts and things made, had or done in good faith before the
registration of the order and upon the faith of and in reliance upon the
certificate shall be invalidated or affected by the variation or
rescission. (6) No fee shall be payable upon the lodging of a document
under this section. (7) If default is made in complying with the direction
of the Registrar under subsection (2A), the corporation and any officer of
the corporation who is in default shall be guilty of an offence against
this Act. Penalty: Five thousand ringgit. Default penalty. PART III
CONSTITUTION OF COMPANIES
DIVISION 1
INCORPORATION
Formation of companies 14. (1) Subject to this Act any two or more persons
associated for any lawful purpose may by subscribing their names to a
memorandum and complying with the requirements as to registration form an
incorporated company.
Companies (2) A company may be— (a) a company limited by shares; (b) a
company limited by guarantee; (c) a company limited both by shares and
guarantee; or (d) an unlimited company.
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payment of the appropriate fees shall subject to this Act register the
company by registering the memorandum and articles, if any. Statutory
declarations (2) The person named in the articles as the first secretary of
the company shall lodge with the Registrar a declaration in the prescribed
form stating that all or any of the requirements of this Act have been
complied with and containing such information as may be prescribed, and the
Registrar may accept such a declaration as sufficient evidence of
compliance. (3) (Deleted by Act A836). Subscriber to lodge statutory
declaration (3A) Every promoter of a proposed company who is a natural
person shall before the incorporation of the company make and lodge with
the Registrar and the Official Receiver a statutory declaration in the form
prescribed by regulations that he will not be acting in contravention of
sections 125 and 130. Certificate of incorporation (4) On the registration
of the memorandum the Registrar shall certify under his hand and seal that
the company is on and from the date specified in the certificate
incorporated, and that the company is— (a) a company limited by shares; (b)
a company limited by guarantee; (c) a company limited both by shares and
guarantee; or (d) an unlimited company. as the case may be, and where
applicable, that it is a private company. Effect of incorporation (5) On
and from the date of incorporation specified in the certificate of
incorporation but subject to this Act the subscribers to the memorandum
together with such other persons as may from time to time become members of
the company shall be a body corporate by the name contained in the
memorandum capable forthwith of exercising all the functions of an
incorporated company and of
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suing and being sued and having perpetual succession and a common seal with
power to hold land but with such liability on the part of the members to
contribute to the assets of the company in the event of its being wound up
as is provided by this Act. Members of company (6) The subscribers to the
memorandum shall be deemed to have agreed to become members of the company
and on the incorporation of the company shall be entered as members in its
register of members, and every other person who agrees to become a member
of a company and whose name is entered in its register of members shall be
a member of the company. (7) The Registrar shall not register a memorandum
and articles, if any, of a proposed company unless the memorandum or
articles contain the names of at least two persons who are to be the first
directors of the proposed company. (8) Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary in this Act or any rule of law, the Registrar shall refuse to
register the memorandum of a proposed company if he is satisfied that— (a)
the proposed company is likely to be used for unlawful purposes or any
purpose prejudicial to or incompatible with peace, welfare, security,
public order, good order or morality in Malaysia; or (b) it would be
prejudicial to national security or public interest for the proposed
company to be registered. Membership of holding company 17. (1) A
corporation cannot be a member of a company which is its holding company,
and any allotment or transfer of shares in a company to its subsidiary
shall be void. (2) Subsection (1) shall not apply where the subsidiary is
concerned as personal representative, or where it is concerned as trustee,
unless the holding company or a subsidiary thereof is beneficially
interested under the trust and is not so interested only by way of security
for the purposes of a transaction entered into by it in the ordinary course
of a business which includes the lending of money.
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(3) This section shall not prevent a subsidiary which is, at the
commencement of this Act, a member of its holding company, from continuing
to be a member but, subject to subsection (2), the subsidiary shall have no
right to vote at meetings of the holding company or any class of members
thereof. (4) This section shall not prevent a subsidiary from continuing to
be a member of its holding company if, at the time when it becomes a
subsidiary thereof, it already holds shares in that holding company, but—
(a) subject to subsection (2), the subsidiary shall have no right to vote
at meetings of the holding company or any class of members thereof; and (b)
the subsidiary shall, within the period of twelve months or such longer
period as the Court may allow after becoming the subsidiary of its holding
company, dispose of all of its shares in the holding company. (5) Subject
to subsection (2), subsections (1), (3) and (4) thereof shall apply in
relation to a nominee for a corporation which is a subsidiary as if
references in those subsections to such a corporation included references
to a nominee for it. (6) This section shall not operate to prevent the
allotment of shares in a holding company to a subsidiary which already
lawfully holds shares in the holding company if the allotment is made by
way of capitalization of reserves of the holding company and is made to all
members of the holding company on a basis which is in direct proportion to
the number of shares held by each member in the holding company. (7) Where
but for this section a subsidiary would have been entitled to subscribe for
shares in the holding company, the holding company may, on behalf of the
subsidiary, sell the shares for which the subsidiary would otherwise have
been entitled to subscribe. (8) In relation to a holding company that is
either a company limited by guarantee or an unlimited company, the
reference in this section to shares, whether or not it has a share capital,
shall be construed as including a reference to the interest of its members
as such, whatever the form of that interest.
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(4) Any company which is dissatisfied with any decision of the Minister
under subsection (2) may within one month of such decision appeal to the
Yang di-Pertuan Agong who shall have power to confirm, reverse or vary the
decision. (5) Every decision by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and every
decision by the Minister under this section, unless such decision is
reversed or varied by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong under this section, shall
be final and shall not be called into question by any court. Ultra vires
transactions 20. (1) No act or purported act of a company (including the
entering into of an agreement by the company and including any act done on
behalf of a company by an officer or agent of the company under any
purported authority, whether express or implied, of the company) and no
conveyance or transfer of property, whether real or personal, to or by a
company shall be invalid by reason only of the fact that the company was
without capacity or power to do the act or to execute or take the
conveyance or transfer. (2) Any such lack of capacity or power may be
asserted or relied upon only in— (a) proceedings against the company by any
member of the company or, where the company has issued debentures secured
by a floating charge over all or any of the company’s property, by the
holder of any of those debentures or the trustee for the holders of those
debentures to restrain the doing of any act or acts or the conveyance or
transfer of any property to or by the company; (b) any proceedings by the
company or by any member of the company against the present or former
officers of the company; or (c) any petition by the Minister to wind up the
company. (3) If the unauthorized act, conveyance or transfer sought to be
restrained in any proceedings under paragraph (2)(a) is being or is to be
performed or made pursuant to any contract to which the company is a party,
the Court may, if all the parties to the contract are parties to the
proceedings and if the Court deems it to be just and equitable, set aside
and restrain the performance of the contract and may allow to the company
or to the other parties to the
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contract (as the case requires) compensation for the loss or damage
sustained by either of them which may result from the action of the Court
in setting aside and restraining the performance of the contract but
anticipated profits to be derived from the performance of the contract
shall not be awarded by the Court as a loss or damage sustained. General
provisions as to alteration of memorandum 21. (1) The memorandum of a
company may be altered to the extent and in the manner provided by this Act
but not otherwise. (1A) Notwithstanding subsection (1) and subject to
section 33 and section 181, if a provision of the memorandum of a company
could lawfully have been contained in the articles of the company, the
company may, by special resolution, alter the memorandum— (a) by altering;
or (b) by deleting, the provision, unless the memorandum itself prohibits
the alteration or deletion of that provision. (1B) Nothing in subsection
(1A) permits the alteration or deletion of a provision of the memorandum
that relates to rights to which only members included in a particular class
of members are entitled. (2) In addition to observing and subject to any
other provision of this Act requiring the lodging with the Registrar of any
resolution of a company or order of the Court or other document affecting
the memorandum of a company, the company shall within fourteen days after
the passing of any such resolution or the making of any such order lodge
with the Registrar a copy of the resolution or other document or an office
copy of the order together with (unless the Registrar dispenses therewith)
a printed copy of the memorandum as altered, and if default is made in
complying with this subsection the company and every officer of the company
who is in default shall be guilty of an offence against this Act. Penalty:
*One thousand ringgit. Default penalty. (3) The Registrar shall register
every resolution, order or other document lodged with him under this Act
that affects the memorandum of a company and, where an order is so
registered shall certify the registration of that order.
*NOTE—Previously “two hundred and fifty ringgit”–see Companies (Amendment)
Act 1986 [Act A657].
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(4) The certificate of the Registrar shall be conclusive evidence that all
the requirements of this Act with respect to the alteration and any
confirmation thereof have been complied with. (5) Notice of the
registration shall be published in such manner, if any, as the Court or the
Registrar directs. (6) The Registrar shall, where appropriate, issue a
certificate of incorporation in accordance with the alteration made to the
memorandum. Names of companies 22. (1) Except with the consent of the
Minister, a company shall not be registered by a name that, in the opinion
of the Registrar, is undesirable or is a name, or a name of a kind, that
the Minister has directed the Registrar not to accept for registration. (2)
The Minister shall cause a direction given by him under subsection (1) to
be published in the Gazette. (3) A limited company shall have “Berhad” or
the abbreviation “Bhd.” as part of and at the end of its name. (4) A
private company shall have the word “Sendirian” or the abbreviation “Sdn.”
as part of its name, inserted immediately before the word “Berhad” or
before the abbreviation “Bhd.” or in the case of an unlimited company, at
the end of its name. (5) It shall be lawful to use and no description of a
company shall be deemed inadequate or incorrect by reason of the use of—
(a) the abbreviation “Sdn.” in lieu of the word “Sendirian” contained in
the name of a company; (b) the abbreviation “Bhd.” in lieu of the word
“Berhad” contained in the name of a company; or (c) any of such words in
lieu of the corresponding abbreviation contained in the name of a company.
(6) Prior to the registration of— (a) an intended company or foreign
company; or
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(b) the change of name of a company or foreign company, the applicant for
registration shall apply in the prescribed form to the Registrar for a
search as to the availability of the proposed name of the intended company,
company or foreign company and for reservation of that name, if available.
(7) If the Registrar is satisfied as to the bona fides of the application
and that the proposed name is a name by which the intended company, company
or foreign company could be registered without contravention of subsection
(1), he shall reserve the proposed name for a period of three months from
the date of the lodging of the application. (8) (Deleted by Act A836). (9)
During a period for which a name is reserved, no company or foreign company
(other than the intended company, company or foreign company in respect of
which the name is reserved) shall be registered under this Act, whether
originally or on change of name, under the reserved name or under any other
name that, in the opinion of the Registrar, so closely resembles the
reserved name as to be likely to be mistaken for that name. (10) The
reservation of a name under this section in respect of an intended company,
company or foreign company does not in itself entitle the intended company,
company or foreign company to be registered by that name, either originally
or on change of name. Change of name 23. (1) A company may by special
resolution resolve that its name should be changed to a name by which the
company could have been registered without contravention of subsection
22(1). (2) If the Registrar approves the name which the company has
resolved should be its new name he shall on payment of the prescribed fee
issue a certificate of incorporation of the company under the new name and
upon the issue of such certificate of incorporation the change of name
shall become effective.
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have the word “Sendirian” or the abbreviation “Sdn.” as part of its name
from continuing to use the name set forth in its memorandum immediately
before the commencement of this Act until the expiration of two years after
the commencement of this Act. (6) A change of name pursuant to this Act
shall not affect the identity of the company or any rights or obligations
of the company or render defective any legal proceedings by or against the
company, and any legal proceedings that might have been continued or
commenced by or against it by its former name may be continued or commenced
by or against it by its new name. (7) Where the winding up of a company
commences within one year after the company has changed its name, the
former name as well as the existing name of the company shall appear on all
notices and advertisements in relation to the winding up. Omission of
“Berhad” in name of charitable and other companies 24. (1) Where it is
proved to the satisfaction of the Minister that a proposed limited company
is being formed for the purpose of providing recreation or amusement or
promoting commerce, industry, art, science, religion, charity, pension or
superannuation schemes or any other object useful to the community, and
will apply its profits, if any, or other income in promoting its objects
and will prohibit the payment of any dividend to its members, the Minister
may (after requiring, if he thinks fit, the proposal to be advertised in
such manner as he directs either generally or in a particular case) by
licence direct that it be registered as a company with limited liability
without the addition of the word “Berhad” to its name, and the company may
be registered accordingly. (2) Where it is proved to the satisfaction of
the Minister— (a) that the objects of a limited company are restricted to
those specified in subsection (1) and to objects incidental or conducive
thereto; and (b) that by its constitution the company is required to apply
its profits, if any, or other income in promoting its objects and is
prohibited from paying any dividend to its members, the Minister may by
licence authorize the company to change its name to a name which does not
contain the word “Berhad”, being a name approved by the Registrar.
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(3) A licence under this section may be issued on such conditions as the
Minister thinks fit, and those conditions shall be binding on the company
and shall if the Minister so directs be inserted in the memorandum or
articles of the company and the memorandum or articles may by special
resolution be altered to give effect to any such direction. (4) Where the
memorandum or articles of a company include as a result of a direction of
the Minister given pursuant to subsection (3) or pursuant to any
corresponding previous written law a provision that the memorandum or
articles shall not be altered except with the consent of the Minister the
company may with the consent of the Minister by special resolution alter
any provision of the memorandum or articles. (5) A company shall, while a
licence granted by the Minister under this or under any corresponding
previous written law is in force, be exempted from complying with this Act
relating to the use of the word “Berhad” as any part of its name. (6) A
licence under this section or under any corresponding previous written law
may at any time be revoked by the Minister and upon revocation the
Registrar shall enter the word “Berhad” at the end of the name of the
company upon the register, and the company shall thereupon cease to enjoy
the exemption granted by reason of the licence under this section but
before a licence is so revoked the Minister shall give to the company
notice in writing of his intention and shall afford it an opportunity to be
heard. (7) Where a licence under this section or under any corresponding
previous written law is revoked the memorandum or articles of the Company
may be altered by special resolution so as to remove any provision in or to
the effect that the memorandum or articles may be altered only with the
consent of the Minister and paragraph 19(1)(c) shall apply to the company
as if it had never had a licence under this section. Registration of
unlimited company as limited, etc. 25. (1) Subject to this section, an
unlimited company may convert to a limited company by passing a special
resolution determining so to convert and lodging with the Registrar for
registration a copy of the resolution.
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(2) On the lodging of the copy of the resolution the Registrar shall,
subject to this Act— (a) register the copy; (b) make such endorsements in
or alterations to his registers as are necessary to record the effect of
the resolution with respect to the conversion; and (c) issue to the company
a certificate of incorporation of the company altered to meet the
circumstances of the case and cancel the previous certificate of
incorporation of the company. (3) On issuing the certificate of
incorporation the Registrar may, by notice in writing served on the
company, dispense with the lodging by the company of any document which had
been lodged with him on the occasion of or subsequent to the incorporation
of the company. (4) The conversion shall take effect on the issue of the
certificate of incorporation under subsection (2) and the memorandum shall
thereupon be altered in accordance with the terms of the resolution. (5) A
conversion of a company pursuant to this section shall not affect the
identity of the company or any rights or obligations of the company or
render defective any legal proceedings by or against the company and any
legal proceedings that could have been continued or commenced by or against
it prior to the conversion may, notwithstanding the conversion, be
continued or commenced by or against it after the conversion. Change from
public to private and from private to public company 26. (1) A public
company having a share capital may convert to a private company by lodging
with the Registrar a copy of a special resolution— (a) determining to
convert to a private company and specifying an appropriate alteration to
its name; and (b) altering the provisions or its memorandum or articles so
far as is necessary to impose the restrictions, limitations and
prohibitions referred to in subsection 15(1).
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(3) The notice shall be given to all members, and to all trustees for
debenture holders and if there are no trustees for any class of debenture
holders to all debenture holders of that class whose names are, at the time
of the posting of the notice, known to the company. (4) The Court may, in
the case of any person or class of persons for such reasons as to it seem
sufficient, dispense with the notice required by subsection (2). (5) If an
application for the cancellation of an alteration is made to the Court in
accordance with this section by— (a) the holders of not less in the
aggregate than ten per centum in nominal value of the company’s issued
share capital or any class of that capital or, if the company is not
limited by shares, not less than ten per centum of the company’s members;
or (b) the holders of not less than ten per centum in nominal value of the
company’s debentures, the alteration shall not have effect except so far as
it is confirmed by the Court. (6) The application shall be made within
twenty-one days after the date on which the resolution altering the
company’s objects was passed, and may be made on behalf of the persons
entitled to make the application by such one or more of their number as
they appoint in writing for the purpose. (7) On the application the Court—
(a) shall have regard to the rights and interests of the members of the
company or of any class of them as well as to the rights and interests of
the creditors; (b) may if it thinks fit adjourn the proceedings in order
that an arrangement may be made to the satisfaction of the Court for the
purchase (otherwise than by the company) of the interests of dissentient
members; (c) may give such directions and make such orders as it thinks
expedient for facilitating or carrying into effect any such arrangement;
and
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(3) Subject to this section, any company shall have the power and shall be
deemed always to have had the power to amend its articles by the adoption
of all or any of the regulations contained in Table A, by reference only to
the regulations in the Table or to the numbers of particular regulations
contained therein, without being required in the special resolution
effecting the amendment to set out the text of the regulations so adopted.
As to memorandum and articles of companies limited by guarantee 32. (1) In
the case of a company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital
every provision in the memorandum or articles or in any resolution of the
company purporting to give any person a right to participate in the
divisible profits of the company otherwise than as a member shall be void.
(2) For the purposes of this Act relating to the memorandum of a company
limited by guarantee and of this section, every provision in the memorandum
or articles or in any resolution of a company limited by guarantee
purporting to divide the undertaking of the company into shares or
interests shall be treated as a provision for a share capital
notwithstanding that the nominal amount or number of the shares or
interests is not specified thereby. Effect of memorandum and articles 33.
(1) Subject to this Act the memorandum and articles shall when registered
bind the company and the members thereof to the same extent as if they
respectively had been signed and sealed by each member and contained
covenants on the part of each member to observe all the provisions of the
memorandum and of the articles. (2) All money payable by any member to the
company under the memorandum or articles shall be a debt due from him to
the company. As to effect of alterations on members who do not consent (3)
Notwithstanding anything in the memorandum or articles of a company no
member of the company, unless either before or after the alteration is made
he agrees in writing to be bound thereby, shall be bound by an alteration
made in the memorandum
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under his seal, or, subject to subsection (8), under the appropriate
official seal of the company shall bind the company and have the same
effect as if it were under its common seal. (7) The authority of any such
agent or attorney shall as between the company and any person dealing with
him continue during the period, if any, mentioned in the instrument
conferring the authority, or if no period is there mentioned then until
notice of the revocation or determination of his authority has been given
to the person dealing with him. Official seal for use abroad (8) A company
whose objects require or comprise the transaction of business outside
Malaysia may, if authorized by its articles, have for use in any place
outside Malaysia an official seal, which shall be a facsimile of the common
seal of the company with the addition on its face of the name of the place
where it is to be used and the person affixing any such official seal shall
in writing under his hand certify on the instrument to which it is affixed
the date on which and the place at which it is affixed. Prohibition of
carrying on business with fewer than statutory minimum of members 36. If at
any time the number of members of a company (other than a company the whole
of the issued shares of which are held by a holding company) is reduced
below two and it carries on business for more than six months while the
number is so reduced, a person who is a member of the company during the
time that it so carries on business after those six months and is cognizant
of the fact that it is carrying on business with fewer than two members
shall be liable for the payment of all the debts of the company contracted
during the time that it so carries on business after those six months and
may be sued therefor, and the company and that member shall be guilty of an
offence against this Act if the company so carries on business after those
six months. Penalty: *Two thousand ringgit. Default penalty.
*NOTE—Previously “two hundred and fifty ringgit”–see Companies (Amendment)
Act 1986 [Act A616].
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(e) shall, where the persons making any report specified in Part II of that
Schedule have made therein, or have, without giving the reasons, indicated
therein, any such adjustments as are mentioned in paragraph 31 of that
Schedule, have endorsed thereon or attached thereto, a statement by those
persons setting out the adjustments and giving the reasons therefor; (f)
shall contain a statement that no shares or debentures or that no shares
and debentures (as the case requires) shall be allotted on the basis of the
prospectus later than six months after the date of the issue of the
prospectus; (g) shall, if it contains any statement made by an expert or
contains what purports to be a copy of or extract from a report, memorandum
or valuation of an expert, state the date on which the statement, report,
memorandum or valuation was made and whether or not it was prepared by the
expert for incorporation in the prospectus; (h) shall not contain the name
of any person as a trustee for holders of debentures or as an auditor or a
banker or an advocate or a stock broker or share broker of the corporation
or proposed corporation or for or in relation to the issue or proposed
issue of shares or debentures unless that person has consented in writing
before the issue of the prospectus to act in that capacity in relation to
the prospectus and, in the case of a company or proposed company, a copy
verified as prescribed of the consent has been lodged with the Registrar;
(i) shall, where the prospectus offers shares in or debentures of a foreign
company incorporated or to be incorporated, in addition contain particulars
with respect to— (i) the instrument constituting or defining the
constitution of the company; (ii) the enactments or provisions having the
force of an enactment by or under which the incorporation of the company
was effected or is to be effected; (iii) an address in Malaysia where the
instrument, enactments or provisions or certified copies thereof may be
inspected; (iv) the date on which and the place where the company was or is
to be incorporated; and
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(4) A prospectus shall be deemed to have complied with all the requirements
of this Act relating to the form and content of a prospectus if it is
issued in compliance with an order made under subsection (1). Certain
advertisements deemed to be prospectuses 40. (1) Every advertisement
offering or calling attention to an offer or intended offer of shares in or
debentures of a corporation or proposed corporation to the public for
subscription or purchase shall be deemed to be a prospectus (and all
written laws and rules of law as to the contents of prospectuses and as to
liability in respect of statements in and omissions from prospectuses or
otherwise relating to prospectuses shall apply and have effect accordingly)
if it contains any information or matter other than the following: (a) the
number and description of the shares or debentures concerned; (b) the name
and date of registration of the corporation and its paid up share capital;
(c) a concise statement of the general nature of the main business or
proposed main business of the corporation; (d) the names, addresses and
occupations of— (i) the directors or proposed directors; (ii) the brokers
or underwriters to the issue; and (iii) in the case of debentures, the
trustee for the debenture holders; (e) the name of the Stock Exchange of
which the brokers or underwriters to the issue are members; and (f)
particulars of the opening and closing dates of the offer and the time and
place at which copies of the full prospectus and forms of application for
the shares or debentures may be obtained, and unless it states that
applications for shares or debentures will proceed only on one of the forms
of application referred to in and attached to a printed copy of the
prospectus. (2) No statement that, or to the effect that, the advertisement
is not a prospectus shall affect the operation of this section.
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42A. (1) If, after the registration of a prospectus, but before its issue,
the person who lodged the prospectus became aware that— (a) a significant
new matter has arisen being a matter, the information of which is required
by this Act or by any requirements or guidelines of any authority, to be
disclosed in a prospectus; (b) there has been a significant change
affecting a matter disclosed in the prospectus; (c) the prospectus
contained a material statement that is false or misleading; or (d) there is
a material omission from the prospectus, the person shall lodge with the
Registrar a supplemental prospectus that contains information relating to
the new matter or change or correct the false or misleading statement or
omission as the case requires. (2) A supplemental prospectus shall clearly
identify the prospectus to which it relates and shall contain a statement
in bold or coloured print that it is a supplemental prospectus to be read
in conjunction with the prospectus. (3) A supplemental prospectus shall be
deemed to be part of the prospectus to which it relates and all written
laws and rules of law as to the contents of prospectuses and to liability
in respect of statements and non-disclosures in prospectuses or otherwise
relating to prospectuses, shall apply and have effect accordingly. (4)
Where a supplemental prospectus has been lodged with the Registrar pursuant
to subsection (1), every copy of the prospectus shall be issued,
accompanied by a copy of the supplemental prospectus. (5) A supplemental
prospectus may be lodged for the purpose of subsection (1), notwithstanding
that the prospectus to which it relates has been issued, if— (a) the
prospectus relates to an invitation or offer which is addressed to an
identifiable category of persons to whom it is directly communicated by the
person making the
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make it and that that person had given the consent required by section 45
to the issue of the prospectus and had not withdrawn that consent before
delivery of a copy of the prospectus for registration, or, to that person’s
knowledge, before any allotment or sale thereunder; and (iii) as regards
every untrue statement purporting to be a statement made by an official
person or contained in what purports to be a copy of or extract from a
public official document, it was a correct and fair representation of the
statement or copy of or extract from the document. (4) Subsection (3) shall
not apply in the case of a person liable, by reason of his having given a
consent required of him by section 45, as a person who has authorized or
caused the issue of the prospectus in respect of an untrue statement
purporting to have been made by him as an expert. (5) A person who apart
from this subsection would under subsection (1) be liable, by reason of his
having given a consent required by him by section 45, as a person who has
authorized the issue of a prospectus in respect of an untrue statement
purporting to be made by him as an expert shall not be so liable if he
proves. (a) that, having given his consent under section 45 to the issue of
the prospectus, he withdrew it in writing before a copy of the prospectus
was lodged with the Registrar; (b) that, after a copy of the prospectus was
lodged with the Registrar and before allotment or sale thereunder, he, on
becoming aware of the untrue statement, withdrew his consent in writing and
gave reasonable public notice of the withdrawal and of the reasons
therefor; or (c) that he was competent to make the statement and that he
had reasonable ground to believe and did up to the time of the allotment or
sale of the shares or debentures believe that the statement was true. (6)
Where— (a) the prospectus contains the name of a person as a director of
the corporation, or as having agreed to become a director, and he has not
consented to become a director, or has withdrawn his consent before the
issue of the prospectus, and has not authorized or consented to the issue
thereof; or
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(2) In this section, the term “prescribed corporation” has the same meaning
as assigned to it in subsection 38(7). (3) Any information memorandum
purporting to describe the business and affairs of the person making the
offer issued by the said person or his agent shall be deemed to be a
prospectus, in so far as regarding the liability of the person or his
agent, for any untrue statement or non-disclosure of material information
and a copy of the memorandum shall be lodged with the Registrar within
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(3) The amount payable on application on each share offered to the public
or offered pursuant to a prospectus that is registered under the Securities
Commission Act 1993 shall not be less than five per centum of the nominal
amount of the share. (4) If the conditions referred to in paragraphs (1)(a)
and (b) have not been satisfied on the expiration of four months after the
first issue of the prospectus, all money received from applicants for
shares shall he forthwith repaid to them without interest, and, if any such
money is not so repaid within five months after the issue of the
prospectus, the directors of the company shall be jointly and severally
liable to repay that money with interest at the rate of ten per centum per
annum from the expiration of the period of five months but a director shall
not be so liable if he proves that the default in the repayment of the
money was not due to any misconduct or negligence on his part. (5) An
allotment made by a company to an applicant in contravention of this
section or of subsection 50 (1) shall be voidable at the option of the
applicant which option may be exercised by written notice served on the
company within one month after the holding of the statutory meeting of the
company, and not later, or, in any case where the company is not required
to hold a statutory meeting, or where the allotment is made after the
holding of the statutory meeting, within one month after the date of the
allotment, and not later, and the allotment shall be so voidable
notwithstanding that the company is in course of being wound up. (6) Every
director of a company who knowingly contravenes or permits or authorizes
the contravention of this section or of subsection 50(1) shall be guilty of
an offence against this Act and shall be liable in addition to the penalty
or punishment for the offence to compensate the company and the allottee
respectively for any loss, damages or costs which the company or the
allottee has sustained or incurred thereby but no proceedings for the
recovery of any such compensation shall be commenced after the expiration
of two years from the date of the allotment. Penalty: Imprisonment for
three years or one million ringgit or both. (7) Any condition requiring or
binding any applicant for shares to waive compliance with any requirements
of this section shall be void.
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(2) If default is made in complying with this section every officer of the
company in default or, in the case of an intended company, every person
named in the prospectus as a proposed director and every promoter who
knowingly and wilfully authorizes or permits the default shall be guilty of
an offence against this Act. Penalty: Imprisonment for *three years or ten
thousand ringgit. Restriction on allotment in certain cases 50. (1) A
public company having a share capital which does not issue a prospectus on
or with reference to its formation shall not allot any of its shares or
debentures unless at least three days before the first allotment of either
shares or debentures there has been lodged with the Registrar a statement
in lieu of prospectus which complies with the requirements of this Act. (2)
If default is made in complying with this section the company and every
officer of the company who is in default shall be guilty of an offence
against this Act. Penalty: Imprisonment for *three years or ten thousand
ringgit. Requirements as to statements in lieu of prospectus 51. (1) To
comply with the requirements of this Act a statement in lieu of prospectus
lodged by or on behalf of a company— (a) shall be signed by every person
who is named therein as a director or a proposed director of the company or
by his agent authorized in writing; (b) shall subject to Part III of the
Sixth Schedule, be in the form of and state the matters specified in Part I
of that Schedule and set out the reports specified in Part II of that
Schedule; and (c) shall, where the persons making any report specified in
Part II of that Schedule have made therein or have, without giving the
reasons, indicated therein any such adjustments as are mentioned in
paragraph 5 of Part III of that Schedule, have endorsed thereon or attached
thereto a written statement signed by those persons setting out the
adjustments and giving the reasons therefor.
*NOTE—Previously “one year or two thousand five hundred ringgit”–see
Companies (Amendment) Act 1986 [Act A657].
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(2) The Registrar shall not accept for registration any statement in lieu
of prospectus unless it appears to him to comply with this Act. (3) Where
in any statement in lieu of prospectus, there is any untrue statement or
wilful non-disclosure any director, who signed the statement in lieu of
prospectus shall be guilty of an offence against this Act unless he proves
either that the untrue statement or non-disclosure was immaterial or that
he had reasonable ground to believe and did, up to the time of the delivery
for registration of the statement in lieu of prospectus, believe that the
untrue statement was true or the non-disclosure immaterial. Penalty:
Imprisonment for *three years or ten thousand ringgit or both. Restrictions
on commencement of business in certain circumstances 52. (1) Where a
company having a share capital has issued a prospectus inviting the public
to subscribe for its shares or has issued a prospectus pursuant to the
Securities Commission Act 1993 in relation to its shares the company shall
not commence any business or exercise any borrowing powers— (a) if any
money is or may become liable to be repaid to applicants for any shares or
debentures offered for public subscription by reason of any failure to
apply for or obtain permission for listing for quotation on any Stock
Exchange; or (b) unless— (i) shares held subject to the payment of the
whole amount thereof in cash have been allotted to an amount not less in
the whole than the minimum subscription; (ii) every director has paid to
the company on each of the shares taken or contracted to be taken by him,
and for which he is liable to pay in cash, a proportion equal to the
proportion payable on application and allotment on the shares offered for
public subscription; and
*NOTE—Previously “one year or two thousand five hundred ringgit”–see
Companies (Amendment) Act 1986 [Act A657].
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(iii) there has been lodged with the Registrar a statutory declaration by
the secretary or one of the directors of the company in the prescribed form
verifying that the above conditions have been complied with. (2) Where a
public company having a share capital has not issued a prospectus inviting
the public to subscribe for its shares or has not issued a prospectus
pursuant to the Securities Commission Act 1993 the company shall not
commence any business or exercise any borrowing power unless— (a) there has
been lodged with the Registrar a statement in lieu of prospectus which
complies with this Act; (b) every director of the company has paid to the
company on each of the shares taken or contracted to be taken by him and
for which he is liable to pay in cash, a proportion equal to the proportion
payable on application and allotment on the shares payable in cash; and (c)
there has been lodged with the Registrar a statutory declaration by the
secretary or one of the directors of the company in the prescribed form
verifying that paragraph (b) has been complied with. (3) The Registrar
shall, on the lodging of the statutory declaration in accordance with this
section certify that the company is entitled to commence business and to
exercise its borrowing powers and that certificate shall be conclusive
evidence thereof. (4) Any contract made by a company before the date at
which it is entitled to commence business shall be provisional only and
shall not be binding on the company until that date, and on that date it
shall become binding. (5) Where shares and debentures are offered
simultaneously by a company for subscription nothing in this section shall
prevent the receipt by the company of any money payable on application for
the debentures. (6) If any company commences business or exercises
borrowing powers in contravention of this section every person who is
responsible for the contravention shall be guilty of an offence against
this Act.
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Penalty: *Ten thousand ringgit. Default penalty: Two hundred and fifty
ringgit. Restriction on varying contracts referred to in prospectus, etc.
53. A company shall not before the statutory meeting vary the terms of a
contract referred to in the prospectus or statement in lieu of prospectus,
unless the variation is made subject to the approval of the statutory
meeting. DIVISION 3
SHARES
Return as to allotments 54. (1) Where a company makes any allotment of its
shares or any of its shares are deemed to have been allotted under
subsection (6) the company shall within one month thereafter lodge with the
Registrar a return of the allotments stating— (a) the number and nominal
amounts of the shares comprised in the allotment; (b) the amount, if any,
paid, deemed to be paid, or due and payable on the allotment of each share;
(c) where the capital of the company is divided into shares of different
classes, the class of shares to which each share comprised in the allotment
belongs; and (d) the full name and the address of each of the allottees and
the number and class of shares allotted to him. (2) The particulars
mentioned in paragraph (1)(d) need not be included in the return where a
company to which subsection 166(1) applies has allotted shares— (a) for
cash; or (b) for a consideration other than cash and the number of persons
to whom the shares have been allotted exceeds five hundred.
*NOTE—Previously “one thousand ringgit”–see Companies (Amendment) Act 1986
[Act A657].
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(3) Where shares are allotted or deemed to have been allotted as fully or
partly paid up otherwise than in cash and the allotment is made pursuant to
a contract in writing, the company shall lodge with the return the contract
evidencing the entitlement of the allottee or a copy of any such contract
certified as prescribed. (4) If a certified copy of a contract is lodged
the original contract duly stamped shall, if the Registrar so requests, be
produced at the same time to the Registrar. (5) Where shares are allotted
or are deemed to have been allotted as fully or partly paid up otherwise
than in cash and the allotment is made— (a) pursuant to a contract not
reduced to writing; (b) pursuant to a provision in the memorandum or
articles; or (c) in satisfaction of a dividend declared in favour of, but
not payable in cash to the shareholders, or in pursuance of the application
of moneys held by the company in an account or reserve in paying up
unissued shares to which the shareholders have become entitled, the company
shall lodge with the return a statement containing such particulars as are
prescribed but where the shares are allotted pursuant to a scheme of
arrangement approved by the Court under section 176 the company may lodge
an office copy of the order of the Court in lieu of the statement in the
prescribed form. (6) For the purposes of this section any shares issued
without formal allotment to subscribers to the memorandum shall be deemed
to have been allotted to the subscribers on the date of the incorporation
of the company. (7) If default is made in complying with this section every
officer of the company who is in default shall be guilty of an offence
against this Act. Penalty: One thousand ringgit. Default penalty: Two
hundred and fifty ringgit.
Companies As to voting rights of equity shares in certain companies
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(3) Nothing in this section shall affect the power of any company to pay
such brokerage (in addition to or in lieu of the commission referred to in
subsection (1)) as it has heretofore been lawful for company to pay but the
amount or rate per centum of the brokerage paid or agreed to be paid by the
company shall (in the case of shares of an unlisted recreational club which
are offered to the public for subscription or in the case of shares other
than of an unlisted recreational club which are offered for subscription or
purchase pursuant to a prospectus that is registered under the Securities
Commission Act 1993) be disclosed in the prospectus or in the statement in
lieu of prospectus (if applicable) or in a statement in the prescribed form
signed in like manner as a statement in lieu of prospectus and lodged
before the payment of the brokerage with the Registrar, and, where a
circular or notice not being a prospectus inviting subscription for the
shares is issued, also disclosed in that circular or notice. (4) A vendor
to, promoter of, or other person who receives payment in money or shares
from, a company shall have power to apply any part of the money or shares
so received in payment of any commission the payment of which if made
directly by the company would have been lawful under this section. (5) If
default is made in complying with the provisions of this section relating
to the lodging with the Registrar of the statement in the prescribed form,
the company and every officer of the company who is in default shall be
guilty of an offence against this Act. Penalty: *One thousand ringgit.
Default penalty. Power to issue shares at a discount 59. (1) Subject to
this section a company may issue shares at a discount of a class already
issued if— (a) the issue of the shares at a discount is authorized by
resolution passed in general meeting of the company, and is confirmed by
order of the Court; (b) the resolution specifies the maximum rate of
discount at which the shares are to be issued; (c) at the date of the issue
not less than one year has elapsed since the date on which the company was
entitled to commence business; and
*NOTE—Previously “two hundred and fifty ringgit”–see Companies (Amendment)
Act 1986 [Act A657].
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(d) the shares are issued within one month after the date on which the
issue is confirmed by order of the Court or within such extended time as
the Court allows. (2) The Court, if having regard to all the circumstances
of the case it thinks proper to do so, may make an order confirming the
issue on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit. (3) Every prospectus
relating to the issue of the shares shall contain particulars of the
discount allowed or of so much of that discount as has not been written off
at the date of the issue of the prospectus. (4) Notwithstanding any
provision of its articles, a company shall not issue at a discount shares
of any class unless it first offers the shares to every holder of shares of
that class in the company proportionately to the number of those shares
held by him. (5) Every such offer shall be made by notice specifying the
number of shares to which the member is entitled and limiting a time not
being less than twenty-one days within which the offer may be accepted. (6)
If any such offer is not accepted within the time limited by the notice the
shares may be issued on terms not more favourable than those offered to the
shareholders. (7) If default is made in complying with this section, the
company and every officer of the company who is in default shall be guilty
of an offence against this Act. Penalty: *One thousand ringgit. Default
penalty. Issue of shares at a premium 60. (1) In this section—
“arrangement” means any agreement, scheme or arrangement (including an
arrangement sanctioned in accordance with section 176 or 270); “company”
except in references to the issuing company, includes any body corporate;
*NOTE—Previously “two hundred and fifty ringgit”–see Companies (Amendment)
Act 1986 [Act A657].
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(i) the preliminary expenses of the company; or (ii) the expenses of, or
the commission or brokerage paid or discount allowed on, any duty, fee or
tax payable on or in connection with, and issue of shares of the company;
or (f) in providing for the premium payable on redemption of redeemable
preference shares. Merger relief (4) (a) Subsection (2) shall not apply—
(i) where an issuing company has secured at least ninety per centum equity
holding in another company in pursuance of any arrangement providing for
the allotment of equity shares issued at a premium in the issuing company
on terms that the consideration for the shares allotted is to be provided
by the issue or transfer to the issuing company of equity shares in that
other company or by the cancellation of any such shares not held by the
issuing company; and (ii) where the arrangement also provides for the
allotment of any shares in the issuing company on terms that the
consideration for those shares is to be provided by the issue or transfer
to the issuing company of non-equity shares in the other company or by the
cancellation of any such shares in that company not held by the issuing
company. (b) Subject to paragraph (c), the issuing company shall be
regarded for the purposes of this subsection as having secured at least
ninety per centum equity holding in another company in pursuance of any
such arrangement as is mentioned in paragraph (a), if, in consequence of
any acquisition or cancellation of equity shares in that company in
pursuance of that arrangement it holds equity shares in that company
(whether all or any of those shares were acquired in pursuance of that
arrangement or not) of an aggregate nominal value equal to ninety per
centum or more of the nominal value of the company’s equity share capital.
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(c) Where the equity share capital of the other company in question is
divided into different classes of shares this subsection shall not apply
unless the requirements of paragraph (a) above are satisfied in relation to
each of those classes taken separately. (d) Shares held by a company which
is the issuing company’s holding company or subsidiary of the issuing
company’s holding company, or by its or their trustees, shall be regarded
for the purposes of this subsection as held by the issuing company. (5) (a)
Where the issuing company— (i) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of another
company (the holding company); and (ii) allots shares to the holding
company or to another wholly-owned subsidiary of the holding company in
consideration for the transfer to the issuing company of assets, other than
cash, being assets of any company (the transferor company) which is a
member of the group of companies which comprises the holding company and
all its wholly-owned subsidiaries, the issuing company shall not be
required by subsection (2) to transfer any amount in excess of the minimum
premium value to the share premium account where the shares in the issuing
company allotted in consideration for the transfer are issued at a premium.
(b) In paragraph (a), “the minimum premium value” means the amount, if any,
by which the base value of the consideration for the shares allotted
exceeds the aggregate nominal value of those shares. (c) For the purposes
of paragraph (b), the base value of the consideration for the shares
allotted shall be the amount by which the base value of assets transferred
exceeds the base value of any liabilities of the transferor company assumed
by the issuing company as part of the consideration for the assets
transferred.
Companies (d) For the purposes of paragraph (c)—
119
(i) the base value of the assets transferred shall be taken as the cost of
those assets to the transferor company or the amount at which those assets
are stated in the transferor company’s accounting records immediately
before the transfer, whichever is the less; and (ii) the base value of the
liabilities assumed shall be taken as the amount at which they are stated
in the transferor company’s accounting records immediately before the
transfer. (e) Subsection (4) shall not apply in any case to which this
subsection applies. Restrospective relief in certain circumstances (6) (a)
Subject to paragraph (b), where— (i) the issuing company has issued at a
premium shares which were allotted in pursuance of any arrangement
providing for the allotment of shares in the issuing company on terms that
the consideration for the shares allotted was to be provided by the issue
or transfer to the issuing company of shares in another company or by the
cancellation of any shares in that other company not held by the issuing
company; and (ii) that other company must either have been, at the time of
the arrangement, a subsidiary of the issuing company or of any company
which was then the issuing company’s holding company or have become such a
subsidiary on the acquisition or cancellation of its shares in pursuance of
the arrangement, any part of the premiums on the shares so issued which was
not transferred to the company’s share premium account in accordance with
subsection (2) shall be treated as if subsection (2) had never applied to
those premiums (and may accordingly be disregarded in determining the sum
to be included in the company’s share premium account).
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(b) This subsection applies only where a company has issued shares in
circumstances to which the subsection applies before the coming into
operation of the subsection. (7) (a) An amount corresponding to any amount
representing the premiums or part of the premiums on shares issued by a
company which by virtue of subsection (4), (5) or (6) is not included in
the company’s share premium account may also be disregarded in determining
the amount at which any shares or other consideration provided for the
shares issued is to be included in the company’s balance-sheet. (b)
References in subsections (4) to (6) and in this subsection (however
expressed) to— (i) the acquisition by any company of shares in another
company; and (ii) the issue or allotment of shares to or the transfer of
shares to or by any company, include references respectively to the
acquisition of any of those shares by and to the issue or allotment or (as
the case may require) the transfer of any of those shares to or by trustees
of that company; and the reference in subparagraph (5)(b)(i) to the company
transferring the shares there-mentioned shall be construed accordingly. (c)
References in subsections (4) to (6) and in this subsection to the transfer
of shares in a company include references to the transfer of right to be
included in the company’s register of members in respect of those shares.
(8) Regulations may be made making provision for and in relation to— (i)
relief from the requirement of subsection (2) in relation to premium other
than cash premium; or (ii) restrictions or modification of any relief from
those requirements provided by subsections (4) to (7). Redeemable
preference shares 61. (1) Subject to this section a company having a share
capital may, if so authorized by its articles, issue preference shares
which are, or at the option of the company are to be, liable to be redeemed
and the redemption shall be effected only on such terms and in such manner
as is provided by the articles.
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(2) The redemption shall not be taken as reducing the amount of authorized
share capital of the company. (3) The shares shall not be redeemed— (a)
except out of profits which would otherwise be available for dividend, or
out of the proceeds of a fresh issue of shares made for the purposes of the
redemption; and (b) unless they are fully paid up. (4) The premium, if any,
payable on redemption shall be provided for out of profits or the share
premium account before the shares are redeemed. (5) Where any such shares
are redeemed otherwise than out of the proceeds of a fresh issue, there
shall, out of profits which would otherwise have been available for
dividend, be transferred to a reserve called the “capital redemption
reserve” a sum equal to the nominal amount of the shares redeemed, and the
provisions of this Act relating to the reduction of the share capital of a
company shall, except as provided in this section, apply as if the capital
redemption reserve were paid-up share capital of the company. (6) Where in
pursuance of this section a company has redeemed or is about to redeem any
preferences shares, it may issue shares up to the nominal amount of the
shares redeemed or to be redeemed as if those shares had never been issued,
and accordingly the share capital of the company shall not for the purposes
of any fee under this Act be deemed to be increased by such issue but where
new shares are issued before the redemption of the old shares, the new
shares shall not, so far as relates to any fee under this Act, be deemed to
have been issued in pursuance of this subsection unless the old shares have
been redeemed within one month after the issue of the new shares. (7) The
capital redemption reserve may be applied in paying up unissued shares of
the company to be issued to members of the company as fully paid bonus
shares. (8) If a company redeems any redeemable preference shares it shall
within fourteen days after so doing give notice thereof to the Registrar
specifying the shares redeemed.
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(3) Notwithstanding subsection (2) the Court may, having regard to any
special circumstances of any case, direct that all or any of the provisions
of that subsection shall not apply as regards any class of creditors. (4)
The Court, if satisfied with respect to every creditor who under subsection
(2) is entitled to object, that either his consent to the reduction has
been obtained or his debt or claim has been discharged or has determined or
has been secured may make an order confirming the reduction on such terms
and conditions as it thinks fit. (5) An order made under subsection (4)
shall show the amount of the share capital of the company as altered by the
order, the number of shares into which it is to be divided and the amount
of each share and the amount, if any, at the date of the order deemed to be
paid up on each share. (6) On the lodging of an office copy of the order
with the Registrar the resolution for reducting share capital as confirmed
by the order so lodged shall take effect. (7) The certificate of the
Registrar shall be conclusive evidence that all the requirements of this
Act with respect to reduction of share capital have been complied with and
that the share capital of the company is such as is stated in the order.
(8) On the lodging of the copy of the order the particulars shown in the
order pursuant to subsection (5) shall be deemed to be substituted for the
corresponding particulars in the memorandum and such substitution and any
addition ordered by the Court to be made to the name of the company shall
(in the case of any addition to the name, for such period as is specified
in the order of the Court) be deemed to be alterations of the memorandum
for the purposes of this Act. (9) A member, past or present, shall not be
liable in respect of any share to any call or contribution exceeding in
amount the difference, if any, between the amount of the share as fixed by
the order and the amount paid, or the reduced amount, if any, which is to
be deemed to have been paid, on the share (as the case may be) but where
any creditor entitled to object to the reduction is,
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65. (1) If in the case of a company the share capital of which is divided
into different classes of shares provision is made by the memorandum or
articles for authorizing the variation or abrogation of the rights attached
to any class of shares in the company, subject to the consent of any
specified proportion of the holders of the issued shares of that class or
the sanction of a resolution passed at a separate meeting of the holders of
those shares, and in pursuance of the said provision the rights attached to
any such class of shares are at any time varied or abrogated the holders of
not less in the aggregate than ten per centum of the issued shares of that
class, may apply to the Court to have the variation or abrogation
cancelled, and, if any such application is made, the variation or
abrogation shall not have effect until confirmed by the Court. (2) An
application shall not be invalid by reason of the applicants or any of them
having consented to or voted in favour of the resolution for the variation
or abrogation if the Court is satisfied that any material fact was not
disclosed by the company to those applicants before they so consented or
voted. (3) The application shall be made within one month after the date on
which the consent was given or the resolution was passed or such further
time as the Court allows, and may be made on behalf of the shareholders
entitled to make the application by such one or more of their number as
they appoint in writing. (4) On the application the Court, after hearing
the applicant and any other persons who apply to the Court to be heard and
appear to the Court to be interested, may, if satisfied having regard to
all the circumstances of the case that the variation or abrogation would
unfairly prejudice the shareholders of the class represented by the
applicant, disallow the variation or abrogation as the case may be and
shall, if not so satisfied, confirm it, and the decision of the Court shall
be final. (5) The company shall within fourteen days after the making of an
order by the Court on any such application lodge an office copy of the
order with the Registrar and if default is made in complying with this
provision the company and every officer of the company who is in default
shall be guilty of an offence against this Act. Penalty: *Two thousand
ringgit. Default penalty.
*NOTE—Previously “five hundred ringgit”–see Companies (Amendment) Act 1986
[Act A657].
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(6) The issue by a company of preference shares ranking pari passu with
existing preference shares issued by the company shall be deemed to be a
variation of the rights attached to those existing preference shares unless
the issue of the first-mentioned shares was authorized by the terms of
issue of the existing preference shares or by the articles of the company
in force at the time the existing preference shares were issued. (7) For
the purposes of this section the alteration of any provision in the
memorandum or articles of a company which affects or relates to the manner
in which the rights attaching to the shares of any class may be varied or
abrogated shall be deemed to be a variation or abrogation of the rights
attached to the shares of that class. (8) This section shall not operate so
as to limit or derogate from the rights of any person to obtain relief
under section 181. Rights of holders of preference shares to be set out in
memorandum or articles 66. (1) No company shall allot any preference shares
or convert any issued shares into preference shares unless there is set out
in its memorandum or articles the rights of the holders of those shares
with respect to repayment of capital, participation in surplus assets and
profits, cumulative or non-cumulative dividends, voting, and priority of
payment of capital and dividend in relation to other shares or other
classes of preference shares. (2) If default is made in complying with this
section the company and every officer of the company who is in default
shall be guilty of an offence against this Act. Penalty: *Two thousand
ringgit. Dealing by a company in its own shares, etc. 67. (1) Except as is
otherwise expressly provided by this Act no company shall give, whether
directly or indirectly and whether by means of a loan, guarantee or the
provision of security or otherwise,
*NOTE—Previously “five hundred ringgit”–see Companies (Amendment) Act 1986
[Act A657].
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(5) The power of a Court under section 354 to relieve a person to whom that
section applies, wholly or partly and on such terms as the Court thinks
fit, from a liability referred to in that section, extends to relieving a
person against whom an order may be made under subsection (4) from the
liability to have such an order made against him. (6) Nothing in this
section shall operate to prevent the company or any person from recovering
the amount of any loan made in contravention of this section or any amount
for which it becomes liable, either on account of any financial assistance
given, or under any guarantee entered into or in respect of any security
provided, in contravention of this section. Purchase by a company of its
own shares, etc. 67A. (1) Notwithstanding section 67, a public company with
a share capital may, if so authorized by its articles, purchase its own
shares. (2) A company shall not purchase its own shares unless— (a) it is
solvent at the date of the purchase and will not become insolvent by
incurring the debts involved in the obligation to pay for the shares so
purchased; (b) the purchase is made through the Stock Exchange on which the
shares of the company are quoted and in accordance with the relevant rules
of the Stock Exchange; and (c) the purchase is made in good faith and in
the interests of the company. (3) Notwithstanding section 60, the company
may apply its share premium account to provide the consideration for the
purchase of its own shares. (3A) Where a company has purchased its own
shares, the directors of the company may resolve— (a) to cancel the shares
so purchased; (b) to retain the shares so purchased in treasury (in this
Act referred to as "treasury shares"); or (c) to retain part of the shares
so purchased as treasury shares and cancel the remainder.
Companies (3B) The directors of the company may—
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(4) A company shall keep at the place where the register under this section
is kept a copy of every instrument by which an option to take up unissued
shares in the company is granted, and for the purposes of subsection (3)
those copies shall be deemed to be part of the register. (5) Failure by the
company to comply with any provision in this section shall not affect any
rights in respect of the option. (6) If default is made in complying with
this section, the company and any officer of the company who is in default
shall be guilty of an offence against this Act. Penalty: One hundred
thousand ringgit. Default penalty: Ten thousand ringgit. Power of company
to pay interest out of capital in certain cases 69. Where any shares of a
company are issued for the purpose of raising money to defray the expenses
of the construction of any works or buildings or the provision of any plant
which cannot be made profitable for a long period, the company may pay
interest on so much of such share capital as is for the time being paid up
and charge the interest so paid to capital as part of the cost of the
construction or provision but— (a) no such payment shall be made unless it
is authorized, by the articles or by special resolution, and is approved by
the Court; (b) before approving of any such payment, the Court may at the
expense of the company appoint a person to inquire and report as to the
circumstances of the case, and may require the company to give security for
the payment of the costs of the inquiry; (c) the payment shall be made only
for such period as is determined by the Court, but in no case extending
beyond a period of twelve months after the works or buildings have been
actually completed or the plant provided; (d) the rate of interest shall in
no case exceed five per centum per annum or such other rate as is for the
time being prescribed; and (e) the payment of the interest shall not
operate as a reduction of the amount paid up on the shares in respect of
which it is paid.
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Application and interpretation of Division 69B. (1) This section has effect
for the purpose of this Division but shall not prejudice the operation of
any other provision of this Act. (2) In this Division a reference to a
company is a reference— (a) to a company all or any of the shares in which
are listed for quotation on the official list of a Stock Exchange as
defined in the Securities Industry Act 1983; (b) to a public company whose
shares are not listed for quotation on the official list of a Stock
Exchange as defined in the Securities Industry Act 1983; (c) to a body
corporate incorporated in Malaysia, that is for the time being declared by
the Minister, by notification in the Gazette, to be a company for the
purposes of this Division; or
*NOTE—Previously “one year”–see Companies (Amendment) Act 1985 [Act A616].
†NOTE—Previously “fifty thousand ringgit”–see Companies (Amendment) (No. 2)
Act 1998 [Act A1043].
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(d) to a body, not being a body corporate, formed in Malaysia that is for
the time being declared by the Minister, by notification in the Gazette, to
be a company for the purposes of this Division. (3) The Minister may, by
notification in the Gazette, vary or revoke a notification published under
subsection (2). (4) In relation to a company the whole or a portion of the
share capital of which consists of stock, an interest of a person in any
such stock shall be deemed to be an interest in an issued share in the
company having the same nominal amount as the amount of that stock and
having attached to it the same rights as are attached to that stock. (5) A
reference in the definition of “voting share” in subsection 4(1) to a body
corporate includes a reference to a body referred to in paragraph (2)(d).
Persons obliged to comply with Division 69C. (1) The obligation to comply
with this Division extends to all natural persons, whether resident in
Malaysia or not and whether Malaysian citizens or not, and to all bodies
corporate, whether incorporated or carrying on business in Malaysia or not.
(2) The provisions of this Division extends to acts done or omitted to be
done outside Malaysia. Substantial shareholdings and substantial
shareholders 69D. (1) For the purposes of this Division, a person has a
substantial shareholding in a company if he has an interest in one or more
voting shares in the company and the nominal amount of that share, or the
aggregate of the nominal amounts of those shares, is not less than five per
centum of the aggregate of the nominal amounts of all the voting shares in
the company. (2) For the purposes of this Division, a person has a
substantial shareholding in a company, being a company the share capital of
which is divided into two or more classes of the shares, if he has an
interest in one or more voting shares included in one of those classes and
the nominal amount of that share, or the aggregate of
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the nominal amounts of those shares, is not less than five per centum of
the aggregate of the nominal amounts of all the voting shares included in
that class. (3) For the purposes of this Division, a person who has a
substantial shareholding in a company is a substantial shareholder in that
company. Substantial shareholder to notify company of his interests 69E.
(1) A person who is a substantial shareholder in a company shall give
notice in writing to the company stating his name, nationality and address
and full particulars of the voting shares in the company in which he has an
interest (including, unless the interest cannot be related to a particular
share, the name of the person who is registered as the holder) and full
particulars of each such interest and of the circumstances by reason of
which he has that interest. (2) The notice shall be given— (a) if the
person was a substantial shareholder on the date on which this Division
came into operation—within one month after that date; or (b) if the person
became a substantial shareholder after that date—within seven days after
becoming a substantial shareholder. (3) The notice shall be so given
notwithstanding that the person has ceased to be a substantial shareholder
before the expiration of whichever period referred to in subsection (2) is
applicable. Substantial shareholder to notify company of change in his
interests 69F. (1) Where there is a change in the interest of a substantial
shareholder in a company in voting shares in the company, he shall give
notice in writing to the company stating his name and full particulars of
the change, including the date of the change, and the circumstances by
reason of which that change has occurred. (2) The notice shall be given
within seven days after the date of the change.
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69L. (1) A company shall keep a register in which it shall forthwith enter—
(a) in alphabetical order the names of persons from whom it has received a
notice under section 69E; and (b) against each name so entered the
information given in the notice and, where it receives a notice under
section 69F or 69G, the information given in that notice. (2) The register
shall be kept at the registered office of the company, and shall be open
for inspection by any member of the company without charge and by any other
person on payment for each inspection of a sum of five ringgit or such
lesser sum as the company requires. (3) The Registrar may at any time in
writing require the company to furnish him with a copy of the register or
any part of the register and the company shall furnish the copy within
fourteen days after the day on which the requirement is received by the
company. (4) If default is made in complying with this section, the
company, and every officer of the company who is in default is guilty of an
offence. Penalty: Five thousand ringgit. Default penalty: Five hundred
ringgit. (5) A company is not, by reason of anything done under this
Division— (a) to be deemed for any purpose to have notice of; or (b) to be
put upon inquiry as to, a right of a person to or in relation to a share in
the company. Offences against certain sections 69M. A person who fails to
comply with section 69E, 69F, 69G or 69J shall be guilty of an offence.
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(2) Any order under this section may include such ancillary or
consequential provisions as the Court thinks just. (3) An order under this
section directing the sale of a share may provide that the sale shall be
made within such time and subject to such conditions, if any, as the Court
thinks fit, including, a condition that the sale shall not be made to a
person who is, or, as a result of the sale, would become, a substantial
shareholder in the company. (4) The Court may direct that where a share is
not sold in accordance with an order of the Court under this section, the
share shall vest in the Registrar. (5) The Court shall, before making an
order under this section and in determining the terms of such an order,
satisfy itself, so far as it can reasonably do so, that the order would not
unfairly prejudice any person and the Court shall not make an order under
this section, other than an order restraining the exercise of voting
rights, if it is satisfied— (a) that the failure of the substantial
shareholder to comply as mentioned in subsection (1) was due to his
inadvertence or mistake or to his not being aware of a relevant fact or
occurrence; and (b) that, in all the circumstances, the failure ought to be
excused. (6) The Court may, before making an order under this section,
direct that notice of the application be given to such persons as it thinks
fit or direct that notice of the application be published in such manner as
it thinks fit, or both. (7) The Court may rescind, vary or discharge an
order made by it under this section or suspend the operation of such an
order. (8) Section 311 applies in relation to a share that vests in the
Registrar under this section as the first-mentioned section applies in
relation to an estate or interest in property referred to in the first-
mentioned section. (9) A person who contravenes or fails to comply with an
order under this section which is applicable to him shall be guilty of an
offence against this Act. Penalty: Three thousand ringgit. Default penalty:
Five hundred ringgit.
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(10) Subsection (9) does not affect the powers of the Court in relation to
the punishment of contempt of the Court. Power of company to require
disclosure of beneficial interest in its voting shares 69O. (1) Any company
all or part of the shares in which are listed for quotation on the official
list of a Stock Exchange as defined in the Securities Industry Act 1983 may
by notice in writing require any member of the company within such
reasonable time as is specified in the notice— (a) to inform it whether he
holds any voting shares in the company as beneficial owner or as trustee;
and (b) if he holds them as trustee, to indicate so far as he can the
persons for whom he holds them by name and by other particulars sufficient
to enable those persons to be identified and the nature of their interest.
(2) Where a company is informed in pursuance of a notice given to any
person under subsection (1) or under this subsection that any other person
has an interest in any of the voting shares in a company, the company may
by notice in writing require that other person within such reasonable time
as is specified in the notice— (a) to inform it whether he holds that
interest as beneficial owner or as trustee; and (b) if he holds it as
trustee, to indicate so far as he can the persons for whom he holds it by
name and by other particulars sufficient to enable them to be identified
and the nature of their interest. (3) Any company to which this section
applies may by notice in writing require any member of the company to
inform it, within such reasonable time as is specified in the notice,
whether any of the voting rights carried by any voting shares in the
company held by him are the subject of an agreement or arrangement under
which another person is entitled to control his exercise of those rights
and, if so, to give particulars of the agreement or arrangement and the
parties to it.
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Register of debenture holders and copies of trust deed 70. (1) Every
company which issues debentures (not being debentures transferable by
delivery) shall keep a register of holders of the debentures at the
registered office of the company or at some other place in Malaysia. (2)
Every company shall within seven days after the register is first kept at a
place other than the registered office lodge with the Registrar notice of
the place where the register is kept and shall within seven days after any
change in the place at which the register is kept lodge with the Registrar
notice of the change. (3) The register shall except when duly closed be
open to the inspection of the registered holder of any debentures and of
any holder of shares in the company and shall contain particulars of the
names and addresses of the debenture holders and the amount of debentures
held by them. (4) For the purposes of this section a register shall be
deemed to be duly closed if closed in accordance with provisions contained
in the articles or in the debentures or debenture stock certificates, or in
the trust deed or other document relating to or securing the debentures,
during such periods (not exceeding in the aggregate thirty days in any
calendar year) as is therein specified. (5) Every registered holder of
debentures and every holder of shares in a company shall at his request be
supplied by the company with a copy of the register of the holders of
debentures of the company or any part thereof on payment of one dollar for
every hundred words or part thereof required to be copied but the copy need
not include any particulars as to any debenture holder other than his name
and address and the debentures held by him. (6) A copy of any trust deed
relating to or securing any issue of debentures shall be forwarded by the
company to a holder of those debentures at his request on payment of the
sum of three ringgit or such less sum as is fixed by the company, or where
the copy has to be specially made to meet the request on payment of one
ringgit for every hundred words or part thereof required to be copied.
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the company shall have and shall be deemed always to have had power to
reissue the debentures, either by reissuing the same debentures or by
issuing other debentures in their place but the reissue of a debenture or
the issue of one debenture in place of another under this subsection,
whether the reissue or issue was made before or after the commencement of
this Act, shall not be regarded as the issue of a new debenture for the
purpose of any provision limiting the amount or number of debentures that
may be issued by the company. (2) After the reissue the person entitled to
the debentures shall have and shall be deemed always to have had the same
priorities as if the debentures had never been redeemed. (3) Where a
company has either before or after the commencement of this Act deposited
any of its debentures to secure advances on current account or otherwise,
the debentures shall not be deemed to have been redeemed by reason only of
the account of the company having ceased to be in debit while the
debentures remain so deposited. Qualifications of trustee for debenture
holders 74. (1) Subject to this section every corporation which offers
debentures to the public for subscription or purchase in Malaysia after the
commencement of this Act shall make provision in those debentures or in a
trust deed relating to those debentures for the appointment of a trustee
corporation as trustee for the holders of the debentures. (2) Where a
borrowing corporation is required to appoint a trustee for the holders of
any debentures in accordance with subsection (1) it shall not allot any of
those debentures until the appointment has been made and the trustee
corporation has consented to act as trustee. (3) Without leave of the
Court, a trustee corporation shall not be appointed, hold office or act as
trustee for the holders of debentures of a borrowing corporation if that
trustee corporation is— (a) a shareholder who beneficially holds shares in
the borrowing corporation; (b) beneficially entitled to moneys owed by the
borrowing corporation to it; (c) a corporation that has entered into a
guarantee in respect of the principal debt secured by those debentures or
in respect of interest thereon; or
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(b) shall satisfy itself that each prospectus relating to the debentures
does not contain any matter which is inconsistent with the terms of the
debentures or with the relevant trust deed; (c) shall ensure that the
borrowing corporation complies with Division 7 so far as it relates to the
debentures and is applicable; (d) shall exercise reasonable diligence to
ascertain whether or not the borrowing corporation and each of its
guarantor corporations have committed any breach of the covenants, terms
and provisions of the debentures or the trust deed; (e) except where it is
satisfied that the breach will not materially prejudice the security, if
any, for the debentures or the interests of the holders of the debentures,
shall take all steps and do all such things as it is empowered to do to
cause the borrowing corporation and any of its guarantor corporations to
remedy any breach of those covenants, terms and provisions; (f) where the
borrowing corporation or any of its guarantor corporations fails when so
required by the trustee to remedy any breach of the covenants, terms and
provisions of the debentures or the trust deed, may place the matter before
a meeting of holders of the debentures, submit such proposals for the
protection of their investment as the trustee considers necessary or
appropriate and obtain the directions of the holders in relation thereto;
and (g) where the borrowing corporation submits to those holders a
compromise or arrangement, shall give to them a statement explaining the
effect of the compromise or arrangement and, if it thinks fit, recommend to
them an appropriate course of action to be taken by them in relation
thereto. (2) Where, after due inquiry, the trustee for the holders of the
debentures at any time is of the opinion that the assets of the borrowing
corporation and of any of its guarantor corporations which are or should be
available whether by way of security or otherwise, are insufficient, or
likely to become insufficient, to discharge the principal debt as and when
it becomes due, the trustee may apply to the Minister for an order under
this subsection and the Minister may, on such application, after giving the
borrowing corporation an opportunity of making representations in relation
to that application, by order in writing served on the corporation
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(e) give such further directions from time to time as may be necessary to
protect the interests of the holders of the debentures, the members of the
borrowing corporation or any of its guarantor corporations or the public,
but in making any such order the Court shall have regard to the rights of
all creditors of the borrowing corporation. (5) The Court may vary or
rescind any order made under subsection (4) as the Court thinks fit. (6) A
trustee in making any application to the Minister or to the Court shall
have regard to the nature and kind of the security given when the
debentures were offered to the public, and if no security was given shall
have regard to the position of the holders of the debentures as unsecured
creditors of the borrowing corporation. (7) A trustee may rely upon any
certificate or report given or statement made by any advocate, auditor or
officer of the borrowing corporation or guarantor corporation if it has
reasonable grounds for believing that such advocate, auditor or officer was
competent to give or make the certificate, report or statement. Powers of
trustee to apply to the Court for directions, etc. 79. (1) The trustee for
the holder of debentures may apply to the Court— (a) for directions in
relation to any matter arising in connection with the performance of the
functions of the trustee; or (b) to determine any question in relation to
the interests of the holders of debentures, and the Court may— (c) give
such directions to the trustee as the Court deems fit; and (d) if satisfied
that the determination of the question will be just and beneficial accede
wholly or partially to any such application on such terms and conditions as
the Court thinks fit or make such other order on the application as the
Court thinks just.
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(2) The Court may on an application under this section order a meeting of
all or any of the holders of debentures to be called to consider any
matters in which they are concerned and to advise the trustee thereon and
may give such ancillary or consequential directions as the Court thinks
fit. (3) The meeting shall be held and conducted in such manner as the
Court directs, under the chairmanship of a person nominated by the trustee
or such other person as the meeting appoints. Obligations of borrowing
corporation 80. (1) Where there is a trustee for the holders of any
debentures of a borrowing corporation the directors of the borrowing
corporation shall— (a) at the end of a period not exceeding three months
ending on a day (not later than six months after commencement of this Act
or after the date of the relevant prospectus, whichever is the later) which
the trustee is required to notify to the borrowing corporation in writing;
and (b) at the end of each succeeding period thereafter, being a period of
three months or such shorter time as the trustee may, in any special
circumstances, allow, prepare a report that relates to that period and
complies with the requirements of subsection (2) and within one month after
the end of each such period lodge a copy of the report relating to that
period with the Registrar and with the trustee. Penalty: *Ten thousand
ringgit. Default penalty: Two hundred and fifty ringgit. (2) The report
referred to in subsection (1) shall be signed by not less than two of the
directors on behalf of all of them and shall set out in detail any matters
adversely affecting the security or the interests of the holders of the
debentures and, without affecting the generality of the foregoing, shall
state. (a) whether or not the limitations on the amount that the
corporation may borrow have been exceeded;
*NOTE—Previously “one thousand ringgit”–see Companies (Amendment) Act 1986
[Act A657].
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(b) whether or not the borrowing corporation and each of its guarantor
corporations have observed and performed all the covenants and provisions
binding upon them respectively by or pursuant to the debentures or any
trust deed; (c) whether or not any event has happened which has caused or
could cause the debentures or any provision of the relevant trust deed to
become enforceable and if so, particulars of that event; (d) whether or not
any circumstances affecting the borrowing corporation, its subsidiaries or
its guarantor corporations or any of them have occurred which materially
affect any security or charge included in or created by the debentures or
any trust deed and if so, particulars of those circumstances; (e) whether
or not there has been any substantial change in the nature of the business
of the borrowing corporation or any of its subsidiaries or any of its
guarantor corporations since the debentures were first issued to the public
which has not previously been reported upon as required by this section and
if so, particulars of that change; and (f) where the borrowing corporation
has deposited money with or lent money to or assumed any liability of a
corporation which pursuant to section 6 is deemed to be related to the
borrowing corporation, particulars of— (i) the total amounts so deposited
or loaned and the extent of any liability so assumed during the period
covered by the report; and (ii) the total amounts owing to the borrowing
corporation in respect of money so deposited or loaned and the extent of
any liability so assumed as at the end of the period covered by the report,
distinguishing between deposits, loans and assumptions of liabilities which
are secured and those which are unsecured, but not including any deposit
with or loan to or any liability assumed on behalf of a corporation if that
corporation has guaranteed the repayment of the debentures of the borrowing
corporation and has secured the guarantee by a charge over its assets in
favour of the trustee for the holders of the debentures of the borrowing
corporation.
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(3) Where there is a trustee for the holders of any debentures issued by a
borrowing corporation, the borrowing corporation and each of its guarantor
corporations which has guaranteed the repayment of the moneys raised by the
issue of those debentures shall (within twenty-one days after the creation
of the charge) in writing furnish the trustee for the holders of the
debentures, whether or not any demand therefor has been made, with
particulars of any charge created by the corporation or the guarantor
corporation, as the case requires, and when the amount to be advanced on
the security of the charge is indeterminate (within seven days after the
advance) with particulars of the amount in fact advanced but where any such
advances are merged in a current account with bankers or trade creditors it
shall be sufficient for particulars of the net amount outstanding in
respect of any such advances to be furnished every three months. (4) The
directors of every borrowing corporation and of every guarantor corporation
shall at some date not later than nine months after the expiration of each
financial year of the corporation cause to be made out and lodged with the
Registrar and with the trustee for the holders of the debentures, if any, a
profit and loss account for the period from the end of that financial year
until the expiration of six months after the end of that financial year and
a balance sheet as at the end of the period to which the profit and loss
account relates. Penalty: *One thousand ringgit. Default penalty. (5)
Subsection 169(4) to (13) and subsection 174(1), (2) and (4) shall with
such adaptations as are necessary be applicable to every profit and loss
account and balance sheet made out and lodged pursuant to subsection (4) as
if that profit and loss account and balance sheet were a profit and loss
account and balance sheet referred to in those subsections. (6) Where the
directors of a borrowing corporation do not lodge with the trustee for the
holders of debentures a report as required by subsection (1) or where the
directors of a borrowing corporation or the directors of a guarantor
corporation do not lodge with the trustee the balance sheet, profit and
loss accounts and reports as required by subsection (4) within the time
prescribed the trustee shall forthwith lodge notice of that fact with the
Registrar.
*NOTE—Previously “two hundred and fifty ringgit”–see Companies (Amendment)
Act 1986 [Act A657].
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(4) The trustee shall not give a notice pursuant to subsection (3) if it is
satisfied— (a) that the purpose or project has been substantially achieved
or completed; (b) that the interests of the holders of debentures have not
been materially prejudiced by the failure to achieve or complete the
purpose or project within the time stated in the prospectus or within a
reasonable time; or (c) that the failure to achieve the purpose or project
was due to circumstances beyond the control of the corporation that could
not reasonably have been foreseen by the corporation at the time that the
prospectus was issued. (5) Upon receipt by the corporation of a notice
referred to in subsection (3), the corporation shall be liable to repay,
and on demand in writing by him shall immediately repay, to any person
entitled thereto, any money owing to him as the result of a loan or deposit
made in response to the invitation unless— (a) before the moneys were
accepted by the corporation the corporation had given notice in writing to
the persons from whom the moneys were received specifying the purpose or
project for which the moneys would in fact be used and the moneys were
accepted by the corporation accordingly; or (b) the corporation by notice
in writing served on the holders of the debentures— (i) had specified the
purpose or project for which the moneys would in fact be applied by the
corporation; and (ii) had offered to repay the moneys to the holders of the
debentures, and that person had not within fourteen days after the receipt
of the notice, or such longer time as was specified in the notice, in
writing demanded from the corporation repayment of the money. (6) Where the
corporation has given a notice in writing as provided in subsection (5),
specifying the purpose or project for which the moneys will in fact be
applied by the corporation, this section shall apply and have effect as if
the purpose or project so specified in the notice was the particular
purpose or project specified in the prospectus as the purpose or project
for which the moneys were to be applied.
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Interpretation 84. (1) In this Division and in the Seventh Schedule, unless
inconsistent with the context or subject matter—
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163
85. For the purposes of this Division, a deed shall be an approved deed if—
(a) the Registrar has granted his approval to the deed under this Division;
and (b) the Minister has granted his approval under this Division to the
trustee or representative appointed for the purposes of the deed acting as
trustee or representative and that approval has not been revoked and the
trustee or representative has not ceased to hold office. Approval of deeds
86. (1) Where a deed makes provision for the appointment of a company as
trustee for or representative of the holders of interests issued or
proposed to be issued by a company the Registrar may, subject to this
section, grant his approval to the deed. (2) The Registrar shall not grant
his approval to a deed unless the deed— (a) complies with the requirements
of this Division; and (b) makes provision for such other matters and things
as are required by or under the regulations to be included in the deed and
if regulations have been made prescribing the charges that may be made by a
management company, unless the deed provides— (i) that the charges to be
made by the management company do not exceed such percentages or amounts as
are prescribed; and (ii) that the price at which the interests to which the
deed relates are to be sold or purchased by the management company are
consistent with the regulations relating to those prices. (3) Within seven
days after a deed has been approved under this section, the management
company shall lodge in the office of the Registrar the deed, or a copy of
the deed verified by statutory declaration, and the copy shall for all
purposes, in the absence of proof that it is not a true copy, be regarded
as an original.
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87. (1) The Minister on the recommendation of Bank Negara Malaysia may,
subject to such terms and conditions as he thinks fit, grant his approval
to a company acting as trustee or representative for the purposes of a
deed. (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) the Minister on the recommendation
of Bank Negara Malaysia may, having regard to the nature of the
undertaking, scheme or enterprise, contract or arrangement to which a deed
relates, grant his approval subject to such terms and conditions as he
thinks fit to such other person acting as trustee or representative for the
purpose of the deed. (3) The Minister may, at any time, by reason of a
breach of a term or condition subject to which the approval was granted or
for any other reason, revoke an approval granted by him under this section.
Covenants to be included in deeds 88. (1) A deed shall, for the purposes of
paragraph 86(2)(a), contain covenants to the following effect, namely: (a)
a covenant binding the management company that it will use its best
endeavours to carry on and conduct its business in a proper and efficient
manner and to ensure that any undertaking, scheme or enterprise to which
the deed relates is carried on and conducted in a proper and efficient
manner; (b) covenants binding the management company— (i) that the
management company will pay to the trustee or representative, within thirty
days after their receipt by the company, any moneys that, under the deed,
are payable by the company to the trustee or representative; (ii) that the
management company will not sell any interest to which the deed relates
otherwise than at a price calculated in accordance with the deed;
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(iii) that the management company will, at the request of the holder of an
interest, purchase that interest from the holder and that the purchase
price will be a price calculated in accordance with the deed; and (iv) that
the management company will not, without the approval of the trustee or
representative, publish or cause to be published any advertisement,
circular or other document containing any statement with respect to the
sale price of interests to which the deed relates or the yield therefrom or
containing any invitation to buy interests; (c) covenants binding the
trustee or representative that it will— (i) exercise all due diligence and
vigilance in carrying out its functions and duties and in watching the
rights and interests of the holders of the interests to which the deed
relates; (ii) keep or cause to be kept proper books of account in relation
to those interests; (iii) cause those accounts to be audited at the end of
each financial year by an approved company auditor; and (iv) send or cause
to be sent by post a statement of the accounts with the report of the
auditor thereon within two months of the end of the financial year, to each
of the holders of those interests; (d) a covenant binding the management
company and the trustee or representative, respectively, that no moneys
available for investment under the deed will be invested in or lent to the
management company, or to the trustee or representative, or to any company
(other than a prescribed corporation within the meaning of subsection
38(6)) which is by virtue of section 6 deemed to be related to the
management company or to the trustee or representative; (e) a covenant
binding the management company that, to the same extent as if the trustee
or representative were a director of the company, the company will—
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to each of those holders at his last known address or in the case of joint
holders to the joint holder whose name stands first in the company's
records; and (ii) by publishing at least fourteen days before the proposed
meeting an advertisement giving notice of the meeting in a newspaper
circulating generally throughout Malaysia, summon a meeting of the holders
for the purpose of laying before the meeting the accounts and balance sheet
which were laid before the last preceding annual general meeting of the
management company or the last audited statement of accounts of the trustee
or representative, and for the purpose of giving to the trustee or
representative such directions as the meeting thinks proper. (2) A meeting
summoned for the purposes of a covenant contained in a deed in pursuance of
paragraph (1)(g) or (h) shall be held at the time and place specified in
the notice and advertisement, being a time not later than two months after
the giving of the notice, under the chairmanship of— (a) such person as is
appointed in that behalf by the holders of the interests to which the deed
relates present at the meeting; or (b) where no such appointment is made, a
nominee of the trustee or representative approved by the Registrar, and
shall be conducted in accordance with the deed or, so far as the deed makes
no provision, as directed by the chairman of the meeting. (3)
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in an approved deed, the
undertaking, scheme, enterprise, contract or arrangement to which the deed
relates may be continued in operation or existence if it appears to be in
the interests of the holders of the interests to which the deed relates
during such period as is or such periods as are agreed upon by the trustee
or representative and the management company.
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with such adaptations as the circumstances of each case require and the
Registrar approves. (3) A matter or report referred to in subsection (2)
may be omitted from a statement if having regard to the nature of the
interest the Registrar is of the opinion that the matter or report is not
appropriate for inclusion in the statement and has by writing under his
hand approved the omission. No issue without approved deed 91. (1) A person
shall not issue or offer to the public for subscription or purchase or
invite the public to subscribe for or purchase any interest unless, at the
time of the issue, offer or invitation, there is in force, in relation to
the interest, a deed that is an approved deed. (2) A person shall not in
any deed, prospectus, statement, advertisement or other document relating
to any interest make any reference to an approval of a deed or of a trustee
or representative granted under this Division. (3) Where— (a) an interest
issued by a corporation before the date of commencement of this Act is in
existence immediately before that date; (b) this Division would have
applied in relation to the issue of the interest if the interest had been
issued on or after that date; (c) there is not, at the expiration of three
months after that date, a deed that is an approved deed in force in
relation to the interest; and (d) the corporation did not, within a period
of one month after that date, apply for approval under this Division of a
deed in relation to the interest or, if it did so apply, approval was
refused, the corporation shall, within fourteen days after the expiration
of the period referred to in paragraph (c), give to the holder of the
interest and to the Registrar notice in writing that there is not in force
in relation to that interest a deed that is an approved deed and, if this
subsection is not complied with, each director of the corporation shall, in
addition to the corporation, be deemed to have failed to comply with this
subsection.
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93. (1) Where a deed is or has at any time been an approved deed, the
management company shall, so long as the deed or any deed in substitution
in whole or in part for the deed, remains in force, lodge with the
Registrar, within two months after the end of each financial year
applicable to the deed— (a) a return containing a list of all persons who,
at the end of the financial year, were holders of the interests to which
the deed relates, showing the name and address of each holder and the
extent of his holding and, if his interest consists of a specific interest
in any property, a description of the property and its location sufficient
to identify it; (b) a summary of— (i) all purchases and sales of land and
marketable securities affecting the interests of the holders during the
financial year; and (ii) all other investments affecting the interests of
the holders made during the financial year, showing the descriptions and
quantities of those investments; (c) a statement of the total amount of
brokerage affecting the interests of the holders paid or charged by the
management company during the financial year and the proportion thereof
paid to any stock or share broker, or any partner employee or nominee of
any stock or share broker, who is an officer of the company and the
proportion retained by the company; (d) a list of all parcels of land and
marketable securities, and other investments, held by the trustee or
representative in relation to the deed, as at the end of the financial
year, showing the value of the land, securities or other investments and
the basis of the valuations; and (e) such other statements and particulars,
if any, as may be prescribed. (2) Any document required to be lodged with
the Registrar by the management company under subsection (1) shall be
signed by at least one director of the management company.
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(3) Subsection 88(2) shall apply to such a meeting as if the meeting were a
meeting referred to in that section. (4) If at any such meeting a
resolution is passed by a majority in number representing three-fourths in
value of the holders of the interests present and voting either in person
or by proxy at the meeting that the undertaking, scheme, enterprise,
contract or arrangement to which the deed relates be wound up, the trustee
or representative shall apply to the Court for an order confirming the
resolution. (5) On an application by the trustee or representative the
Court may, if it is satisfied that it is in the interest of the holders of
the interests, confirm the resolution and may make such orders at it thinks
necessary or expedient for the effective winding up of the undertaking,
scheme, enterprise, contract or arrangement. Power to exempt from
compliance with Division and nonapplication of Division in certain
circumstances 96. (1) The Minister may, by notice published in the Gazette
and subject to such terms and conditions as are specified in the notice,—
(a) exempt any company or class of companies or person or class of persons
from complying with all or any of the provisions of this Division in
relation to any interest or class of interests specified in the notice; or
(b) declare that all or any of the provisions of this Division shall not
apply to any interest or class of interests specified in the notice, upon a
request made by the Minister charged with the responsibility for finance on
the grounds— (i) that the interest or class of interests is more
appropriately regulated as a securities or futures contract, as the case
may be; and (ii) that any issue of, offer for subscription or purchase of,
or invitation to subscribe for or purchase, such interest or class of
interests would be more appropriately regulated under the Securities
Commission Act 1993, the Securities Industry Act 1983 or the Futures
Industry Act 1993, as the case may be, and may, by notice published in the
Gazette, revoke such notice or vary it in such manner as he thinks fit.
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(1A) Where a company or person contravenes or fails to comply with any term
or condition specified in a notice of exemption granted under paragraph (1)
(a), every officer of the company or person who is in default shall be
guilty of an offence against this Act. Penalty: Imprisonment for five years
or one hundred thousand ringgit or both. (2) This Division shall not apply
in the case of the sale of any interest by a personal representative,
liquidator, receiver or trustee in bankruptcy in the normal course of
realization of assets. Liability of trustees 97. (1) Subject to this
section, any provision contained in a deed that is or at any time has been
an approved deed, or in any contract with the holders of interests to which
such a deed relates, shall be void so far as it would have the effect of
exempting a trustee or representative under the deed from, or indemnifying
a trustee or representative against, liability for breach of trust where
the trustee or representative fails to show the degree of care and
diligence required of a trustee or representative. (2) Subsection (1) shall
not invalidate— (a) any release otherwise validly given in respect of
anything done or omitted to be done by a trustee or representative before
the giving of the release; or (b) any provision enabling such a release to
be given— (i) on the agreement thereto of a majority of not less than
three-fourths of the holders of interests as vote in person or by proxy at
a meeting summoned for the purpose; and (ii) either with respect to
specific acts or omissions or on the trustee or representative ceasing to
act.
DIVISION 6 TITLE AND TRANSFERS
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(4) If default is made in complying with this section the company and every
officer of the company who is in default shall be guilty of an offence
against this Act. Company may have duplicate common seal 101. A company may
if authorized by its articles have a duplicate common seal which shall be a
facsimile of the common seal of the company with the addition on its face
of the words “Share Seal” and a certificate under the duplicate seal shall
be deemed to be sealed with the common seal of the company for the purposes
of this Act. Loss or destruction of certificates 102. (1) Subject to
subsection (2) where a certificate or other document of title to shares or
debentures is lost or destroyed, the company shall on payment of a fee not
exceeding two ringgit issue a duplicate certificate or document in lieu
thereof to the owner on his application accompanied by— (a) a statutory
declaration that the certificate or document has been lost or destroyed,
and has not been pledged sold or otherwise disposed of, and, if lost, that
proper searches have been made; and (b) an undertaking in writing that if
it is found or received by the owner it will be returned to the company.
(2) Where the value of the shares or debentures represented by the
certificate or document is greater than five hundred ringgit, the directors
of the company may, before accepting an application for the issue of a
duplicate certificate or document, require the applicant— (a) to cause an
advertisement to be inserted in a newspaper circulating in a place
specified by the directors stating that the certificate or document has
been lost or destroyed and that the owner intends after the expiration of
fourteen days after the publication of the advertisement to apply to the
company for a duplicate; or (b) to furnish a bond for an amount equal to at
least the current market value of the shares or debentures indemnifying the
company against loss following on the production of the original
certificate or document, or may require the applicant to do both of those
things.
Companies Instrument of transfer
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(2) If default is made in complying with this section the company and every
officer of the company who is in default shall be guilty of an offence
against this Act. Penalty: *One thousand ringgit. Default penalty.
Certification of transfers 106. (1) The certification by a company of any
instrument of transfer of shares, debentures or other interests in the
company shall be taken as a representation by the company to any person
acting on the faith of the certification that there have been produced to
the company such documents as on the face of them show a prima facie title
to the shares, debentures or other interests in the transferor named in the
instrument of transfer but not as a representation that the transferor has
any title to the shares, debentures or other interests. (2) Where any
person acts on the faith of a false certification by a company made
negligently, the company shall be under the same liability to him as if the
certification had been made fraudulently. (3) Where any certification is
expressed to be limited to forty-two days or any longer period from the
date of certification the company and its officers shall not in the absence
of fraud be liable in respect of the registration of any transfer of shares
debentures or other interests comprised in the certification after the
expiration of the period so limited or any extension thereof given by the
company if the instrument of transfer has not within that period been
lodged with the company for registration. (4) For the purposes of this
section— (a) an instrument of transfer shall be deemed to be certificated
if it bears the words “certificate lodged” or words to the like effect; (b)
the certification of an instrument of transfer shall be deemed to be made
by a company if— (i) the person issuing the instrument is a person
apparently authorized to issue certificated instruments of transfer on the
company’s behalf; and (ii) the certification is signed by a person
apparently authorized to certificate transfers on the company’s behalf or
by any officer either of the company or of a corporation so apparently
authorized; and
*NOTE—Previously “Two hundred and fifty ringgit”–see Companies (Amendment)
Act 1986 [Act A657].
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with the provisions of this Act except that the company shall not be
obliged to enter in such registers the names and particulars of depositors
who are deemed to be members, debenture holders, interest holders or option
holders. (3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, a depositor
shall not be regarded as a member of a company entitled to attend any
general meeting and to speak and vote thereat unless his name appears on
the record of depositors not less than three market days before the general
meeting. (4) The record of depositors shall be prima facie evidence of any
matters inserted therein as required or authorized by this Act. (5) For the
purpose of this section, “market day” means any day between Mondays and
Fridays which is not a market holiday of the stock exchange or public
holiday. Transfer of securities is by way of book entry 107C. (1) On or
after the coming into operation of this section, the transfer of any
securities or class of securities of a company whose securities or any
class of whose securities have been deposited with a central depository
shall be by way of book entry by the central depository in accordance with
the rules of the central depository and, notwithstanding sections 103 and
104, such company shall be precluded from registering and effecting any
transfer of securities or class of securities which have been deposited.
(2) Subsection (1) shall not apply to a transfer of securities to a central
depository or its nominee company. Rectification of record of depositors
107D. (1) Notwithstanding anything in this Act or any written law or rule
of law, no order shall be made by the Court for the rectification of the
record of depositors except in the circumstances and subject to the
conditions specified in subsection (2). (2) If the Court is satisfied that—
(a) a depositor did not consent to a transfer of any securities; or (b) a
depositor should not have been registered as having title to any
securities, it may award to the depositor mentioned in paragraph (a) or any
person who would have been entitled to be registered as having the title to
such securities, as the case may be, on such terms as the Court deems to be
equitable or make such other order as the Court deems fit, including an
order for the transfer of such securities to such depositor or person.
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(3) The charges to which this section applies are— (a) a charge to secure
any issue of debentures; (b) a charge on uncalled share capital of a
company, (c) a charge on shares of a subsidiary of the company which are
owned by the company; (d) a charge or an assignment created or evidenced by
an instrument which if executed by an individual within Peninsular Malaysia
and affecting property within Peninsular Malaysia would be invalid or of
limited effect if not filed or registered under the Bills of Sale Act, 1950
[Act 268]; (e) a charge on land wherever situate or any interest therein;
(f) a charge on book debts of the company; (g) a floating charge on the
undertaking or property of a company; (h) a charge on calls made but not
paid; (i) a charge on a ship or aircraft or any share in a ship or
aircraft; (j) charge on goodwill, on a patent or licence under a patent, on
a trade mark, or on a copyright or a licence under a copyright; and (k) a
charge on the credit balance of the company in any deposit account. (4)
Where a charge created in Malaysia affects property outside Malaysia, the
statement of the prescribed particulars may be lodged for registration
under and in accordance with subsection (1) notwithstanding that further
proceedings may be necessary to make the charge valid or effectual
according to the law of the place in which the property is situate. (5)
When a series of debentures containing or giving by reference to any other
instrument any charge to the benefit of which the debenture holders of that
series are entitled equally is created by a company, it shall be sufficient
if there are lodged with the Registrar for registration within thirty days
after the execution of the instrument containing the charge, or if there is
no such instrument after the execution of the first debenture of the
series, a statement containing the following particulars: (a) the total
amount secured by the whole series; (b) the dates of the resolutions
authorizing the issue of the series and the date of the covering instrument
, if any, by which the security is created or defined;
Companies (c) a general description of the property charged; and
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(d) the names of the trustee, (if any), for the debenture holders. (e)—(g)
(Deleted by Act A836) (6) For the purposes of subsection (5) where more
than one issue is made of debentures in the series there shall be lodged
within thirty days after each issue particulars of the date and amount of
each issue, but an omission so to do shall not affect the validity of the
debentures issued. (7) Where any commission, allowance or discount has been
paid or made either directly or indirectly by a company to any person in
consideration of his whether absolutely or conditionally subscribing or
agreeing to subscribe or procuring or agreeing to procure subscriptions,
whether absolute or conditional, for any debentures, the particulars
required to be lodged under this section shall include particulars as to
the amount or rate per centum of the commission, allowance or discount so
paid or made, but omission so to do shall not affect the validity of the
debentures issued. (8) The deposit of any debentures as security for any
debt of the company shall not for the purposes of subsection (7) be treated
as the issue of the debentures at a discount. (9) No charge or assignment
to which this section applies (except a charge or assignment relating to
land) need be filed or registered under any other written law. (10) Where a
charge requiring registration under this section is created before the
lapse of thirty days after the creation of a prior unregistered charge, and
comprises all or any part of the property comprised in the prior charge,
and the subsequent charge is given as a security for the same debt as is
secured by the prior charge, or any part of that debt, then to the extent
to which the subsequent charge is a security for the same debt or part
thereof, and so far as respects the property comprised in the prior charge,
the subsequent charge shall not be operative or have any validity unless it
is proved to the satisfaction of the court that it was given in good faith
for the purpose of correcting some material error in the prior charge or
under other proper circumstances and not for the purposes of avoiding or
evading the provisions of this Division.
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111. (1) The Registrar shall keep a register of all the charges lodged for
registration under this Division and shall enter in the register with
respect to those charges the following particulars: (a) in the case of a
charge to the benefit of which the holders of a series of debentures are
entitled, such particulars as are required to be contained in a statement
furnished under subsection 108(5); and (b) in the case of any other charge—
(i) if the charge is a charge created by the company, the date of its
creation, and if the charge was a charge existing on property acquired by
the company, the date of the acquisition of the property; (ii) the amount
secured by the charge; (iii) a description sufficient to identify the
property charged; and (iv) the name of the person entitled to the charge.
(2) The Registrar shall issue a certificate of every registration and the
certificate shall be conclusive evidence that the requirements as to
registration have been complied with. Endorsement of certificate of
registration on debentures 112. (1) The company shall cause to be endorsed
on every debenture forming one of a series of debentures, or certificate of
debenture stock which is issued by the company and the payment of which is
secured by a charge so registered— (a) a copy of the certificate of
registration; or (b) a statement that the registration has been effected
and the date of registration. (2) Subsection (1) shall not apply to any
debenture or certificate of debenture stock which has been issued by the
company before the charge was registered.
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(3) Every person who knowingly and wilfully authorizes or permits the
delivery of any debenture or certificate of debenture stock which is not
endorsed as required by this section shall be guilty of an offence against
this Act. Penalty: *Two thousand ringgit. Assignment and variation of
charges 112A. (1) Where, after a charge on property of a company has been
created and registered under this Division, a person other than the
original chargee becomes the holder of the charge, the person who becomes
the holder of the charge shall, within thirty days after he becomes the
holder of the charge— (a) lodge with the Registrar a notice in the
prescribed form stating that he has become the holder of the charge; and
(b) give the company a copy of the notice. (2) Where, after a charge on
property of a company has been created and registered under this Division,
there is a variation in the terms of the charge having the effect of— (a)
increasing the amount of the debt or increasing the liabilities (whether
present or prospective) secured by the charge; or (b) prohibiting or
restricting the creation of subsequent charges on the property, the company
shall, within thirty days after the variation occurs, lodge with the
Registrar a notice in the prescribed form setting out the particulars of
the variation. (3) Where the amount of debt or liability secured by a
registrable charge created by the company is— (a) unspecified; or (b)
specified with further advances, any payment or advance made by the chargee
to the company in accordance with the terms of the charge shall not be
regarded, for the purpose of subsection (2), to be a variation in the terms
of the charge.
*NOTE—Previously “five hundred ringgit”–see Companies (Amendment) Act 1986
[Act A657].
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Registered office of company 119. (1) A company shall as from the day on
which it begin to carry on business or as from the fourteenth day after the
date of its incorporation, whichever is the earlier, have a registered
office within Malaysia to which all communications and notices may be
addressed and which shall be open and accessible to the public for not less
than three hours during ordinary business hours on each day, Saturdays,
weekly and public holidays excepted. (2) If default is made in complying
with subsection (1) the company and every officer of the company who is in
default shall be guilty of an offence against this Act. Penalty: *One
thousand ringgit. Default penalty.
*NOTE—Previously “Two hundred and fifty ringgit”–see Companies (Amendment)
Act 1985 [Act A616].
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120. (1) Notice in the prescribed form of the situation of the registered
office, the days and hours during which it is open and accessible to the
public, and of any change therein shall be lodged with the Registrar within
one month after the date of incorporation or of any such change, as the
case may be, but no notice of the days and hours during which the office is
open and accessible to the public shall be required if the office is open
for at least five hours during ordinary business hours on each day,
Saturdays, weekly and public holidays excepted. Penalty (2) If default is
made in complying with this section the company and every officer of the
company who is in default shall be guilty of an offence against this Act.
Penalty: *One thousand ringgit. Default penalty. Publication of name 121.
(1) The name of the company (whether or not it is carrying on business
under a business name) in legible romanized letters and the company number
of the company shall appear on— (a) its seal; and (b) all business letters,
statements of account, invoices, official notices, publications, bills of
exchange, promissory notes, endorsements, cheques, orders, receipts and
letters of credit of or purporting to be issued or signed by or on behalf
of, the company, and if default is made in complying with this subsection
the company shall be guilty of an offence against this Act. (1A) Where a
company has changed its name pursuant to section 23, the former name of the
company shall also appear beneath its present name on all documents,
business letters, statements of account, invoices, official notices,
publications, bills of exchange, promissory notes, endorsements, cheques,
orders, receipts and letters of credit of, or purporting to be issued or
signed by or on behalf of, the company for a period of not less than twelve
months from the date of the change, and if default is made in complying
with this subsection the company shall be guilty of an offence against this
Act.
*NOTE—Previously “Two hundred and fifty ringgit”–see Companies (Amendment)
Act 1985 [Act A616].
Companies (2) If an officer of a company or any person on its behalf—
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(a) uses or authorizes the use of any seal purporting to be a seal of the
company whereon its name does not so appear; (b) issues or authorizes the
issue of any business letter, statement of account, invoice, official
notice or publication of the company wherein its name and former name (if
applicable) is not so mentioned; or (c) signs issues or authorizes to be
signed or issued on behalf of the company any bill of exchange, promissory
note, cheque or other negotiable instrument or any endorsement, order,
receipt or letter of credit wherein its name and former name (if
applicable) is not so mentioned, he shall be guilty of an offence against
this Act, and where he has signed, issued or authorized to be signed or
issued on behalf of the company any bill of exchange, promissory note or
other negotiable instrument or any endorsement thereon or order wherein
that name and former name (if applicable) is not so mentioned, he shall in
addition be liable to the holder of the instrument or order for the amount
due thereon unless it is paid by the company. Name to be displayed on all
offices (3) Every company shall paint or affix and keep painted or affixed
on the outside of every office or place in which its business is carried
on, in a prominent position in romanized letters easily legible its name,
and also, in the case of the registered office, the words “Pejabat Yang
Didaftarkan” and if it fails so to do the company shall be guilty of an
offence against this Act. Penalty: *One thousand ringgit. Default penalty.
(4) In this section, “company number” means the number allocated by the
Registrar to a company on its incorporation.
DIVISION 2 DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Directors 122. (1) Every company shall have at least two directors, who
each has his principal or only place of residence within Malaysia.
*NOTE—Previously “Two hundred and fifty ringgit”–see Companies (Amendment)
Act 1986 [Act A657].
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(4) A person vacating office under this section shall be incapable of being
reappointed as director until he has obtained his qualification.
Undischarged bankrupts acting as directors 125. (1) Every person who being
an undischarged bankrupt acts as director of, or directly or indirectly
takes part in or is concerned in the management of, any corporation except
with the leave of the Court shall be guilty of an offence against this Act.
Penalty: Imprisonment for five years or one hundred thousand ringgit or
both. (2) The Court shall not give leave under this section unless notice
of intention to apply therefor has been served on the Minister and on the
Official Receiver and the Minister and the Official Receiver or either of
them may be represented at the hearing of and may oppose the granting of
the application. Appointment of directors to be voted on individually 126.
(1) At a general meeting of a public company, a motion for the appointment
of two or more persons as directors by a single resolution shall not be
made unless a resolution that it shall be so made has first been agreed to
by the meeting without any vote being given against it. (2) A resolution
passed in pursuance of a motion made in contravention of this section shall
be void, whether or not its being so moved was objected to at the time. (3)
Where a resolution pursuant to a motion made in contravention of this
section is passed no provision for the automatic reappointment of retiring
directors in default of another appointment shall apply. (4) For the
purposes of this section, a motion for approving a person’s appointment or
for nominating a person for appointment shall be treated as a motion for
his appointment. (5) Nothing in this section shall apply to a resolution
altering the company’s articles. (6) Nothing in this section prevents the
election of two or more directors by ballot or poll.
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and that person, within a period of five years after his conviction or, if
he is sentenced to imprisonment, after his release from prison, without the
leave of the Court is a director or promoter of or is in any way whether
directly or indirectly concerned or takes part in the management in
Malaysia of a corporation he shall be guilty of an offence against this
Act. Penalty: Imprisonment for *five years or one hundred thousand ringgit
or both. (2) A person intending to apply for the leave of the Court under
this section shall give to the Registrar not less than ten days’ notice of
his intention so to apply and the Registrar shall be made a party to the
proceedings. (3) On the hearing of any application under this section the
Registrar may oppose the granting of the application. Disqualification of
directors of insolvent companies 130A. (1) Where on an application under
this section it appears to the Court— (a) that a person— (i) is or has been
a director of a company which has at any time gone into liquidation
(whether while he was a director or subsequently) and was insolvent at that
time; and (ii) is or has been a director of such other company which has
gone into liquidation within five years of the date on which the first-
mentioned company went into liquidation; and (b) that his conduct as
director of any of those companies makes him unfit to be concerned in the
management of a company, the Court may make an order that that person shall
not, without the leave of the Court, be a director of or in any way,
whether directly or indirectly, be concerned or take part in the management
of a company for such period beginning on the date of the order and not
exceeding five years as may be specified in the order.
*NOTE—Previously “six months or one thousand ringgit”–see Companies
(Amendment) Act 1986 [Act A657].
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(2) An application under this section shall be made by the Registrar or the
Official Receiver. (3) Where the Registrar or the Official Receiver intends
to make an application under this section in respect of any person, he
shall give not less than ten days' notice of his intention to that person,
and on hearing of the application that person may appear and give evidence
or call witnesses. (4) A person intending to apply for the leave of the
Court under subsection (1) shall give to the Registrar not less than ten
days' notice of his intention so to apply and the Registrar shall be made a
party to the proceedings. (5) On the hearing of any application under
subsection (4) the Registrar may oppose the granting of the application.
(6) If any person acts in contravention of an order made under subsection
(1), he shall be guilty of an offence against this Act. Penalty:
Imprisonment for three years or ten thousand ringgit or both. (7) The
Registrar or the Official Receiver may require the liquidator or former
liquidator of any company— (a) to furnish him with such information with
respect to the company's affairs; and (b) to produce and permit inspection
of such books or documents of or relevant to the company, as the Registrar
or the Official Receiver may reasonably require for the purpose of
determining whether to make an application under this section in respect of
any person who is or has been a director of that company; and if a person
makes default in complying with any such requirement, the Court may, on the
application of the Registrar or the Official Receiver make an order
requiring that person to make good the default within such time as may be
specified. (8) Subsection (6) does not affect the powers of the Court in
relation to the punishment of contempt of the Court. (9) Subsection (1)
does not apply unless at least one of the companies therein mentioned has
gone into liquidation after the date of coming into operation of this
section and the conduct to which regard may be had
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(4) The directors may issue shares notwithstanding that an approval for the
purposes of this section has ceased to be in force if the shares are issued
in pursuance of an offer, agreement or option made or granted by them while
the approval was in force and they were authorized by the approval to make
or grant an offer, agreement or option which would or might require shares
to be issued after the expiration of the approval. (5) Section 154 shall
apply to any resolution whereby an approval is given for the purposes of
this section. (6) Any issue of shares made by a company in contravention of
this section shall be void and consideration given for the shares shall be
recoverable accordingly. (6A) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the directors
of a company shall not be required to obtain the prior approval of the
company in a general meeting to issue shares where the said shares are to
be issued as consideration or part consideration for the acquisition of
shares or assets by the company and members of the company have been
notified of the intention to issue the said shares at least fourteen days
before the date of the issue of the said shares. (6B) For the purpose of
subsection (6A), members of the company are deemed to have been notified of
the intention to issue shares of the company if— (a) a copy of the
statement explaining the purpose of the intended issue of shares has been
sent to every member at his last known address according to the register of
members; and (b) the copy of the statement has been advertised in a
national language and an English language newspaper circulating generally
throughout Malaysia. (7) Any director who knowingly contravenes, or permits
or authorizes the contravention of, this section with respect to any issue
of shares shall be liable to compensate the company and the person to whom
the shares were issued for any loss, damages or costs which the company or
that person may have sustained or incurred thereby; but no proceedings to
recover any such loss, damages or costs shall be commenced, notwithstanding
the provisions of the Limitation Act 1953, after the expiration of three
years from the date of the issue.
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(8) This section shall not apply to any issue of shares of a company before
— (a) the beginning of the annual general meeting commencing next after the
commencement of this section; or (b) the expiration of the period within
which the next annual general meeting after the commencement of this
section is required by law to be held, whichever is the earlier.
Substantial property transactions involving directors 132E. (1) Subject to
section 132F, a company shall not enter into any arrangement or transaction
with a director of the company or its holding company or with a person
connected with such a director to acquire from or dispose to such a
director or person any noncash assets of the requisite value unless the
arrangement or transaction is first approved by a resolution of the company
in general meeting and also, if the director or connected person is a
director of its holding company or person connected with such a director,
by a resolution of the holding company in general meeting. (2) An
arrangement entered into in contravention of subsection (1) and any
transaction entered into in pursuance of the arrangement (whether by the
company or any other person) shall be voidable at the instance of the
company unless the arrangement and transaction are, within a reasonable
period, ratified by the company in general meeting and also, if the
arrangement and transaction are for the transfer of an asset to or by a
director of its holding company or a person who is connected with such a
director, by a resolution of the holding company in general meeting. (3)
Where an arrangement is entered into with a company by a director of the
company or its holding company or a person connected with him in
contravention of subsection (1) and any transaction is entered into in
pursuance of the arrangement, that director and the person so connected and
any director who authorized the arrangement shall, in addition to any other
liability, be liable— (a) to account to the company for any gain which he
had made directly or indirectly by the arrangement or transaction; and (b)
jointly and severally with any person liable under this subsection, to
indemnify the company for any loss or damage resulting from the arrangement
or transaction.
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(4) The Court may, on the application of any member of the company,
restrain the company from entering into an arrangement or transaction in
contravention of subsection (1) (5) For the purposes of subsection (1), a
non-cash asset is of the requisite value if, at the time of the arrangement
or transaction for the acquisition or disposal of the asset, its value is
not less than ten thousand ringgit but (subject to that) exceeds two
hundred and fifty thousand ringgit or ten per centum of the company’s asset
value, that is— (a) except in a case falling within paragraph (b), the
value of the company’s net assets determined by reference to the accounts
prepared and laid under Part VI in respect of the last financial year prior
to the arrangement or transaction; or (b) where no accounts have been so
prepared and laid before that time, the amount of the company’s called-up
share capital. (6) A director of a company or of its holding company, or a
person connected with such a director, who enters into an arrangement or
transaction with the company in contravention of this section, or a
director who authorized the arrangement or transaction, shall be guilty of
an offence against this Act. Penalty: Imprisonment for five years or thirty
thousand ringgit or both. (7) For the purposes of this section and section
132F “non-cash asset” means any property or interest in property other than
cash and for this purpose “cash” includes foreign currency. (8) A reference
to the acquisition or disposal of a non-cash asset includes the creation or
extinction of an estate or interest in, or a right over, any property and
also the discharge of any person’s liability, other than a liability for a
liquidated sum. Exception and definition 132F. Section 132E shall not apply
to an arrangement or transaction for the acquisition or disposal of a non-
cash asset entered into— (a) by a company— (i) and any of its wholly-owned
subsidiaries;
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(ii) and its holding company which holds all the issued shares of the
company; or (iii) which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of a holding company
and another wholly-owned subsidiary company of that same holding company;
(b) by a company which is being wound up, unless the winding up is a
members’ voluntary winding up; (c) by a company which is an acquisition or
disposal of an asset in the ordinary course of business of the company and
is on terms not more favourable than those generally available to the
public or employees of the company; or (d) by a company if such arrangement
or transaction does not involve transfer of cash or property and which
shall have no effect unless approved at a general meeting or by a relevant
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(4) For the purposes of subsection (1)— (a) a “person connected with a
shareholder or a director” shall have the same meaning as that assigned to
a “person connected with a director” in section 122A, except that a
reference to a member of that shareholder’s or director’s family shall be
limited to that shareholder’s or director’s spouse and child (including
adopted child and stepchild); and (b) a reference to a shareholder of an
acquiring company is a reference to a shareholder who has a substantial
shareholding, as defined in section 69D, in the acquiring company. (5) If
there is any contravention of this section, the acquiring company and every
director of the said company shall be guilty of an offence against this Act
save in respect of any arrangement or transaction which is pending
completion at the time of coming into force of this section. Penalty:
Imprisonment for three years or fifty thousand ringgit or both. (6) This
section shall not apply to— (a) subscription of new shares in a company for
cash consideration; (b) an arrangement or transaction for the acquisition
of shares or assets entered into by a company— (i) and any of its wholly-
owned subsidiaries; (ii) and its holding company which holds all the issued
shares of the company; or (iii) which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of a
holding company and another wholly-owned subsidiary company of that same
holding company; (c) an acquisition of any asset, other than shares, by a
company from another company where the sale of the relevant asset is part
of the ordinary course of business of the second-mentioned company;
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(c) rights or options of the director or of the director and other person
in respect of the acquisition or disposal of shares in, debentures of or
participatory interests made available by the company or a related
corporation; and (d) contracts to which the director is a party or under
which he is entitled to a benefit being contracts under which a person has
a right to call for or to make delivery of shares in, debentures of or
participatory interests made available by the company or a related
corporation. (2) A company need not show in its register with respect to
any director particulars of shares in a related corporation, that is the
wholly-owned subsidiary of the company or of another corporation. (3) A
company that is a wholly-owned subsidiary of another company shall be
deemed to have complied with this section in relation to a director who is
a director of that other company if the particulars required by this
section to be shown in the register of the first-mentioned company with
respect to the director are shown in the register of the second-mentioned
company. (4) (Deleted by Act A657). (5) A company shall within three days
after receiving notice from a director under paragraph 135(1)(a) enter in
its register in relation to the director the particulars referred to in
subsection (1) including the number and description of shares, debentures,
participatory interests, rights, options and contracts to which the notice
relates and in respect of shares, debentures, participatory interests,
rights or options acquired or contracts entered into after he became a
director— (a) the price or other consideration for the transaction, if any,
by reason of which an entry is required to be made under this section; and
(b) the date of— (i) the agreement for the transaction or if it is later,
the completion of the transaction; or (ii) where there was no transaction,
the occurrence of the event by reason of which an entry is required to be
made under this section.
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(6) A company shall, within three days after receiving a notice from a
director under paragraph 135(1)(b), enter in its register the particulars
of the change referred to in the notice. (7) A company is not, by reason of
anything done under this section, to be deemed for any purpose to have
notice of or to be put upon inquiry as to the right of a person to or in
relation to, a share in, debenture of or participatory interest made
available by the company. (8) A company shall, subject to this section,
keep its register at the registered office of the company and the register
shall be open for inspection by a member of the company without charge and
by any other person on payment of a prescribed fee. (9) Any person may
request a company to furnish him with a copy of its register or any part of
its register on payment in advance of a prescribed fee and the company
shall send the copy to that person within twenty-one days or such longer
period as the Registrar thinks fit after the day on which the request is
received by the company. (10) The Registrar may, at any time in writing,
require a company to furnish him with a copy of its register or any part of
its register and the company shall furnish the copy within seven days after
the day on which the requirement is received by the company. (11) A company
shall produce its register at the commencement of each annual general
meeting of the company and keep it open and accessible during the meeting
to all persons attending the meeting. (12) In this section— (a) a reference
to a participatory interest is a reference to an interest within the
meaning of section 84; and (b) a reference to a person who holds or
acquires share, debentures or participatory interests or an interest in
shares, debentures or participatory interests includes a reference to a
person who under an option holds or acquires a right to acquire or dispose
of a share, debenture or participatory interest or an interest in a share,
debenture or participatory interest.
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(13) In determining, for the purposes of this section, whether a person has
an interest in a debenture or participatory interest the provisions of
section 6A, except for subsections (1) and (3) of that section, have effect
and in applying those provisions, a reference to share shall be read as a
reference to a debenture or participatory interest. (14) If default is made
in complying with this section the company and every officer of the company
who is in default shall be guilty of an offence against this Act. Penalty:
Imprisonment for three years or fifteen thousand ringgit. Default penalty.
General duty to make disclosure 135. (1) A director of a company shall give
notice in writing to the company— (a) of such particulars relating to
shares, debentures, participatory interests, rights, options and contracts
as are necessary for the purposes of compliance by the firstmentioned
company with section 134; (b) of particulars of any change in respect of
the particulars referred to in paragraph (a) of which notice has been given
to the company including the consideration, if any, received as a result of
the event giving rise to the change; (c) of such events and matters
affecting or relating to himself as are necessary for the purposes of
compliance by the company with the requirements of this Act; and (d) if he
is a director of a public company or of a subsidiary of a public company of
the date on which he attains or will attain the age of seventy. Penalty:
Imprisonment for three years or fifteen thousand ringgit. (2) A person
required to give notice under subsection (1) shall give the notice— (a) in
the case of a notice under paragraph (1)(a), within fourteen days after—
(i) the coming into operation of this section;
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(ii) the date on which the director became a director; or (iii) the date on
which the director acquired an interest in the shares, debentures,
participatory interests, rights, options or contracts; (b) in the case of a
notice under paragraph (1)(b), within fourteen days after the occurrence of
the event giving rise to the change referred to in that paragraph; and (c)
in the case of a notice under paragraph (1)(d), within fourteen days after—
(i) the coming into operation of this section; or (ii) the date on which
the director became a director. (2A) A person required to give notice under
subsection (1) of any matters relating to shares or debentures which are
listed on the official list of a Stock Exchange as defined in the
Securities Industry Act 1983 shall, on the day on which he gives that
notice, serve a copy of the notice on the Stock Exchange and the Stock
Exchange may publish, in any manner as it may determine, any information
contained in that notice. Penalty: Ten thousand ringgit. Default penalty:
Five hundred ringgit. (3) A company shall within seven days of receiving a
notice given under subsection (1) send a copy of the notice to each of the
other directors of the company. Penalty: Ten thousand ringgit. Default
penalty: Five hundred ringgit. (4) In this section a reference to a
participatory interest is a reference to an interest within the meaning of
section 84. (5) In determining, for the purposes of this section, whether a
person has an interest in a debenture or participatory interest section 6A,
save for subsections (1) and (3) of that section, have effect and in
applying those provisions a reference to a share shall be read as a
reference to a debenture or participatory interest.
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(c) any bona fide payment by way of damages for breach of contract; (d) any
bona fide payment by way of pension or lump sum payment in respect of past
services, including any superannuation or retiring allowance,
superannuation, gratuity or similar payment, where the value or amount of
the pension or payment (except so far as it is attributable to
contributions made by the director) does not exceed the total emoluments of
the director in the three years immediately preceding his retirement or
death; or (e) any payment to a director pursuant to an agreement made
between the company and him before he became a director of the company as
the consideration or part of the consideration for the director agreeing to
serve the company as a director. (6) This section shall be in addition to
and not in derogation of any rule of law requiring disclosure to be made
with respect to any such payments or any other like payment. (7) In this
section “director” includes any person who has at any time been a director
of the company or of a corporation which is by virtue of section 6 deemed
to be related to the company. Provisions as to assignment of office 138.
(1) If in the case of any public company provision is made by the articles
or by any agreement entered into between any person and the company for
empowering a director or manager of the company to assign his office as
such to another person, any such assignment of office shall,
notwithstanding anything in the said provision, be of no effect until
approved by a special resolution of the company. (2) This section shall not
be construed so as to prevent the appointment by a director (if authorized
by the articles and subject thereto) of an alternate or substitute director
to act for or on behalf of the director during his inability for any time
to act as director. Secretary 139. (1) Every company shall have one or more
secretaries each of whom shall be a natural person of full age who has his
principal or only place of residence in Malaysia.
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(a) he is a member of a professional body, or any other body, which has for
the time being been prescribed by the Minister by notification published in
the Gazette; or (b) he is licensed by the Registrar for that purpose:
Provided that a person who is a secretary of the company before the coming
into operation of this section and who is not a member of a professional or
other body as prescribed by the Minister may continue to act as the
secretary for the company for a period of not more than twelve months after
the coming into operation of this section unless he has obtained a licence
pursuant to paragraph (b). Licence to act as company secretary 139B. (1)
For the purpose of paragraph 139A(b), an application for a licence shall be
made to the Registrar in the prescribed form and manner. (2) The Registrar
may require an applicant to supply him with such further information as he
considers necessary in relation to the application. (3) The Registrar shall
only grant or renew the licence if— (a) after consideration of the
character, qualification and experience of the applicant; and (b) after
consideration of the interest of the public, he is of the opinion that the
applicant is a fit and proper person to hold a licence.
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(4) Every licence granted under this section, including a renewal of the
licence, shall be in force for a period of three years after the date of
the issue thereof, unless sooner revoked by the Registrar. (5) An
application for renewal of a licence shall be made not later than thirty
days before the expiry of the licence. (6) Notwithstanding subsection (5),
where an application for the renewal of a licence is made less than thirty
days but before the expiry date of the licence, the Registrar may for any
special reasons he deems fit accept such application for consideration.
Disqualification 139C. (1) A person shall be disqualified to act as a
secretary if— (a) he is an undischarged bankrupt; (b) he is convicted
whether within or without Malaysia of any offence mentioned in subsection
130(1); (c) he ceases to be a member of the body prescribed by the Minister
under section 139A; or (d) he ceases to be a holder of a valid licence
issued under section 139B. (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the
Registrar may require a person to show cause why his licence issued under
section 139B should not be revoked or why he should not be disqualified
from acting as a secretary of a company, if he is of the opinion that that
person has failed to act honestly or has failed to use reasonable diligence
in the discharge of his duties as a secretary. (3) If a person continues to
act as a secretary for a company after he is so disqualified under this
section without leave of the Court, he and every director who knowingly
permits him to act in that capacity shall be guilty of an offence. Appeal
139D. (1) A person who is aggrieved by any decision of the Registrar under
sections 139B and 139C may appeal to the Minister within thirty days of the
decision of the Registrar. (2) In any appeal under this section, the
decision of the Minister shall be final and shall be given effect to by the
Registrar.
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(4) The register shall specify with respect to each manager and secretary
his full name, identification and residential address and other occupation,
if any. (5) The register shall be open to the inspection of any member of
the company without charge and of any other person on payment of two
ringgit, or such less sum as the company requires, for each inspection. (6)
The company shall lodge with the Registrar— (a) within one month after
incorporation, a return in the prescribed form containing the particulars
required to be specified in the register; (b) within one month after a
person ceases to be, or becomes, a director of the company, a return in the
prescribed form notifying the Registrar of the change and containing, with
respect to each then director of the company, the particulars required to
be specified in the register; (c) within one month after a person becomes a
manager or secretary of the company, a return in the prescribed form
notifying the Registrar of that fact and specifying the full name, address
and other occupation, if any, of that person; (d) within one month after a
person ceases to be a manager or secretary of the company, a return in the
prescribed form notifying the Registrar of that fact; and (e) within one
month of any change in the name, residential address and other prescribed
particulars of any director, manager or secretary a notice in the
prescribed form notifying the Registrar of the new name, residential
address and other prescribed particulars of that person. (7) If default is
made in complying with this section the company and every officer of the
company who is in default shall be guilty of an offence against this Act.
Penalty: *One thousand ringgit. Default penalty. (8) A certificate of the
Registrar stating that from any return lodged with the Registrar pursuant
to this section it appears that at any time specified in the certificate
any person was a director, manager or secretary of a specified company
shall, in all courts
*NOTE—Previously “two hundred and fifty ringgit”–see Companies (Amendment)
Act 1985 [Act A616].
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and by all persons having power to take evidence for the purposes of this
Act, be received as prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein and
for the purposes of this subsection a person who appears from any return so
lodged to be a director, manager or secretary of a company shall be deemed
to continue as such until by a subsequent return so lodged or by a
notification of change in the prescribed form so lodged it appears that he
has ceased to be such a director, manager or secretary. (9) In this
section, “identification” means, in the case of any person issued with an
identity card, the number of the identity card, in the case of a person not
issued with an identity card, particulars of passport or such other similar
evidence of identification as is available, if any. (10) In this section
“director” includes an alternate, substitute or local director.
DIVISION 3 MEETINGS AND PROCEEDINGS
Statutory meeting and statutory report 142. (1) Every public company that
is a limited company and has a share capital shall, within a period of not
less than one month and not more than three months after the date at which
it is entitled to commence business, hold a general meeting of the members
of the company to be called the “statutory meeting”. (2) The directors
shall at least seven days before the day on which the meeting is to be held
forward a report to be called the “statutory report” to every member of the
company. (3) The statutory report shall be certified by not less than two
directors of the company and shall state— (a) the total number of shares
allotted distinguishing shares allotted as fully or partly paid up
otherwise than in cash, and stating in the case of shares partly paid up
the extent to which they are so paid up, and in either case the
consideration for which they have been allotted; (b) the total amount of
cash received by the company in respect of all the shares allotted and so
distinguished;
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(c) an abstract of the receipts of the company and of the payments made
thereout up to a date within seven days of the date of the report
exhibiting under distinctive headings the receipts from shares and
debentures and other sources the payments made thereof and particulars
concerning the balance remaining in hand, and an account or estimate of the
preliminary expenses; (d) the names and addresses and descriptions of the
directors, trustees for holders of debentures, if any, auditors, if any,
managers, if any, and secretaries of the company; and (e) the particulars
of any contract, the modification of which is to be submitted to the
meeting for its approval together with the particulars of the modification
or proposed modification. (4) The statutory report shall, so far as it
relates to the shares allotted and to the cash received in respect of those
shares and to the receipts and payments on capital account, be examined and
reported upon by the auditors, if any. (5) The directors shall cause a copy
of the statutory report and the auditor's report, if any, to be lodged with
the Registrar at least seven days before the date of the statutory meeting.
(6) The directors shall cause a list showing the names and addresses of the
members and the number of shares held by them respectively to be produced
at the commencement of the meeting and to remain open and accessible to any
member during the continuance of the meeting. (7) The members present at
the meeting shall be at liberty to discuss any matter relating to the
formation of the company or arising out of the statutory report, whether
previous notice has been given or not, but no resolution of which notice
has not been given in accordance with the articles may be passed. (8) The
meeting may adjourn from time to time and at any adjourned meeting any
resolution of which notice has been given in accordance with the articles
either before or subsequently to the former meeting may be passed and the
adjourned meeting shall have the same powers as an original meeting.
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145. (1) Two or more members holding not less than one-tenth of the issued
share capital or, if the company has not a share capital, not less than
five per centum in number of the members of the company or such lesser
number as is provided by the articles may call a meeting of the company.
(2) A meeting of a company or of a class of members, other than a meeting
for the passing of a special resolution, shall be called by notice in
writing of not less than fourteen days or such longer period as is provided
in the articles. (3) A meeting shall, notwithstanding that it is called by
notice shorter than is required by subsection (2) be deemed to be duly
called if it is so agreed— (a) in the case of a meeting called as the
annual general meeting, by all the members entitled to attend and vote
thereat; or (b) in the case of any other meeting, by a majority in number
of the members having a right to attend and vote thereat, being a majority
which together holds not less than ninetyfive per centum in nominal value
of the shares giving a right to attend and vote or, in the case of a
company not having a share capital, together represents not less than
ninety-five per centum of the total voting rights at that meeting of all
the members. (4) So far as the articles do not make other provision in that
behalf notice of every meeting shall be served on every member having a
right to attend and vote thereat in the manner in which notices are
required to be served by Table A. (5) The accidental omission to give
notice of a meeting to, or the non-receipt of notice of a meeting by, any
member shall not invalidate proceedings at a meeting. Place of meeting
145A. Where any meeting (including an adjourned meeting) is required to be
held under this Division it shall be held in the State where its registered
office is situated.
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Quorum, chairman, voting, etc., at meetings 147. (1) So far as the articles
do not make other provision in that behalf and subject to section 55— (a)
two members of the company, personally present shall be a quorum; (b) any
member elected by the members present at a meeting may be chairman thereof;
(c) in the case of a company having a share capital— (i) on a show of hands
each member who is personally present and entitled to vote shall have one
vote; and (ii) on a poll each member shall have one vote in respect of each
share held by him and where all or part of the share capital consists of
stock or units of stock each member shall have one vote in respect of the
stock or units of stock held by him which is or are or were originally
equivalent to one share; and (d) in the case of a company not having a
share capital every member shall have one vote. (2) On a poll taken at a
meeting a person entitled to more than one vote need not, if he votes, use
all his votes or cast all the votes he uses in the same way. (3) A
corporation may by resolution of its directors or other governing body— (a)
if it is a member of a company, authorize such person as it thinks fit to
act as its representative, either at a particular meeting or at all
meetings of the company or of any class of members; or (b) if it is a
creditor (including a holder of debentures) of a company, authorize such
person as it thinks fit to act as its representative either at a particular
meeting or at all meetings of any creditors of the company, and a person so
authorized shall, in accordance with his authority and until his authority
is revoked by the corporation be entitled to exercise the same powers on
behalf of the corporation as the corporation could exercise if it were an
individual member, creditor or holder of debentures of the company.
Companies (4) Where—
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(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the articles may provide that the right
of holders of preference shares to attend and vote at a general meeting of
the company may be suspended upon such conditions as may be specified:
Provided that any preference shares issued after the commencement of this
Act shall carry the right to attend any general meeting and in a poll
thereat to at least one vote for each ringgit or part of a ringgit that is
paid up on each share— (a) during such period as the preferential dividend
or any part thereof remains in arrear and unpaid, such period starting from
a date not more than twelve months, or such lesser period as the articles
may provide, after the due date of the dividend; (b) upon any resolution
which varies the rights attached to such shares; or (c) upon any resolution
for the winding up of the company. (3) For the purposes of subsection (2),
a dividend shall be deemed to be due on the date appointed in the articles
for the payment of the dividend for any year or other period, or if no such
date is appointed, upon the day immediately following the expiration of the
year or other period and whether or not such dividend shall have been
earned or declared. Proxies 149. (1) A member of a company entitled to
attend and vote at a meeting of the company, or at a meeting of any class
of members of the company, shall be entitled to appoint another person
(whether a member or not) as his proxy to attend and vote instead of the
member at the meeting and a proxy appointed to attend and vote instead of a
member shall also have the same right as the member to speak at the
meeting, but unless the articles otherwise provide— (a) a proxy shall not
be entitled to vote except on a poll; (b) a member shall not be entitled to
appoint a person who is not a member as his proxy unless that person is an
advocate, an approved company auditor or a person approved by the Registrar
in a particular case;
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(c) a member shall not be entitled to appoint more than two proxies to
attend and vote at the same meeting; and (d) where a member appoints two
proxies the appointments shall be invalid unless he specifies the
proportions of his holdings to be represented by each proxy. (2) In every
notice calling a meeting of a company or a meeting of any class of members
of a company there shall appear with reasonable prominence a statement as
to the rights of the member to appoint proxies to attend and vote instead
of the member, and that a proxy need not also be a member; and if default
is made in complying with this subsection as respects any meeting, every
officer of the company who is in default shall be guilty of an offence
against this Act. (3) Any person who authorizes or permits an invitation to
appoint as proxy a person or one of a number of persons specified in the
invitation to be issued at the company’s expense to some only of the
members entitled to be sent a notice of the meeting and to vote thereat by
proxy shall be guilty of an offence against this Act. Penalty: *Two
thousand ringgit. (4) No person shall be guilty of an offence under
subsection (3) by reason only of the issue to a member at his request of a
form of appointment naming the proxy or a list of persons willing to act as
proxies if the form or list is available on request in writing to every
member entitled to vote at the meeting by proxy. (5) Any person who
authorizes or permits an invitation to appoint as proxy a person or one of
a number of persons specified in the invitation to be issued or circulated
shall be guilty of an offence against this Act unless the invitation is
accompanied by a form of proxy which shall entitle the member to direct the
proxy to vote either for or against the resolution. Power of Court to order
meeting 150. If for any reason it is impracticable to call a meeting in any
manner in which meetings may be called or to conduct the meeting in the
manner prescribed by the articles or this Act the Court may, either of its
own motion or on the application of any director or of any member who would
be entitled to vote at the meeting or
*NOTE—Previously “five hundred ringgit”–see Companies (Amendment) Act 1986
[Act A657].
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meeting, and notice of the resolution shall be given to any other member of
the company by giving notice of the general effect of the resolution in any
manner permitted for giving him notice of meetings of the company, and the
copy shall be served, or notice of the effect of the resolution shall be
given, as the case may be, in the same manner and, so far as practicable,
at the same time as notice of the meeting and, where it is not practicable
for it to be served or given at that time, it shall be served or given as
soon as practicable thereafter. (4) A company shall not be bound under this
section to give notice of any resolution or to circulate any statement
unless— (a) a copy of the requisition signed by the requisitionists (or two
or more copies which between them contain the signatures of all the
requisitionists) is deposited at the registered office of the company— (i)
in the case of a requisition requiring notice of a resolution, not less
than six weeks before the meeting; and (ii) in the case of any other
requisition, not less than one week before the meeting; and (b) there is
deposited or tendered with the requisition a sum reasonably sufficient to
meet the company’s expenses in giving effect thereto, but if, after a copy
of a requisition requiring notice of a resolution has been deposited at the
registered office of the company, an annual general meeting is called for a
date six weeks or less after the copy has been deposited, the copy though
not deposited within the time required by this subsection shall be deemed
to have been properly deposited for the purposes thereof. (5) The company
shall not be bound under this section to circulate any statement if, on the
application either of the company or of any other person who claims to be
aggrieved, the Court is satisfied that the rights conferred by this section
are being abused to secure needless publicity for defamatory matter and the
Court may order the company’s costs on an application under this section to
be paid in whole or in part by the requisitionists, notwithstanding that
they are not parties to the application.
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(2) Any such resolution shall be deemed to have been passed at a meeting
held at the registered office on the date on which it was signed by the
last member. (3) This section shall not be construed as requiring that the
persons signing a resolution under this section shall sign the same
document containing the resolution; but where two or more documents are
used for the purpose of obtaining signatures under this section in respect
of any resolution, each such document shall be certified in advance by the
secretary of the company as containing the true and correct version of the
proposed resolution. Resolution requiring special notice 153. Where by this
Act special notice is required of a resolution, the resolution shall not be
effective unless notice of the intention to move it has been given to the
company not less than twentyeight days before the meeting at which it is
moved, and the company shall give its members notice of any such resolution
at the same time and in the same manner as it gives notice of the meeting
or, if that is not practicable, shall give them notice thereof, in any
manner allowed by the articles, not less than fourteen days before the
meeting, but if after notice of the intention to move such a resolution has
been given to the company, a meeting is called for a date twenty-eight days
or less after the notice has been given, the notice, although not given to
the company within the time required by this section, shall be deemed to be
properly given, Registration and copies of certain resolutions and
agreements 154. (1) A printed copy of— (a) every special resolution; and
(b) every resolution or agreement which effectively binds any class of
shareholders whether agreed to by all the members of that class or not,
shall except where otherwise expressly provided by this Act within one
month after the passing or making thereof, be lodged by the company with
the Registrar.
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(2) Where articles have not been registered a printed copy of every
resolution or agreement to which this section applies shall be forwarded to
any member at his request on payment of one ringgit or such less sum as the
company directs. (3) In the event of any default in complying with
subsection (1) the company and every officer of the company who is in
default shall be guilty of an offence against this Act. Penalty: *One
thousand ringgit. Default penalty. (4) In the event of any default in
complying with subsection (2) the company and every officer of the company
who is in default shall be guilty of an offence against this Act. Penalty:
Twenty-five ringgit for each copy in respect of which default is made.
Resolutions at adjourned meetings 155. Where a resolution is passed at an
adjourned meeting of a company or of holders of any class of shares or of
directors the resolution shall for all purposes be treated as having been
passed on the date on which it was in fact passed and not on any earlier
date. Minutes of proceedings 156. (1) Every company shall cause— (a)
minutes of all proceedings of general meetings and of meetings of its
directors and of its managers, if any, to be entered in books kept for that
purpose within fourteen days of the date upon which the relevant meeting
was held; and (b) those minutes to be signed by the chairman of the meeting
at which the proceedings were had or by the chairman of the next succeeding
meeting.
*NOTE—Previously “two hundred and fifty ringgit”–see Companies (Amendment)
Act 1986 [Act A657].
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Register and index of members 158. (1) Every company shall keep a register
of its members and enter therein— (a) the names, addresses, the number of
the identity card issued under the National Registration Act 1959 if any,
nationality and any other relevant information and particulars of the
members, and in the case of a company having a share capital a statement of
the shares held by each member, distinguishing each share by its number, if
any, or by the number, if any, of the certificate evidencing the members’
holding and of the amount paid or agreed to be considered as paid on the
shares of each member; (b) the date at which the name of each person was
entered in the register as a member; (c) the date at which any person who
ceased to be a member during the previous seven years so ceased to be a
member; and (d) in the case of a company having a share capital, the date
of every allotment of shares to members and the number of shares comprised
in each allotment. (2) Notwithstanding anything in subsection (1) where the
company has converted any of its shares into stock and given notice of the
conversion to the Registrar, the company shall alter the register to show
the amount of stock or number of stock units held by each member instead of
the number of shares and the particulars relating to shares specified in
paragraph (1)(a). (3) Notwithstanding anything in subsection (1) a company
may keep the names and particulars relating to persons who have ceased to
be members of the company separately and the names and particulars relating
to former members need not be supplied to any person who applies for a copy
of the register unless he specifically requests the names and particulars
of former members. (4) The register of members shall be prima facie
evidence of any matters inserted therein as required or authorized by this
Act.
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Index of members of company (5) Every company having more than fifty
members shall, unless the register of members is in such a form as to
constitute in itself an index, keep an index in convenient form of the
names of the members and shall, within fourteen days after the date on
which any alteration is made in the register of members, make any necessary
alteration in the index. (6) The index shall in respect of each member
contain a sufficient indication to enable the account of that member in the
register to be readily found. (7) If default is made in complying with this
section the company and every officer of the company who is in default
shall be guilty of an offence against this Act. Penalty: *Two thousand
ringgit. Default penalty. Where register to be kept 159. (1) The register
of members and index, if any, shall be kept at the registered office of the
company, but— (a) if the work of making them up is done at another office
of the company within Malaysia they may be kept at that other office; or
(b) if the company arranges with some other person to make up the register
and index, if any, on its behalf they may be kept at the office of that
other person at which the work is done if that office is within Malaysia.
(2) Every company shall, within fourteen days after the register and index,
if any, are first kept at a place other than the registered office, lodge
with the Registrar notice of the place where the register and index, if
any, are kept and shall within fourteen days after any change in the place
at which the register and index, if any, are kept, lodge with the Registrar
notice of the change. (3) If default is made in complying with this section
the company and every officer of the company who is in default shall be
guilty of an offence against this Act. Penalty: *Two thousand ringgit.
Default penalty.
*NOTE—Previously “two hundred and fifty ringgit”–see Companies (Amendment)
Act 1985 [Act A616].
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249
160. (1) A company may, on giving not less than fourteen days notice to the
Registrar, close the register of members or any class of members for any
time, but so that no part of the register shall be closed for more than
thirty days in the aggregate in any calendar year. (2) The register and
index shall be open to the inspection of any member without charge and of
any other person on payment for each inspection of one ringgit or such less
sum as the company requires. (3) Any member or other person may request the
company to furnish him with a copy of the register, or of any part thereof,
but only so far as it relates to names, addresses, number of shares held
and amounts paid on shares, on payment in advance of one ringgit or such
less sum as the company requires for every hundred words or fractional part
thereof required to be copied and the company shall cause any copy so
requested by any person to be sent to that person within a period of
twenty-one days or within such further period as the Registrar considers
reasonable in the circumstances commencing on the day next after the day on
which the request is received by the company. (4) If any copy so requested
is not sent within the period prescribed by subsection (3) the company and
every officer of the company who is in default shall be guilty of an
offence against this Act. Penalty: *Five hundred ringgit. Default penalty.
Consequences of default by agent 161. Where, by virtue of paragraph 159 (1)
(b), the register of members is kept at the office of some person other
than the company, and by reason of any default of his the company fails to
comply with subsection 159(1) or (2) or with section 160 or with any
requirements of this Act as to the production of the register, that other
person shall be liable to the same penalties as if he were an officer of
the company who was in default, and the power of the Court under section
362 shall extend to the making of orders against that other person and his
officers and servants.
*NOTE—Previously “one hundred ringgit”–see Companies (Amendment) Act 1986
[Act A657].
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Power of Court to rectify register 162. (1) If— (a) the name of any person
is without sufficient cause entered in or omitted from the register; or (b)
default is made or unnecessary delay takes place in entering in the
register the fact of any person having ceased to be a member, the person
aggrieved or any member or the company may apply to the Court for
rectification of the register, and the Court may refuse the application or
may order rectification of the register and payment by the company of any
damages sustained by any party to the application. (2) On any application
under subsection (1) the Court may decide— (a) any question relating to the
title of any person who is a party to the application to have his name
entered in or omitted from the register, whether the question arises
between members or alleged members or between members or alleged members on
the one hand and the company on the other hand; and (b) generally, any
question necessary or expedient to be decided for the rectification of the
register. (3) The Court when making an order for rectification of the
register shall by its order direct a notice of the rectification to be so
lodged. (4) No application for the rectification of a register in respect
of an entry which was made in the register more than thirty years before
the date of the application shall be entertained by the Court. Limitation
of liability of trustee, etc., registered as owner of shares 163. (1) Any
trustee, executor or administrator of the estate of any deceased person who
was registered in a register or branch register kept in Malaysia as the
holder of a share in any corporation may become registered as the holder of
that share as trustee executor
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(3) A branch register shall be kept in the same manner in which the
principal register is by this Act required to be kept. (4) The company
shall transmit to the office at which its principal register is kept a copy
of every entry in its branch register as soon as may be after the entry is
made, and shall cause to be kept at that office duly entered up from time
to time a copy of its branch register, which shall for all purposes of this
Act be deemed to be part of the principal register. (5) Subject to the
provisions of this section with respect to the copy register the shares
registered in a branch register shall be distinguished from the shares
registered in the principal register, and no transaction with respect to
any shares registered in a branch register shall during the continuance of
that registration be registered in any other register. (6) A company may
discontinue a branch register and thereupon all entries in that register
shall be transferred to some other branch register kept by the company in
the same place or to the principal register. (7) This section shall apply
to all companies incorporated within Malaysia by or under any Federal or
State law. (8) If by virtue of the law in force in any other country any
corporation incorporated under that law keeps in Malaysia a branch register
of its members, the Minister may by order declare that the provisions of
this Act relating to inspection, place of keeping and rectification of
registers of members shall, subject to any modifications specified in the
order, apply to and in relation to any such branch register kept in
Malaysia as they apply to and in relation to the registers of companies
under this Act and thereupon those provisions shall apply accordingly. (9)
If default is made in complying with this section the company and every
officer of the company who is in default and every person who, pursuant to
section 159 has arranged to make up the principal register, and who is in
default shall be guilty of an offence against this Act. Penalty: *One
thousand ringgit. Default penalty.
*NOTE—Previously “two hundred and fifty ringgit”–see Companies (Amendment)
Act 1986 [Act A657].
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DIVISION 5 ANNUAL RETURN
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Annual return by company having a share capital 165. (1) Every company
having a share capital shall make a return containing the particulars
referred to in Part l of the Eighth Schedule and accompanied by such copies
of documents as are required to be included in the return in accordance
with Part ll of that Schedule and such of the certificates and other
particulars prescribed in that Part as are applicable to the company. (2)
The return shall be in accordance with the form set out in Part II of the
Eighth Schedule or as near thereto as circumstances admit and shall be made
up to the date of the annual general meeting of the company in the year or
a date not later than the fourteenth day after the date of the annual
general meeting. (3) In the case of a company keeping a branch register the
particulars of the entries in that register shall, so far as they relate to
matters which are required to be stated in the return, be included in the
return made next after copies of those entries are received at the
registered office of the company. (4) The annual return signed by a
director or by the manager or secretary of the company shall be lodged with
the Registrar within one month or in the case of a company keeping pursuant
to its articles a branch register in any place outside Malaysia within two
months after the annual general meeting. Annual return by company not
having a share capital (5) A company not having a share capital shall,
within one month after each annual general meeting of the company, lodge
with the Registrar a return in the prescribed form containing the
particulars referred to in subsection (6) and made up to the date of the
annual general meeting or a date not later than the fourteenth day after
the date of the annual general meeting.
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(6) The return of a company not having a share capital shall contain-— (a)
the address of the registered office of the company; (b) in a case in which
the register of members is, under this Act, kept elsewhere than at that
office, the address of the place where it is kept; (c) particulars of the
total amount of the indebtedness of the company in respect of all charges,
whether required to be registered with the Registrar or not; (d) all such
particulars with respect to the persons who, on the day to which the return
is made up, are the directors, managers or secretaries of the company as
are required to be contained in the register of directors, managers and
secretaries; (e) the name and address of the auditor of the company; and
(f) such other matters relating to the accounts of the company and to the
unclaimed moneys held by the company as are prescribed. (7) If a company
fails to comply with this section, the company and every officer of the
company who is in default shall be guilty of an offence against this Act.
Penalty: *Two thousand ringgit. Default penalty. Auditor’s statements 165A.
(1) A company that is not required by this Act to lodge accounts with the
Registrar shall include in or attach to its annual return under section 165
a statement relating to the accounts of the company required to be laid
before the company at its annual general meeting held on the date to which
the return is made up or if an annual general meeting is not held on that
date, the annual general meeting last preceding that date, signed by the
auditor of the company— (a) stating whether the company has in his opinion
kept proper accounting records and other books during the period covered by
those accounts;
*NOTE—Previously “five hundred ringgit”–see Companies (Amendment) Act 1986
[Act A657].
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(b) stating whether the accounts have been audited in accordance with this
Act; (c) stating whether the auditor’s report on the accounts was made
subject to any qualification, or included any comment made under subsection
174(3), and, if so, particulars of the qualification or comment; and (d)
stating whether as at the date to which the profit and loss account has
been made up, the company appeared to have been able to meet its
liabilities as and when they fall due. (2) If a company fails to comply
with this section, the company and every officer of the company who is in
default shall be guilty of an offence against this Act. Exemption from
filing list of members with annual return for certain public companies 166.
(1) A public company which— (a) has more than five hundred members; and (b)
provides reasonable accommodation and facilities for persons to inspect and
take copies of its list of members and its particulars of shares
transferred, need not comply with such of the provisions of this Division
and the Eighth Schedule as relate to the inclusion in the annual return of
a list of members if there is included in the annual return— (A) a
certificate by the secretary that the company is of a kind to which this
subsection applies; and (B) a list showing the prescribed particulars of
the twenty largest holders of each class of equity shares. (2) The Minister
may, by notice published in the Gazette require any company to which
subsection (1) applies to comply with all or any of the provisions of this
Division or of the Eighth Schedule referred to in subsection (1). (3) If
default is made in complying with the notice given under subsection (2),
the company and every officer of the company who is in default shall be
guilty of an offence against this Act. Penalty: *Two thousand ringgit.
Default penalty.
*NOTE—Previously “five hundred ringgit”–see Companies (Amendment) Act 1986
[Act A657].
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Compliance with approved accounting standards 166A. (1) In this Part unless
the contrary intention appears, “approved accounting standards” shall have
the meaning assigned thereto in section 2 of the Financial Reporting Act
1997 [Act 558]. (2) The approved accounting standards shall apply to the
accounts of a company or the consolidated accounts of a holding company if,
at the time when the accounts or consolidated accounts are made out, the
approved accounting standards— (a) apply in relation to the financial year
of the company or the holding company to which the accounts or consolidated
accounts relate; and (b) are relevant to those accounts or consolidated
accounts. (3) Without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of this
Division, the directors of a company shall ensure that the accounts of the
company and, if the company is a holding company for which consolidated
accounts are required, the consolidated accounts of the company, laid
before the company at its annual general meeting are made out in accordance
with the applicable approved accounting standards. (4) Notwithstanding
subsection (3), the directors of a company or holding company shall not be
required to ensure that the accounts or consolidated accounts, as the case
may be, are made out in accordance with a particular approved accounting
standard if they are of the opinion that making out the accounts or
consolidated accounts in accordance with the approved accounting standard
would not give a true and fair view of the matters required by section 169
to be dealt with in the accounts or consolidated accounts or a true and
fair view of the results of the business and the state of affairs of the
company and, if applicable, of all the companies the affairs of which are
dealt with in the consolidated accounts.
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(5) Where the accounts or consolidated accounts of a company are not made
out in accordance with a particular approved accounting standard under
subsection (4), the directors of the company shall— (a) disclose by way of
a note on the accounts their reason for not making out the accounts or
consolidated accounts in accordance with the approved accounting standard;
and (b) give particulars in the note of the quantified financial effect on
the accounts or consolidated accounts if the relevant approved accounting
standard was complied with. (6) Notwithstanding subsection 169(14), where
any conflict or inconsistency arises between the provisions of an
applicable approved accounting standard and a provision in the Ninth
Schedule in their respective applications to the accounts or consolidated
accounts of a company, the provisions of the applicable approved accounting
standard shall prevail. Accounts to be kept 167. (1) Every company and the
directors and managers thereof shall cause to be kept such accounting and
other records as will sufficiently explain the transactions and financial
position of the company and enable true and fair profit and loss accounts
and balance sheets and any documents required to be attached thereto to be
prepared from time to time, and shall cause those records to be kept in
such manner as to enable them to be conveniently and properly audited. (1A)
Every company and the directors and managers thereof shall cause
appropriate entries to be made in the accounting and other records within
sixty days of the completion of the transactions to which they relate. (2)
The company shall retain the records referred to in subsection (1) for
seven years after the completion of the transactions or operations to which
they respectively relate. (3) The records referred to in subsection (1)
shall be kept at the registered office of the company or at such other
place in Malaysia as the directors think fit and shall at all times be open
to inspection by the directors.
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(2) Where the financial year of a holding company that is not a foreign
company and that of each of its subsidiaries coincide, the directors of the
holding company shall at all times take such steps as are necessary to
ensure that without the consent of the Registrar the financial year of the
holding company or any of its subsidiaries is not altered so that all such
financial years do not coincide. (3) Where the directors of the holding
company are of the opinion that there is good reason why the financial year
of any of its subsidiaries should not coincide with the financial year of
the holding company, the directors may apply in writing to the Registrar
for an order authorizing any subsidiary to continue to have or to adopt (as
the case requires) a financial year which does not coincide with that of
the holding company. (4) The application shall be supported by a statement
by the directors of the holding company of their reasons for seeking the
order. (5) The Registrar may require the directors who make an application
under this section to supply such information relating to the operation of
the holding company and of any corporation that is deemed by virtue of
section 6 to be related to the holding company as he thinks necessary for
the purpose of determining the application. (6) The Registrar may at the
expense of the holding company of which the applicants are directors
request any approved company auditor to investigate and report on the
application. (7) The Registrar may rely upon any report obtained pursuant
to subsection (6) from the approved company auditor. (8) The Registrar may
make on order granting or refusing the application or granting the
application subject to such limitations, terms or conditions as he thinks
fit and shall serve the order on the holding company. (9) Where the
applicants are aggrieved by any order made by the Registrar, the applicants
may, within two months after the service of the order upon the holding
company, appeal against the order to the Minister.
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(10) The Minister shall determine the appeal and in determining the appeal
may make any order that the Registrar had power to make on the original
application and may exercise any of the powers that the Registrar might
have exercised in relation to the original application. (11) Where the
directors of a holding company have applied to the Registrar for an order
authorizing any subsidiary to continue to have a financial year which does
not coincide with that of the holding company, the operation of subsection
(1) shall be suspended in relation to that subsidiary until the
determination of the application and of any appeal arising out of the
application. (12) Where an order is made authorizing any subsidiary to have
a financial year which does not coincide with that of the holding company,
compliance with the terms of the order of the Registrar or where there has
been an appeal, compliance with the terms of any order made on the
determination of the appeal shall be deemed to be a compliance with
subsection (1) in relation to that subsidiary, but where an application for
such an order and the appeal, if any, arising out of that application are
refused the time within which the directors of the holding company are
required to comply with subsection (1) in relation to that subsidiary shall
be deemed to be the period of twelwe months after the date upon which the
order of the Registrar is served on the holding company or the period of
twelwe months after the determination of the appeal, as the case may be.
(13) Where the directors of a holding company have applied to the Registrar
for an order authorizing any of its subsidiaries to continue to have or to
adopt a financial year which does not coincide with that of the holding
company and the application and the appeal, if any, arising out of that
application, have been refused, the directors of the holding company shall
not make a similar application with respect to that subsidiary within three
years after the refusal of the application or where there is an appeal,
after the determination of that appeal unless the Registrar is satisfied
that there has been a substantial change in the relevant facts or
circumstances since the refusal of the former application or the
determination of the appeal, as the case may be.
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Profit and loss account, balance sheet and directors’ report 169. (1) The
directors of every company shall, at some date not later than eighteen
months after the incorporation of the company and subsequently once at
least in every calender year at intervals of not more than fifteen months,
lay before the company at its annual general meeting a profit and loss
account for the period since the preceding account (or in the case of the
first account, since the incorporation of the company) made up to a date
not more than six months before the date of the meeting. (2)
Notwithstanding subsection (1) the Registrar on application by the company,
if for any special reason he thinks fit so to do, may extend the periods of
eighteen months and fifteen months referred to in that subsection and with
respect to any year extend the period of six months referred to in that
subsection, notwithstanding that period is so extended beyond the calender
year. (3) The directors of every company shall cause to be made out, and to
be laid before the company at its annual general meeting with the profit
and loss account required by subsection (1) a balance sheet as at the date
to which the profit and loss account is made up. (4) The profit and loss
account and the balance sheet of a company shall be duly audited before
they are laid before the company at its annual general meeting as required
by this section. (5) The directors of a company shall cause to be attached
to every balance sheet made out under subsection (3) a report made in
accordance with a resolution of the directors and signed by not less than
two of the directors with respect to the profit or loss of the company for
the financial year and the state of the company’s affairs as at the end of
the financial year and if the company is a holding company also a report
with respect to the state of affairs of the holding company and all its
subsidiaries. (6) Each report to which subsection (5) relates shall state
with appropriate details— (a) the names of the directors in office since
the date of the last report;
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(b) the principal activities of the company in the course of the financial
year and any significant change in the nature of those activities during
the period; (c) the net amount of the profit or loss of the company for the
financial year after provision for income tax; (d) the amounts and
particulars of any material transfer to or from reserves or provisions; (e)
where, during the financial year, the company has issued and shares or
debetures—the purposes of the issue, the classes of shares or debentures
issued, the number of shares of each class and the amount of debentures of
each class, and the terms of issue of the shares and debentures of each
class; (f) whether at the end of that financial year— (i) there subsist
arrangements to which the company is a party, being arrangements with the
object of enabling directors of the company to acquire benefits by means of
the acquisition of shares in, or debentures of, the company or any other
body corporate; or (ii) there have, at any time in that year, subsisted
such arrangements as aforesaid to which the company was a party, and if so
the report shall contain a statement explaining the effect of the
arrangements and giving the names of the persons who at any time in that
year were directors of the company and held, or whose nominees held, shares
or debentures acquired in pursuance of the arrangements; (g) in respect of
each person who, at the end of the financial year, was a director of the
company— (i) whether or not (according to the register kept by the company
for the purposes of section 134 relating to the obligation of a director of
a company to nofity such company of his interests in shares in, or
debentures of, the company and of every other body corporate, being the
company’s subsidiary or holding company or a subsidiary of the company’s
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holding company) he was at the end of that year, interested in shares in,
or debentures of the company or any other such body corporate and , if he
was so interested, the number and amount of shares in, and debentures of,
each body (specifying it) in which, according to that register, he was then
interested; (ii) whether or not, according to that register, he was, at the
beginning of that year (or, if he was not then a director), when he became
a director, interested in shares in, or debentures of, the company or any
other such body corporate and, if he was so interested, the number and
amount of shares in, and debentures of, each body (specifying it) in which
according to that register, he was interested at the beginning of that year
or, as the case may be, when he became a director; and (iii) the total
number of shares in or debentures of the company or any other such
corporate bought and sold by him during that financial year; (h) the
amount, if any, which the directors recommended should be paid by way of
dividend, and any amounts which have been paid or declared by way of
dividend since the end of the previous financial year, indicating which of
those amounts, if any, have been shown in a previous report under this
subsection or under a corresponding repealed provision of this Act; (i)
whether the directors (before the profit and loss account and balance sheet
were made out) took reasonable steps to ascertain what action had been
taken in relation to the writing off of bad debts and the making of
provision for doubtful debts, and satisfied themselves that all known bad
debts had been written off and that adequate provision had been made for
doubtful debts; (j) whether at the date of the report the directors are
aware of any circumstances which would render the amount written off for
bad debts or the amount of the provision for doubtful debts inadequate to
any substantial extent and, if so, giving particulars of the circumstances;
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(k) whether the directors (before the profit and loss account and balance
sheet were made out) have taken reasonable steps to ensure that any current
assets which were unlikely to be realized in the ordinary course of
business including their value as shown in the accounting records of the
company have been written down to an amount which they might be expected so
to realize; (l) whether at the date of the report the directors are aware
of any circumstances— (i) which would render the values attributed to
current assets in the accounts misleading; and (ii) which have arisen which
render adherence to the existing method of valuation of assets or
liabilities of the company misleading or inappropriate; and, if so, giving
particulars of the circumstances; (m) whether there exists at the date of
the report— (i) any charge on the assets of the company which has arisen
since the end of the financial year which secures the liabilities of any
other person and, if so, giving particulars of any such charge and, so far
as practicable, of the amount secured; and (ii) any contingent liability
which has arisen since the end of the financial year and, if so, stating
the general nature thereof and, so far as practicable, the maximum amount,
or an estimate of the maximum amount, for which the company could become
liable in respect thereof; (n) whether any contingent or other liability
has become enforceable, or likely to become enforceable, within the period
of twelwe months after the end of the financial year which, in the opinion
of the directors, will or may affect the liability of the company to meet
its obligations when they fall due and, if so, giving particulars of any
such liability; (o) whether at the date of the report the directors are
aware of any circumstances not otherwise dealt with in the report or
accounts which would render any amount stated in the accounts misleading
and, if so, giving particulars of the circumstances;
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(p) whether the results of the company’s operations during the financial
year were, in the opinion of the directors, substantially affected by any
item, transaction or event of a material and unusual nature and, if so,
giving particulars of that item, transaction or event and the amount or the
effect thereof, if known or reasonably ascertainable; and (q) whether there
has arisen in the interval between the end of the financial year and the
date report any item, transaction or event of a material and unusual nature
likely, in the opinion of the directors, to affect substantially the
results of the company’s operations for the financial year in which the
report is made and, if so, giving particulars of the item, transaction or
event. (7) In subsection (6) of this section, the expression “any item,
transaction or event of a material and unusual nature” includes but is not
limited to— (a) any change in accounting policies adopted since the last
report; (b) any material change in the method of valuation of the whole or
any part of the trading stock; (c) any material item appearing in the
accounts or consolidated accounts for the first time or not usually
included in the accounts or consolidated accounts; and (d) any absence from
the accounts or consolidated accounts of any material item usually included
in the accounts or consolidated accounts. (8) The directors of a company
shall state in the report whether a director of the company has since the
end of the previous financial year received or become entitled to receive a
benefit (other than a benefit included in the aggregate amount of
emoluments received or due and receivable by the directors shown in the
accounts or the fixed salary of a full-time employee of the company) by
reason of a contract made by the company or a related corporation with the
director or with a firm of which he is a member, or with a company in which
he has a substantial financial interest, and, if so, the general nature of
the benefit.
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date of expiration of the option and the rights, if any, of the persons to
whom the options have been granted to participate by virtue of the options
in any share issue of any other company; (c) (Deleted by Act A616). (13)
Paragraph (11)(a) shall not apply in any case where the option to take up
shares of the company has been conferred generally on all the holders of a
class of shares or debentures of the company. (14) Every balance sheet
referred to in subsection (3) shall give a true and fair view of the state
of affairs of the company as at the end of the period to which it relates
and every profit and loss account referred to in subsection (1) shall give
a true and fair view of the profit or loss of the company for the period of
accounting as shown in the accounting and other records of the company, and
without affecting the generality of the foregoing, every such balance sheet
and profit and loss account shall comply with the requirements of the Ninth
Schedule so far as applicable thereto. (15) The directors of a company
shall cause to be attached to every balance sheet and profit and loss
account laid before the company in general meeting (including any
consolidated balance sheet and consolidated profit and loss account of a
holding company) a statement made in accordance with a resolution of the
directors and signed by at least two directors stating whether, in the
opinion of the directors— (a) the profit and loss account and, where
applicable, the consolidated profit and loss account, is or are drawn up so
as to give a true and fair view of the results of the business of the
company and, if applicable, of all the companies the accounts of which are
dealt with in the consolidated profit and loss account for the period
covered by the account; (b) the balance sheet, and where applicable the
consolidated balance sheet, is or are drawn up so as to give a true and
fair view of the state of affairs of the company and, if applicable, of all
the companies the affairs of which are dealt with in the consolidated
balance sheet as at the end of that period; and
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(c) the accounts, and where applicable the consolidated accounts, have been
made out in accordance with the applicable approved accounting standards.
(16) Every balance sheet and profit and loss account of a company laid
before the company in general meeting (including any consolidated balance
sheet and consolidated profit and loss account annexed to the balance sheet
and profit and loss account of a holding company) shall be accompanied by a
statutory declaration by a director or where that director is not primarily
responsible for the financial management of the company by the person so
responsible setting forth his opinion as to the correctness or otherwise of
the balance sheet and profit and loss account and, where applicable, the
consolidated balance sheet and consolidated profit and loss account. (17)
Any document (other than a balance sheet prepared in accordance with this
Act) or advertisement published issued or circulated by or on behalf of a
company (other than a banking corporation) shall not contain any direct or
indirect representation that the company has any reserve unless the
representation is accompanied— (a) if the reserve is invested outside the
business of the company—by a statement showing the manner in which and the
security upon which it is invested; or (b) if the reserve is being used in
the business of the company— by a statement to the effect that the reserve
is being so used. (18) To the extent that any company registered under any
written law relating to insurance is required to prepare balance sheets,
revenue accounts and profit and loss accounts in the form prescribed by
that law, the company shall be deemed to have complied with the
requirements of subsections (5) to (17) and the Ninth Schedule if its
balance sheet and profit and loss account is made out in accordance with
that law but if the company carries on business other than insurance
business so far as that law does not require the company to deal with any
matters which are required to be dealt with under the Ninth Schedule, it
shall be necessary for the company to comply with this section and the
Ninth Schedule. (19) The provisions of this Act relating to the form and
content of the report of the directors and the annual balance sheet and
profit and loss account shall apply to a banking corporation and
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(4) The Registrar may make an order under subsection (1) which may be
limited to a specific period and may from time to time either on
application by the directors or without any such application (in which case
the Registrar shall give to the directors an opportunity of being heard)
revoke or suspend the operation of any such order. Power of Registrar to
require a statement of valuation of assets 169B. (1) The Registrar may,
with notice in writing, require the directors of any company to supply a
statement of valuation at current value of assets and liabilities of the
company within the time specified in the notice. (2) The Registrar may, on
the application of the company and in his absolute discretion, extend the
period of time so specified in the notice referred to in subsection (1).
Members of company entitled to balance sheet, etc. 170. (1) A copy of every
profit and loss account and balance sheet (including every document
required by law to be attached thereto) which is to be laid before company
in general meeting accompanied by a copy of the auditor’s report thereon
shall, not less than fourteen days before the date of the meeting, be sent
to all persons entitled to receive notice of general notice of general
meeting of the company: Provided that if the copies of the documents
aforesaid are sent less than fourteen days before the date of the meeting,
they shall, notwithstanding that fact, be deemed to have been duly sent if
it is so agreed by all the members entitled to attend and vote at the
meeting. (2) Any member of a company (whether he is or is not entitled to
have sent to him copies of the profit and loss accounts and balance sheets)
to whom copies have not been sent and any holder of a debenture shall, on a
request being made by him to the company, be furnished by the company
without charge with a copy of the last profit and loss account and balance
sheet of the company (including every document required by this Act to be
attached thereto) together with a copy of the auditor’s report thereon.
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(3) If default is made in complying with subsection (1) or (2) the company
and every officer of the company who is in default shall be guilty of an
offence against this Act, unless it is proved that the member or holder of
a debenture in question has already made a request for and been furnished
for and been furnished with a copy of the document. Penalty: Two thousand
five hundred ringgit. Default penalty. Penalty 171. (1) If any director of
a company fails to comply or to take all reasonable steps to secure
compliance by the company with the foregoing provisions of this Division or
has by his own wilful act been the cause of any default by the company
thereunder, he shall be guilty of an offence against this Act. Penalty:
Imprisonment for *five years or thirty thousand ringgit. (2) (Deleted by
Act A616). (3) A person shall not be sentenced to imprisonment for any
offence under this section unless in the opinion of the Court dealing with
the case the offence was committed wilfully.
DIVISION 2 AUDIT
Appointment and remuneration of auditors 172. (1) At any time before the
first annual general meeting of a company, the directors of the company may
appoint, or (if the directors do not make an appointment) the company at a
general meeting may appoint, a person to be the auditor of the company, and
any auditor so appointed shall, subject to this section, hold office until
the conclusion of the first annual general meeting. (2) A company shall at
each annual general meeting of the company appoint a person to be the
auditor of the company, and any auditors so appointed shall, subject to
this section, hold office until the conclusion of the next annual general
meeting of the company.
*NOTE—Previously “two years or five thousand ringgit”–see Companies
(Amendment) Act 1986 [Act A657].
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(3) Subject to subsections (7) and (8), the directors of a company may
appoint an approved company auditor to fill any casual vacancy in the
office of auditor of the company, but while such a vacancy continues the
surviving or continuing auditor, if any, may act. (4) An auditor of a
company may be removed from office by resolution of the company at a
general meeting of which special notice has been given, but not otherwise.
(5) Where special notice of a resolution to remove an auditor is received
by a company— (a) it shall forthwith send a copy of the notice to the
auditor concerned and to the Registrar; and (b) the auditor may, within
seven days after the receipt by him of the copy of the notice make
representations in writing to the company (not exceeding a reasonable
length) and request that, prior to the meeting at which the resolution is
to be considered, a copy of the representations be sent by the company to
every member of the company to whom notice of the meeting is sent. (6)
Unless the Registrar on the application of the company otherwise orders,
the company shall send a copy of the representations as so requested and
the auditor may (without prejudice to his right to be heard orally) require
that the representations be read out at the meeting. (7) Where an auditor
of a company is removed from office in pursuance of subsection (4) at a
general meeting of the company— (a) the company may, at the meeting, by a
resolution passed by a majority of not less than three-fourths of such
members of the company as being entitled so to do vote in person or, where
proxies are allowed, by proxy forthwith appoint another person nominated at
the meeting as auditor; or (b) the meeting may be adjourned to a date not
earlier than twenty days and not later than thirty days after the meeting
and the company may, by ordinary resolution, appoint another person as
auditor, being a person notice of whose nomination as auditor has, at least
ten days before the resumption of the adjourned meeting, been received by
the company.
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(8) A company shall, forthwith after the removal of an auditor from office
in pursuance of subsection (4), give notice in writing of the removal to
the Registrar and, if the company does not appoint another auditor under
subsection (7), the Registrar shall appoint an auditor. (9) An auditor
appointed in pursuance of subsection (7) or (8) shall, subject to this
section, hold office until the conclusion of the next annual general
meeting of the company. (10) If a company does not appoint an auditor as
required by this section, the Registrar may on the application in writing
of any member of the company make the appointment. (11) Subject to
subsection (7), a person shall not be capable of being appointed auditor of
a company at an annual general unless he held office as auditor of the
company immediately before the meeting or notice of his nomination as
auditor was given to the company by a member of the company not less than
twenty-one days before the meeting. (12) Where notice of nomination of a
person as an auditor of a company is received by the company whether for
appointment at an adjourned meeting under subsection (7) or at an annual
general meeting, the company shall, not less than seven days before the
adjourned meeting or the annual general meeting, send a copy of the notice
to the person nominated, to each auditor, if any, of the company and to
each person entitled to receive notice of general meetings of the company.
(13) If, after notice of nomination of a person as an auditor of a company
has been given to the company, the annual general meeting of the company is
called for a date twenty-one days or less after the notice has been given,
subsection (11) shall not apply in relation to the person and, if the
annual general meeting is called for a date not more than seven days after
the notice has been given and a copy of the notice is, at the time notice
of the meeting is given, sent to each person to whom, under subsection
(12), it is required to be sent, the company shall be deemed to have
complied with that subsection in relation to the notice.
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(14) An auditor of a company may resign— (a) if he is not the sole auditor
of the company; or (b) at a general meeting of the company, but not
otherwise. (15) If an auditor gives notice in writing to the directors of
the company that he desires to resign, the directors shall call a general
meeting of the company as soon as is practicable for the purpose of
appointing an auditor in place of the auditor who desires to resign and on
the appointment of another auditor the resignation shall take effect. (16)
The fees and expenses of an auditor of a company— (a) in the case of an
auditor appointed by the company at a general meeting—shall be fixed by the
company in general meeting or, if so authorized by the members at the last
preceding annual general meeting, by the directors; and (b) in the case of
an auditor appointed by the directors or by the Registrar—may be fixed by
the directors or by the Registrar, as the case may be and, if not so fixed,
shall be fixed as provided in paragraph (a) as if the auditor had been
appointed by the company. Auditors’ remuneration 173. (1) If a company is
served with a notice sent by or on behalf of— (a) at least five per centum
of the total number of members of the company; or (b) the holders in
aggregate of not less than five per centum in nominal value of the
company’s issued share capital, requiring particulars of all emoluments
paid to or receivable by the auditor of the company or any person who is a
partner or employer or employee of the auditor, by or from the company or
any subsidiary in respect of services other than auditing services rendered
to the company, the company shall forthwith— (c) prepare or cause to be
prepared a statement showing particulars of all emoluments paid to the
auditor or other person and of the services in respect of which the
payments have been made for the financial year immediately preceding the
service of the notice;
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(2) A person shall not, in the absence of malice on his part, be liable to
any action for defamation at the suit of any person in respect of the
publication of any document prepared by an auditor in the course of his
duties and required by or under this Act to be lodged with the Registrar.
(3) This section does not limit or affect any other right, privilege or
immunity that an auditor or other person has as defendant in an action for
defamation. Duties of auditors to trustee for debenture holders 175. (1)
The auditor of a borrowing corporation shall within seven days after
furnishing the corporation with any balance sheet or profit and loss
account or any report certificate or other document which he is required by
this Act or by the debentures or trust deed to give to the corporation,
send by post to every trustee for the holders of debentures of the
borrowing corporation a copy thereof. (2) Where in the performance of his
duties as auditor of a borrowing corporation the auditor becomes aware of
any matter which is in his opinion relevant to the exercise and performance
of the powers and duties imposed by this Act or by any trust deed upon any
trustee for the holders of debentures of the corporation he shall, within
seven days after so becoming aware of the matter, send by post a report in
writing on the matter to the borrowing corporation and a copy thereof to
the trustee. Penalty: *One thousand ringgit. Default penalty. PART VII
ARRANGEMENT AND RECONSTRUCTIONS
Power to compromise with creditors and members 176. (1) Where a compromise
or arrangement is proposed between a company and its creditors or any class
of them or between the company and its members or any class of them the
Court may, on the application in a summary way of the company or of any
creditor or member of the company, or in the case of a company being wound
up of the liquidator, order a meeting of the creditors or class of
creditors or of the members of the company or class of members to be
summoned in such manner as the Court directs.
*NOTE—Previously “two hundred and fifty ringgit”–see Companies (Amendment)
Act 1986 [Act A657].
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(2) A meeting held pursuant to an order of the Court made under subsection
(1) may be adjourned from time to time if the resolution for adjournment is
approved by a majority in number representing three-fourths in value of the
creditors or class of creditors or members or class of members present and
voting either in person or by proxy at the meeting. (3) If a majority in
number representing three-fourths in value of the creditors or class of
creditors or members or class of members present and voting either in
person or by proxy at the meeting or the adjourned meeting agrees to any
compromise or arrangement the compromise or arrangement shall, if approved
by order of the Court, be binding on all the creditors or class of
creditors or on the members or class of members, as the case may be, and
also on the company or, in the case of a company in the course of being
wound up, on the liquidator and contributories of the company. (4) The
Court may grant its approval to a compromise or arrangement subject to such
alterations or conditions as it thinks just. (5) An order under subsection
(3) shall have no effect until an office copy of the order is lodged with
the Registrar, and upon being so lodged, the order shall take effect on and
from the date of lodgment or such earlier date as the Court may determine
and as may be specified in the order. (6) Subject to subsection (7), a copy
of every order made under subsection (3) shall be annexed to every copy of
the memorandum of the company issued after the order has been made, or, in
the case of a company not having a memorandum, to every copy so issued of
the instrument constituting or defining the constitution of the company.
(7) The Court may, by order, exempt a company from compliance with the
requirements of subsection (6) or determine the period during which the
company shall so comply. (8) Where any such compromise or arrangement
(whether or not for the purposes of or in connection with a scheme for the
reconstruction of any company or companies or the amalgamation
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of any two or more companies) has been proposed, the directors of the
company shall— (a) if a meeting of the members of the company by resolution
so directs, instruct such accountants or advocates or both as are named in
the resolution to report on the proposals and forward their report to the
directors as soon as may be; and (b) make the report available at the
registered office of the company for inspection by the shareholders and
creditors of the company at least seven days before the date of any meeting
ordered by the Court to be summoned as provided in subsection (1). (9)
Every company which makes default in complying with subsection (6) or (8)
and every officer of the company who is in default shall be guilty of an
offence against this Act. Penalty: *Two thousand ringgit. Power of Court to
restrain proceedings (10) Where no order has been made or resolution passed
for the winding up of a company and any such compromise or arrangement has
been proposed between the company and its creditors or any class of those
creditors, the Court may. in addition to any of its powers, on the
application in a summary way of the company or of any member or creditor of
the company restrain further proceedings in any action or proceeding
against the company except by leave of the Court and subject to such terms
as the Court imposes. (10A) The Court may grant a restraining order under
subsection (10) to a company for a period of not more than ninety days or
such longer period as the Court may for good reason allow if and only if—
(a) it is satisfied that there is a proposal for a scheme of compromise or
arrangement between the company and its creditors or any class of creditors
representing at least one-half in value of all the creditors; (b) the
restraining order is necessary to enable the company and its creditors to
formalize the scheme of compromise or arrangement for the approval of the
creditors or members pursuant to subsection (1);
*NOTE—Previously “five hundred ringgit”–see Companies (Amendment) Act 1986
[Act A657].
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(10F) An order made by the Court under subsection (10) shall not have the
effect of restraining further proceedings in any action or proceeding
against any person other than the company that had applied for the
restraining order. (10G) For the purpose of subsection (10F) , the term
“any person” includes a guarantor of the company. Interpretation (11) In
this section— “arrangement” includes a reorganization of the share capital
of a company by the consolidation of shares of different classes or by the
division of shares into shares of different classes or by both these
methods; “company” means any corporation or society liable to be wound up
under this Act. Information as to compromise with creditors and members
177. (1) Where a meeting is summoned under section 176 there shall— (a)
with every notice summoning the meeting which is sent to a creditor or
member, be sent also a statement explaining the effect of the compromise or
arrangement and in particular stating any material interests of the
directors, whether as directors or as members or as creditors of the
company or otherwise, and the effect thereon of the compromise or
arrangement so far as it is different from the effect on the like interests
of other persons; and (b) in every notice summoning the meeting which is
given by advertisement, be included either such a statement or a
notification of the place at which and the manner in which creditors or
members entitled to attend the meeting may obtain copies of such a
statement. (2) Where the compromise or arrangement affects the rights of
debenture holders, the statement shall give the like explanation with
respect to the trustee for the debenture holders as, under subsection (1),
a statement is required to give with respect to the directors.
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(5) An office copy of any order made under this section shall be lodged by
the applicant with the Registrar within fourteen days after the making of
the order. Penalty: *One thousand ringgit. Default penalty. PART VIII
RECEIVERS AND MANAGERS
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(4) The Court may from time to time, on an application made either by the
liquidator or by the receiver or manager, vary or amend an order made under
this section. Appointment of liquidator as receiver 185. Where an
application is made to the Court to appoint a receiver on behalf of the
debenture holders or other creditors of the company which is being wound up
by the Court, the liquidator may be so appointed. Notification of
appointment of receiver 186. (1) If any person obtains an order for the
appointment of a receiver or manager of the property of a company or of the
property within Malaysia of any other corporation, or appoints such a
receiver or manager under any powers contained in any instrument, he shall,
within seven days after he has obtained the order or made the appointment,
lodge notice of the fact with the Registrar. (2) Where any person appointed
receiver or manager of the property of a company or other corporation under
the powers contained in any instrument ceases to act as such he shall,
within seven days thereafter lodge with the Registrar notice to that
effect. (3) Every person who makes default in complying with the
requirements of this section shall be guilty of an offence against this
Act. Penalty : *One thousand ringgit. Default penalty. Statement that
receiver appointed 187. (1) Where a receiver or manager of the property of
a corporation has been appointed, every invoice, order for goods or
business letter issued by or on behalf of the corporation or the receiver
or manager or the liquidator of the corporation, being a document on or in
which the name of the corporation appears, shall contain a statement
immediately following the name of the corporation that a receiver or
manager has been appointed.
*NOTE—Previously “two hundred and fifty ringgit”–see Companies (Amendment)
Act 1986 [Act A657].
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(2) If default is made in complying with this section the corporation and
every officer and every liquidator of the corporation and every receiver or
manager who knowingly and wilfully authorizes or permits the default shall
be guilty of an offence against this Act. Provisions as to information
where receiver or manager appointed 188. (1) Where a receiver or manager of
the property of a company (in this section and in section 189 called “the
receiver”), is appointed— (a) the receiver shall forthwith send notice to
the company of his appointment; (b) there shall, within fourteen days after
receipt of the notice, or such longer period as may be allowed by the Court
or by the receiver, be made out and submitted to the receiver in accordance
with section 189 a statement in the prescribed form as to the affairs of
the company; and (c) the receiver shall within one month after receipt of
the statement— (i) lodge with the Registrar, a copy of the statement and of
any comments he sees fit to make thereon; (ii) send to the company, a copy
of any such comments as aforesaid, or if he does not see fit to make any
comment, a notice to that effect; and (iii) where the receiver is appointed
by or on behalf of the holders of debentures of the company send to the
trustees, if any, for those holders, a copy of the statement and his
comments thereon. (2) Subsection (1) shall not apply in relation to the
appointment of a receiver or manager to act with an existing receiver or
manager or in place of a receiver or manager dying or ceasing to act,
except that, where that subsection applies to a receiver or manager who
dies or ceases to act before that subsection has been fully complied with,
the references in paragraphs (b) and (c) thereof to the receiver shall
(subject to subsection (3)) include references to his successor and to any
continuing receiver or manager. (3) Where the company is being wound up
this section and section 189 shall apply notwithstanding that the receiver
or manager and the liquidator are the same person, but with any necessary
modifications arising from that fact.
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(4) If any person makes default in complying with any of the requirements
of this section, he shall be guilty of an offence against this Act.
Penalty: *Two thousand ringgit. Default penalty. Special provisions as to
statement submitted to receiver 189. (1) The statement as to the affairs of
a company required by section 188 to be submitted to the receiver shall
show as at the date of the receiver’s appointment the particulars of the
company’s assets, debts and liabilities, the names and addresses of its
creditors, the securities held by them respectively, the dates when the
securities were respectively given and such further or other information as
may be prescribed. (2) The statement shall be submitted by, and be verified
by affidavit of, one or more of the persons who were at the date of the
receiver’s appointment the directors of the company and by the person who
was at that date the secretary of the company, or by such of the persons
hereafter in this subsection mentioned as the receiver may require to
submit and verify the statement, that is to say— (a) persons who are or
have been officers; (b) persons who have taken part in the formation of the
company at any time within one year before the date of the receiver’s
appointment; (c) persons who are in the employment of the company, or have
been in the employment of the company within that year, and are in the
opinion of the receiver capable of giving the information required; (d)
persons who are or have been within that year officers of or in the
employment of a corporation which is, or within that year was, an officer
of the company to which the statement relates. (3) Any person making the
statement and affidavit shall be allowed and shall be paid by the receiver
(or his successor) out of his receipts, such costs and expenses incurred in
and about the preparation and making of the statement and affidavit as the
receiver (or his successor) may consider reasonable, subject to an appeal
to the Court.
*NOTE—Previously “Five hundred ringgit”–see Companies (Amendment) Act 1986
[Act A657].
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(4) If any person makes default in complying with the requirements of this
section, he shall be guilty of an offence against this Act. Penalty: *One
thousand ringgit. Default penalty. (5) References in this section to the
receiver’s successor shall include a continuing receiver or manager.
Lodging of accounts of receivers and managers 190. (1) Every receiver or
manager of the property of a company or of the property within Malaysia of
any other corporation shall— (a) within one month after the expiration of
the period of six months from the date of his appointment and of every
subsequent period of six months and within one month after he ceases to act
as receiver or manager, lodge with the Registrar a detailed account in the
prescribed form showing— (i) his receipts and his payments during each
period of six months, or, where he ceases to act as receiver or manager,
during the period from the end of the period to which the last preceding
account related or from the date of his appointment, as the case may be, up
to the date of his so ceasing; (ii) the aggregate amount of those receipts
and payments during all preceding periods since his appointment; and (iii)
where he has been appointed pursuant to the powers contained in any
instrument, the amount owing under that instrument at the time of his
appointment, in the case of the first account, and at the expiration of
every six months after his appointment and, where he has ceased to act as
receiver or manager at the date of his so ceasing, and his estimate of the
total value of all assets of the company or other corporation which are
subject to that instrument; and (b) before lodging the account, verify by
affidavit all accounts and statements referred to therein.
*NOTE—Previously “two hundred and fifty ringgit”–see Companies (Amendment)
Act 1986 [Act A657].
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(2) The Registrar may of his own motion or on the application of the
company or other corporation or a creditor cause the accounts to be audited
by an approved company auditor appointed by the Registrar and for the
purpose of the audit the receiver or manager shall furnish the auditor with
such vouchers and information as he requires and the auditor may at any
time require the production of and inspect any books of account kept by the
receiver or manager or any document or other records relating thereto. (3)
Where the Registrar causes the accounts to be audited upon the request of
the company or other corporation or a creditor he may require the applicant
to give security for the payment of the cost of the audit. (4) The costs of
an audit under subsection (2) shall be fixed by the Registrar and be paid
by the Receiver unless the Registrar otherwise determines. (5) Every
receiver or manager who makes default in complying with this section shall
be guilty of an offence against this Act. Penalty: *One thousand ringgit.
Default penalty. Payments of certain debts out of assets subject to
floating charge in priority to claims under charge 191. (1) Where a
receiver is appointed on behalf of the holders of any debentures of a
company secured by a floating charge or possession is taken by or on behalf
of debenture holders of any property comprised in or subject to a floating
charge, then if the company is not at the time in the course of being wound
up, debts which in every winding-up are preferential debts and are due by
way of wages, salary, vacation leave or superannuation or provident fund
payments and any amount which in a winding up is payable in pursuance of
subsection 292(3) or (5) shall be paid out of any assets coming to the
hands of the receiver or other person taking possession in priority to any
claim for principal or interest in respect of the debentures and shall be
paid in the same order of priority as is prescribed by that section in
respect of those debts and amounts. (2) For the purposes of subsection (1)
the references in paragraphs 292(1)(b), (c), (d) and (e) to the
commencement of the winding up shall be read as a reference to the date of
the appointment of the receiver or of possession being taken as aforesaid
(as the case requires).
*NOTE—Previously “two hundred and fifty ringgit”–see Companies (Amendment)
Act 1986 [Act A657].
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(3) Any payments made under this section shall be recouped as far as may be
out of the assets of the company available for payment of general
creditors. Enforcement of duty of receiver, etc., to make returns 192. (1)
If any receiver or manager of the property of a company who has made
default in making or lodging any return, account or other document or in
giving any notice required by law fails to make good the default within
fourteen days after the service on him by any member or creditor of the
company or trustee for debenture holders of a notice requiring him to do so
the Court may, on an application made for the purpose by the person who has
given the notice, make an order directing him to make good the default
within such time as is specified in the order. (2) If it appears that any
receiver or manager of the property of a company has misapplied or retained
or become liable or accountable for any money or property of the company or
being guilty of any misfeasance or breach of trust or duty in relation to
the company, the Court may, on the application of any creditor or
contributory or of the liquidator, examine into the conduct of the receiver
or manager and compel him to repay or restore the money or property or any
part thereof with interest at such rate as the Court thinks just or to
contribute such sum to the assets of the company by way of compensation in
respect of the misapplication, retainer, misfeasance or breach of trust or
duty as the Court thinks just. (3) This section shall have effect
notwithstanding that the offence is one for which the offender is
criminally liable. PART IX
INVESTIGATIONS
Application of Part 193. This Part does not authorize any investigation
into the insurance business of a company or into the business of a banking
corporation unless specifically provided for in this Part.
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In this Part, unless the contrary intention appears— (a) the promotion,
formation, membership, control, trading, dealings, business and property of
the company; (b) the ownership of shares in, debentures of and interests
issued by, the company; (c) the ascertainment of the persons who are or
have been financially interested in the success or failure or apparent
success or failure of the company or are or have been able to control or
materially to influence the policy of the company; and (d) the
circumstances under which a person acquired or disposed of or become
entitled to acquire or dispose of shares in, debentures of or interests
issued by the company;
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195. The Minister may by order declare that a company or foreign company is
a company to which this Part applies if he is satisfied— (a) that a prima
facie case has been established that, for the protection of the public, the
holders of interests to which Division 5 of Part IV applies or the
shareholders or creditors of the company or foreign company, it is
desirable that the affairs of the company or foreign company should be
investigated under this Part; (b) that it is in the public interest that
allegations of fraud, misfeasance or other misconduct by persons who are or
have been concerned with the formation or management of the company or
foreign company should be investigated under this Part; (c) that for any
other reason it is in the public interest that the affairs of the company
or foreign company should be investigated under this Part; or (d) in the
case of a foreign company, that the appropriate authority of another
country has requested that a declaration be made pursuant to this section
in respect of the company. Appointment of inspectors for declared companies
196. (1) Where a company or foreign company has been declared to be a
company to which this Part applies, the Minister shall appoint one or more
inspectors to investigate the affairs of that company, and to report his
opinion thereon to the Minister. (2) The expenses of and incidental to an
investigation of a declared company shall be defrayed in the first instance
out of moneys provided by Parliament. (3) Where the Minister is of the
opinion that the whole or any part of the expenses of and incidental to the
investigation should be paid by the company or by any person who requested
the appointment of the inspector the Minister may by notice published in
the Gazette direct that the expenses be so paid. (4) A notice under
subsection (3) may specify the time and the manner in which the payment of
the expenses shall be made.
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(5) Where a notice has been published by the Minister under subsection (4)
the persons named in the notice to the extent therein specified shall be
liable to reimburse the Minister in respect of those expenses. (6) Action
to recover any such expenses may be taken in the name of the Government of
Malaysia in any court of competent jurisdiction. (7) Where a notice under
subsection (3) has been published for the payment of the whole or part of
the expenses by a company and the company is in liquidation or subsequently
goes into liquidation the expenses so ordered to be paid by the company
shall be deemed to be part of the costs and expenses of the winding up for
the purposes of paragraph 292(1)(a). (8) The report of the inspector may if
he thinks fit, and shall, if the Minister so directs, include a
recommendation as to the terms of the notice which he thinks proper in the
light of his investigation to be given by the Minister under subsection
(3). Investigation of affairs of company by inspectors at direction of
Minister 197. (1) The Minister may appoint one or more inspectors to
investigate the affairs of a company or such aspects of the affairs of a
company as are specified in the instrument of appointment and to report
thereon in such manner as the Minister directs— (a) in the case of a
company having a share capital, on the application of— (i) not less than
two hundred members or of members holding not less than one-tenth of the
shares issued; or (ii) holders of debentures holding not less than onefifth
in nominal value of debentures issued; or (b) in the case of a company not
having a share capital, on the application of not less than one-fifth in
number of the persons on the company’s register of members.
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in relation to its business; and the notice may require the production of
all books and documents in the custody or under the control of that officer
or agent. (4) An inspector who pursuant to this section requires the
production of all books and documents in the custody or power or under the
control of an officer or agent of any corporation whose affairs are being
investigated under or pursuant to this Part— (a) may take possession of all
the books and documents; (b) may retain all the books and documents for
such time as he considers to be necessary for the purpose of the
investigation; and (c) shall permit such corporation to have access at all
reasonable times to all the books and documents so long as they are in his
possession. (5) If any officer or agent of any corporation the affairs of
which are being investigated pursuant to this Part fails to comply with the
requirements of any notice issued under subsection (3) or fails or refuses
to answer any question which is put to him by an inspector with respect to
the affairs of the corporation, the inspector may certify the failure or
refusal under his hand to the Court, which may thereupon inquire into the
case and, after hearing any witnesses against or on behalf of the alleged
offender and any statement offered in defence, punish the offender in like
manner as if he had been guilty of contempt of court. (6) No person who is
or has formerly been an officer or agent of a corporation the affairs of
which are being investigated under this Part shall be entitled to refuse to
answer any question which is relevant or material to the investigation on
the ground that his answer might tend to incriminate him but if he claims
that the answer to any question might incriminate him and but for this
subsection he would have been entitled to refuse to answer the question,
the answer to the question shall not be used in any subsequent criminal
proceedings except in the case of a charge against him for making a false
statement in answer to that question. (7) Except as expressly provided in
subsection (6) any person shall be entitled to refuse to answer a question
on the ground that the answer might tend to incriminate him.
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(8) An inspector may cause notes of any examination under this Part to be
recorded and reduced to writing and to be read to or by and signed by the
person examined and any such signed notes may, except in the case of any
answer which that person would not have been required to give but for
subsection (6), thereafter be used in evidence in any legal proceedings
against that person. As to costs of investigation under section 197 201.
(1) The expenses of and incidental to an investigation by an inspector
appointed pursuant to section 197 (including the costs of any proceedings
brought by the Minister in the name of the company), shall be paid by the
company investigated or if the Minister so directs by the applicants or in
part by the company and in part by the applicants. (2) Notwithstanding
subsection (1)— (a) if the company fails to pay the whole or any of the sum
which it is so liable to pay, the applicants shall make good the deficiency
up to the amount by which the security given by them under this Part
exceeds the amount, if any, which they have under subsection (1) been
directed by the Minister to pay; and (b) any balance of the expenses not
paid either by the company or the applicants shall be paid out of moneys
provided by Parliament. Report of inspector to be admissible in evidence
202. A copy of the report of any inspector appointed under this Part
certified as correct by the Minister shall be admissible in any legal
proceedings as evidence of the opinion of the inspector and of the facts
upon which his opinion is based in relation to any matter contained in the
report. Powers of inspector in relation to a declared company 203. (1) An
inspector of a declared company may employ such persons as he considers
necessary and in writing authorize any such person to do anything he could
himself do, except to examine on oath or affirmation.
Companies (2) Any officer or agent of a corporation who—
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(a) refuses or fails to produce any book or document to any person who
produces a written authority of an inspector given pursuant to subsection
(1); or (b) refuses or fails to answer any question lawfully put to him by
any such person, shall be liable to be dealt with in the same manner as is
provided in subsection 200(5) for refusing or failing to comply with the
request of an inspector. Suspension of actions and proceedings by declared
company 204. (1) On and after the appointment of an inspector in respect of
any declared company until the expiration of three months after the
inspector has presented his final report to the Minister, no action or
proceeding shall without the consent of the Minister (which may be given
generally or in a particular case and which may be given subject to such
conditions and limitations as he thinks fit) be commenced or proceeded with
in any Court— (a) by the company upon or in respect of any contract, bill
of exchange or promissory note; or (b) by the holder or any other person in
respect of any bill of exchange or promissory note made, drawn or accepted
by or issued, transferred, negotiated or endorsed by or to the company
unless the holder or other person— (i) at the time of the negotiation,
transfer, issue, endorsement or delivery thereof to him gave therefor
adequate pecuniary consideration; and (ii) was not at the time of the
negotiation, transfer, issue, endorsement or delivery thereof to him or at
any time within three years before that time a member, officer, agent or
employee of the company or the wife or husband of any member, officer,
agent or employee of the company. (2) Any action or proceeding which is
commenced or proceeded with in contravention of this section shall be void
and of no effect.
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Winding up of company 205. (1) Application to the Court— (a) in the case of
a company, for the winding up of the company; or (b) in the case of a
foreign company, for the winding up so far as the assets of the company
within Malaysia are concerned of the affairs of the company, may be made on
petition of the Minister at any time after a report has been made in
respect of a declared company by an inspector whereupon this Act shall,
with such adaptations as are necessary, apply as if— (c) (in the case of a
company) a winding up petition had been duly presented to the Court by the
company; and (d) (in the case of a foreign company) a petition for an order
for the affairs of the company so far as assets within Malaysia are
concerned to be wound up within Malaysia had been duly presented to the
Court by a creditor or contributory of the company upon the liquidation of
the company in the place in which it is incorporated. (2) Where (in the
case of a foreign company) on any petition under subsection (1) an order is
made for the affairs of the company so far as assets within Malaysia are
concerned to be wound up within Malaysia the company shall not carry on
business or establish or keep a place of business within Malaysia.
Penalties 206. (1) Any person who with intent to defeat the purposes of
this Part or to delay or obstruct the carrying out of an investigation
under this Part— (a) destroys or alters any book, document or record of or
relating to a declared company; or (b) sends or attempts to send or
conspires with any other person to send out of Malaysia any such book,
document or record or any property of any description belonging to or in
the disposition or under the control of such a company, shall be guilty of
an offence against this Act. Penalty: Imprisonment for *five years or
thirty thousand ringgit.
*NOTE—Previously “two years and five thousand ringgit”–see Companies
(Amendment) Act 1986 [Act A657]
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(2) An inspector may, by notice in writing, require any person whom he has
reasonable cause to believe to be capable of giving any information in
connection with an investigation conducted under subsection (1) to appear
for examination and to give to the inspector any information in connection
with the investigation that person has or can reasonably be expected to
obtain. (3) A notice under subsection (2) may require the production of all
books and documents relevant to the investigation which are in the custody
or under the control of the person to whom the notice is addressed. (4) An
inspector who pursuant to this section requires the production of all books
and documents in the custody or power or under the control of an officer or
agent of any corporation whose affairs are being investigated under or
pursuant to this section— (a) may take possession of all such books and
documents; (b) may retain all such books and documents for such time as he
considers to be necessary for the purpose of the investigation; and (c)
shall permit the corporation to have access at all reasonable times to all
such books and documents so long as they are in his possession. (5) Any
person who fails to comply with the requirements of any notice issued under
subsection (3) or who fails to give any information required of him under
this section, or who in giving any such information makes any statement
which he knows to be false in a material particular, or recklessly makes
any statement which is false in a material particular, shall be guilty of
an offence against this Act. Penalty: Imprisonment for *three years or ten
thousand ringgit or both. (6) No person who is or has formerly been an
officer or agent of a corporation the affairs of which are being
investigated under this section shall be entitled to refuse to answer any
question which is relevant or material to the investigation on the ground
that his answer might tend to incriminate him but if he claims that the
answer to any question might incriminate him and but for this
*NOTE—Previously “twelve months or two thousand five hundred ringgit”–see
Companies (Amendment) Act 1986 [Act A657]
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(4) This section shall apply to an insurance company but nothing herein
shall, subject to the provisions of the *Insurance Act 1963 [Act 89],
require disclosure by an insurance company to the Minister of any
information as to the affairs of any of its customers other than the
corporation of which it is the insurer.
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(3) Any order of the Minister or of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong directing
that shares shall cease to be subject to the restrictions referred to in
subsection (1) which is expressed to be made with a view to permitting a
transfer of those shares may continue the application of paragraphs (1)(c)
and (d), in relation to those shares, either in whole or in part, so far as
those paragraphs relate to any right acquired or offer made before the
transfer. (4) Where any shares are for the time being subject to any
restrictions referred to in subsection (1), any person who— (a) having
knowledge that the shares are subject to any such restrictions, exercises
or purports to exercise any right to dispose of those shares, or of any
right to be issued with the shares; (b) votes in respect of those shares,
whether as holder or proxy, or appoints a proxy to vote in respect thereof;
or (c) being the holder of any of those shares, fails to notify the fact of
their being subject to those restrictions to any person whom he does not
know to be aware of that fact but does know to be entitled, apart from
those restrictions, to vote in respect of those shares whether as holder or
proxy, shall be guilty of an offence against this Act. Penalty:
Imprisonment for twelve months or two thousand five hundred ringgit or
both. (5) Where shares in any company are issued in contravention of the
restrictions imposed pursuant to subsection (1) the company and every
officer of the company who is in default shall be guilty of an offence
against this Act. Penalty: Imprisonment for *three years or ten thousand
ringgit. (6) A prosecution shall not be instituted under this section
except by or with the consent of the Minister. (7) This section shall apply
in relation to debentures as it applies in relation to shares.
*NOTE—Previously “twelve months or two thousand five hundred ringgit”–see
Companies (Amendment) Act 1986 [Act A657]
Companies Inspectors appointed in other countries 210. Where—
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(g) in the case of a company which is licensed under the Insurance Act 1996
[Act 553], Bank Negara Malaysia; (h) the Registrar on the ground specified
in paragraph 218(1)(m) or (n), or of any two or more of those parties. (2)
Notwithstanding anything in subsection (1)— (a) a person referred to in
paragraph (1)(c) may not present a petition on any of the grounds specified
in paragraph 218(a), (b), (c), (e) or (i) unless— (i) the number of members
of the company (not being a company the whole of the issued shares of which
is held by a holding company) is reduced below two; or (ii) the share in
respect of which the contributor was a contributory or some of them were
originally allotted to the contributor, or have been held by him and
registered in his name for at least six months during the eighteen months
before the presentation of the petition or have devolved on him through the
death or bankruptcy of a former holder; (b) a petition shall not, if the
ground of the petition is default in lodging the statutory report or in
holding the statutory meeting, be presented by any person except a
contributory or the Minister nor before the expiration of fourteen days
after the last day on which the meeting ought to have been held; (c) the
Court shall not hear the petition if presented by a contingent, or
prospective creditor until such security for costs has been given as the
Court thinks reasonable and a prima facie case for winding up has been
established to the satisfaction of the Court; and (d) the Court shall not,
where a company is being wound up voluntarily, make a winding up order
unless it is satisfied that the voluntary winding up cannot be continued
with due regard to the interests of the creditors or contributories.
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Circumstances in which company may be wound up by Court 218. (1) The Court
may order the winding up if— (a) the company has by special resolution
resolved that it be wound up by the Court; (b) default is made by the
company in lodging the statutory report or in holding the statutory
meeting; (c) the company does not commence business within a year from its
incorporation or suspends its business for a whole year; (d) the number of
members is reduced in the case of a company (other than a company the whole
of the issued shares in which are held by a holding company) below two; (e)
the company is unable to pay its debts; (f) the directors have acted in the
affairs of the company in their own interests rather than in the interests
of the members as a whole, or in any other manner whatsoever which appears
to be unfair or unjust to other members; (g) an inspector appointed under
Part IX has reported that he is of opinion— (i) that the company cannot pay
its debts and should be wound up; or (ii) that it is in the interests of
the public or of the shareholders or of the creditors that the company
should be wound up; (h) when the period, if any, fixed for the duration of
the company by the memorandum or articles expires or the event, if any,
occurs on the occurrence of which the memorandum or articles provide that
the company is to be dissolved; (i) the Court is of opinion that it is just
and equitable that the company be wound up; (j) the company has held a
licence under the Banking and Financial Institutions Act 1989 or the
Islamic Banking Act 1983, and that licence has been revoked or surrendered;
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(k) the company has carried on Islamic banking business, licensed business,
or scheduled business, or it has accepted, received or taken deposits in
Malaysia, in contravention of the Islamic Banking Act 1983 or the Banking
and Financial Institutions Act 1989, as the case may be; or (l) the company
has held a licence under the Insurance Act 1996 and— (i) that licence has
been revoked; (ii) Bank Negara Malaysia has petitioned for its winding up
under subsection 58(4) of the Insurance Act 1996; or (iii) an order under
paragraph 59(4)(b) of the Insurance Act 1996 has been made in respect of
it; (m) the company is being used for unlawful purposes or any purpose
prejudicial to or incompatible with peace, welfare, security, public order,
good order or morality in Malaysia; or (n) the company is being used for
any purpose prejudicial to national security or public interest. Definition
of inability to pay debts (2) A company shall be deemed to be unable to pay
its debts if— (a) a creditor by assignment or otherwise to whom the company
is indebted in a sum exceeding five hundred ringgit then due has served on
the company by leaving at the registered office a demand under his hand or
under the hand of his agent thereunto lawfully authorized requiring the
company to pay the sum so due, and the company has for three weeks
thereafter neglected to pay the sum or to secure or compound for it to the
reasonable satisfaction of the creditor; (b) execution or other process
issued on a judgment, decree or order of any court in favour of a creditor
of the company is returned unsatisfied in whole or in part; or (c) it is
proved to the satisfaction of the Court that the company is unable to pay
its debts; and in determining whether a company is unable to pay its debts
the Court shall take into account the contingent and prospective
liabilities of the company.
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221. (1) On hearing a winding up petition the Court may dismiss it with or
without costs or adjourn the hearing conditionally or unconditionally or
make any interim or other order that it thinks fit, but the Court shall not
refuse to make winding up order on the ground only that the assets of the
company have been mortgaged to an amount equal to or in excess of those
assets or that the company has no assets or in the case of a petition by a
contributory that there will be no assets available for distribution
amongst the contributories. (2) The Court may on the petition coming on for
hearing or at any time on the application of the petitioner, the company,
or any person who has given notice that he intends to appear on the hearing
of the petition— (a) direct that any notices be given or any steps taken
before or after the hearing of the petition; (b) dispense with any notices
being given or steps being taken which are required by this Act, or by the
rules, or by any prior order of the Court; (c) direct that oral evidence be
taken on the petition or any matter relating thereto; (d) direct a speedy
hearing or trial of the petition or any issue or matter; (e) allow the
petition to be amended or withdrawn; and (f) give such directions as to the
proceedings as the Court thinks fit. (3) Where the petition is presented on
the ground of default in lodging the statutory report or in holding the
statutory meeting, the Court may instead of making a winding up order,
direct that the statutory report shall be lodged or that a meeting shall be
held and may order the costs to be paid by any persons who, in the opinion
of the Court, are responsible for the default. Power to stay or restrain
proceedings against company 222. At any time after the presentation of a
winding up petition and before a winding up order has been made, the
company or any creditor or contributory may, where any action or proceeding
against
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(3) When a winding up order has been made or a provisional liquidator has
been appointed no action or proceeding shall be proceeded with or commenced
against the company except— (a) by leave of the Court; and (b) in
accordance with such terms as the Court imposes. Effect of order (4) An
order for winding up a company shall operate in favour of all the creditors
and contributories of the company as if made on the joint petition of a
creditor and of a contributory. (5) If default is made in complying with
subsection (1) or (2) the petitioner shall be guilty of an offence against
this Act. Penalty: *One thousand ringgit. Default penalty.
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(3) the Court may make any appointment and order required to give effect to
any such determination, and, if there is a difference between the
determinations of the meetings of the creditors and contributories in
respect of the matter aforesaid, the Court shall decide the difference and
make such order thereon as the Court may think fit; (4) in a case where a
liquidator is not appointed by the Court, the Official Receiver shall be
the liquidator of the company; (5) the Official Receiver shall by virtue of
his office be the liquidator during any vacancy; (6) any vacancy in the
office of a liquidator appointed by the Court may be filled by the Court;
(7) a liquidator shall be described, where a person other than the Official
Receiver is liquidator, by the style of “the liquidator”, and, where the
Official Receiver is liquidator, by the style of “the Official Receiver and
liquidator”, of the particular company in respect of which he is appointed,
and not by his individual name. Provisions where person other than Official
Receiver is appointed liquidator 228. Where in the winding up of a company
by the Court a person other than the Official Receiver is appointed
liquidator, that person— (a) shall not be capable of acting as liquidator
until he has notified his appointment to the Registrar and given security
in the prescribed manner to the satisfaction of the Official Receiver; and
(b) shall give the Official Receiver such information and such access to
and facilities for inspecting the books and documents of the company, and
generally such aid as may be requisite for enabling that officer to perform
his duties under this Act. Control of unofficial liquidators by Official
Receiver 229. (1) Where in the winding up of a company by the Court a
person other than the Official Receiver is the liquidator, the Official
Receiver shall take cognizance of his conduct and if the liquidator
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does not faithfully perform his duties and duly observe all the
requirements imposed on him by any written law or otherwise with respect to
the performance of his duties, or if any complaint is made to the Official
Receiver by any creditor or contributory in regard thereto, the Official
Receiver shall inquire into the matter, and take such action thereon as he
may think expedient. (2) The Official Receiver may at any time require any
such liquidator of a company which is being wound up by the Court to answer
any inquiry in relation to any winding up in which he is engaged, and may,
if the Official Receiver thinks fit, apply to the Court to examine him or
any other person on oath concerning the winding up. (3) The Official
Receiver may also direct a local investigation to be made of the books and
vouchers of such liquidator.
Provisional liquidator 231. The Court may appoint the Official Receiver or
an approved liquidator provisionally at any time after the presentation of
a winding up petition and before the making of a winding up order and the
provisional liquidator shall have and may exercise all the functions and
powers of a liquidator subject to such limitations and restrictions as may
be prescribed by the rules or as the Court may specify in the order
appointing him.
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(7) If more than one liquidator is appointed by the Court, the Court shall
declare whether anything by this Act required or authorized to be done by
the liquidator is to be done by all or any one or more of the persons
appointed. (8) Subject to this Act the acts of a liquidator shall be valid
notwithstanding any defects that may afterwards be discovered in his
appointment or qualification. Custody and vesting of company’s property
233. (1) Where a winding up order has been made or a provisional liquidator
has been appointed, the liquidator or provisional liquidator shall take
into his custody or under his control all the property and things in action
to which the company is or appears to be entitled. (2) The Court may, on
the application of the liquidator, by order direct that all or any part of
the property of whatsoever description belonging to the company or held by
trustees on its behalf shall vest in the liquidator and thereupon the
property to which the order relates shall vest accordingly and the
liquidator may, after giving such indemnity, if any, as the Court directs,
bring or defend any action or other legal proceeding which relates to that
property or which it is necessary to bring or defend for the purpose of
effectually winding up the company and recovering its property. (3) Where
an order is made under this section every liquidator of a company in
relation to which the order is made shall lodge within seven days of the
making of the order— (a) an office copy of the order with the Registrar;
and (b) where the order relates to land, an office copy of the order with
the appropriate authority concerned with the registration or recording of
dealings in that land, and every liquidator who makes default in complying
with this section shall be guilty of an offence against this Act. Penalty:
*Two thousand ringgit. Default penalty. (4) No vesting order referred to in
this section shall have any effect or operation in transferring or
otherwise vesting land until an appropriate entry or memorandum thereof is
made by or with the appropriate authority.
*NOTE—Previously “five hundred ringgit”–see Companies (Amendment) Act 1986
[Act A657].
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236. (1) The liquidator may with the authority either of the Court or of
the committee of inspection— (a) carry on the business of the company so
far as is necessary for the beneficial winding up thereof, but the
authority shall not be necessary to so carry on the business during the
four weeks next after the date of the winding up order; (b) subject to
section 292 pay any class of creditors in full; (c) make any compromise or
arrangement with creditors or persons claiming to be creditors or having or
alleging themselves to have any claim, present or future, certain or
contingent, ascertained or sounding only in damages against the company, or
whereby the company may be rendered liable; (d) compromise any calls and
liabilities to calls, debts and liabilities capable of resulting in debts
and any claims, present or future, certain or contingent, ascertained or
sounding only in damages subsisting or supposed to subsist between the
company and a contributory or other debtor or person apprehending liability
to the company, and all questions in any way relating to or affecting the
assets or the winding up of the company, on such terms as are agreed, and
take any security for the discharge of any such call, debt, liability or
claim, and give a complete discharge in respect thereof; and (e) appoint an
advocate to assist him in his duties. (2) The liquidator may— (a) bring or
defend any action or other legal proceeding in the name and on behalf of
the company; (b) compromise any debt due to the company other than calls
and liabilities for calls and other than a debt where the amount claimed by
the company to be due to it exceeds one thousand five hundred ringgit; (c)
sell the immovable and movable property and things in action of the company
by public auction, public tender or private contract with power to transfer
the whole thereof to any person or company or to sell the same in parcels;
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(d) do all acts and execute in the name and on behalf of the company all
deeds, receipts and other documents and for that purpose use when necessary
the company's seal; (e) prove rank and claim in the bankruptcy of any
contributory or debtor for any balance against his estate, and receive
dividends in the bankruptcy in respect of that balance as a separate debt
due from the bankrupt and rateably with the other separate creditors; (f)
draw, accept, make and indorse any bill of exchange or promissory note in
the name and on behalf of the company with the same effect with respect to
the liability of the company as if the bill or note had been drawn,
accepted, made or indorsed by or on behalf of the company in the course of
its business; (g) raise on the security of the assets of the company any
money requisite; (h) take out letters of administration of the estate of
any deceased contributory or debtor, and do any other act necessary for
obtaining payment of any money due from a contributory or debtor or his
estate which cannot be conveniently done in the name of the company, and in
all such cases the money due shall for the purposes of enabling the
liquidator to take out the letters of administration or recover the money
be deemed due to the liquidator himself; (i) appoint an agent to do any
business which the liquidator is unable to do himself; and (j) do all such
other things as are necessary for winding up the affairs of the company and
distributing its assets. (3) The exercise by the liquidator of the powers
conferred by this section shall be subject to the control of the Court, and
any creditor or contributory may apply to the Court with respect to any
exercise or proposed exercise of any of those powers. Exercise and control
of liquidator’s powers 237. (1) Subject to this Part the liquidator shall
in the administration of the assets of the company and in the distribution
thereof among its creditors have regard to any directions given by
resolution of
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(a) has realized all the property of the company or so much thereof as can
in his opinion be realized without needlessly protracting the liquidation,
and has distributed a final dividend, if any, to the creditors and adjusted
the rights of the contributories among themselves and made a final return,
if any, to the contributories; or (b) has resigned or has been removed from
his office, he may apply to the Court— (c) for an order that he be
released; or (d) for an order that he be released and that the company be
dissolved. As to orders for release or dissolution 240. (1) Where an order
is made that the company be dissolved, the company shall from the date of
the order be dissolved accordingly. (2) The Court— (a) may cause a report
on the accounts of a liquidator (not being the Official Receiver) to be
prepared by the Official Receiver or by some approved company auditor
appointed by the Court; (b) on the liquidator complying with all the
requirements of the Court, shall take into consideration the report and any
objection which is urged by the Official Receiver, auditor or any creditor
or contributory or other person interested against the release of the
liquidator; and (c) shall either grant or withhold the release accordingly.
(3) Where the release of a liquidator is withheld, the Court may, on the
application of any creditor or contributory or person interested, make such
order as it thinks just charging the liquidator with the consequences of
any act or default which he may have done or made contrary to his duty.
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(4) An order of the Court releasing the liquidator shall discharge him from
all liability in respect of any act done or default made by him in the
administration of the affairs of the company or otherwise in relation to
his conduct as liquidator, but any such order may be revoked on proof that
it was obtained by fraud or by suppression or concealment of any material
fact. (5) Where the liquidator has not previously resigned or been removed
his release shall operate as a removal from office. (6) Where the Court has
made— (a) an order that the liquidator be released; or (b) an order that
the liquidator be released and that the company be dissolved, an office
copy of the order shall within fourteen days after the making thereof be
lodged by the liquidator with the Registrar and with the Official Receiver,
and a liquidator who makes default in complying with the requirements of
this subsection shall be guilty of an offence against this Act. Penalty:
*Two thousand ringgit. Default penalty. Subdivision (3)—Committees of
Inspection Meetings to determine whether committee of inspection to be
appointed 241. (1) The liquidator may, and shall, if requested by any
creditor or contributory, summon separate meetings of the creditors and
contributories for the purpose of determining whether or not the creditors
or contributories require the appointment of a committee of inspection to
act with the liquidator, and if so who are to be members of the committee.
(2) If there is a difference between the determinations of the meetings of
the creditors and contributories, the Court shall decide the difference and
make such order as it thinks fit.
*NOTE—Previously “five hundred ringgit”–see Companies (Amendment) Act 1986
[Act A657].
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(8) The liquidator may, at any time of his own motion and shall, within
seven days after the request in writing of a creditor or contributory,
summon a meeting of creditors or of contributories, as the case requires,
to consider any appointment made pursuant to subsection (7) and the meeting
may confirm or revoke the appointment and appoint another creditor or
contributory or person holding a general power or special authority as
specified in subsection (1), as the case requires, in his stead. (9) The
continuing members of the committee if not less than two may act
notwithstanding any vacancy in the committee. Subdivision (4)—General
Powers of Court Power to stay winding up 243. (1) At any time after an
order for winding up has been made the Court may, on the application of the
liquidator or of any creditor or contributory and on proof to the
satisfaction of the Court that all proceedings in relation to the winding
up ought to be stayed, make an order staying the proceedings either
altogether or for a limited time on such terms and conditions as the Court
thinks fit. (2) On any such application the Court may, before making an
order, require the liquidator to furnish a report with respect to any facts
or matters which are in his opinion relevant. (3) An office copy of every
order made under this section shall be lodged by the company with the
Registrar and with the Official Receiver within fourteen days after the
making of the order. Penalty: *One thousand ringgit. Default penalty.
Settlement of list of contributories and application of assets 244. (1) As
soon as may be after making a winding up order the Court shall settle a
list of contributories and may rectify the register of members in all cases
where rectification is required in pursuance of this Part and shall cause
the assets of the company to be collected and applied in discharge of its
liabilities.
*NOTE—Previously “two hundred and fifty ringgit”–see Companies (Amendment)
Act 1986 [Act A657].
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Power of Court to make calls (2) The Court may either before or after it
has ascertained the sufficiency of the assets of the company— (a) make
calls on all or any of the contributories for the time being on the list of
contributories, to the extent of their liability, for payment of any money
which the Court considers necessary to satisfy the debts and liabilities of
the company and the costs, charges and expenses of winding up and for the
adjustment of the rights of the contributories among themselves; and (b)
make an order for payment of any calls so made, and in making a call may
take into consideration the probability that some of the contributories may
partly or wholly fail to pay the call. Payment into bank of moneys due to
company (3) The Court may order any contributory, purchaser or other person
from whom money is due to the company to pay the amount due into some bank
named in the order to the account of the liquidator instead of to the
liquidator, and any such order may be enforced in the same manner as if it
had directed payment to the liquidator. (4) All moneys and securities paid
or delivered into any bank pursuant to this Division shall be subject in
all respects to orders of the Court. Order on contributory conclusive
evidence (5) An order made by the Court under this section shall, subject
to any right of appeal, be conclusive evidence that the money, if any,
thereby appearing to be due or ordered to be paid is due, and all other
pertinent matters stated in the order shall be taken to be truly stated as
against all persons and in all proceedings. Appointment of special manager
246. (1) The liquidator may, if satisfied that the nature of the estate or
business of the company, or the interests of the creditors or
contributories generally, require the appointment of a special
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manager of the estate or business of the company other than himself, apply
to the Court which may appoint a special manager of the estate or business
to act during such time as the Court directs with such powers, including
any of the powers of a receiver or manager, as are entrusted to him by the
Court. (2) The special manager— (a) shall give such security and account in
such manner as the Court directs; (b) shall receive such remuneration as is
fixed by the Court; and (c) may at any time resign after giving not less
than one month's notice in writing to the liquidator of his intention to
resign, or on cause shown be removed by the Court. Claims of creditors and
distribution of assets 247. (1) The Court may fix a date on or before which
creditors are to prove their debts or claims or after which they will be
excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before those debts are
proved. (2) The Court shall adjust the rights of the contributories among
themselves and distribute any surplus among the persons entitled thereto.
(3) The Court may, in the event of the assets being insufficient to satisfy
the liabilities, make an order as to the payment out of the assets of the
costs charges and expenses incurred in the winding up in such order of
priority as the Court thinks fit. Inspection of books by creditors and
contributories 248. The Court may make such order for inspection of the
books and papers of the company by creditors and contributories as the
Court thinks just, and any books and papers in the possession of the
company may be inspected by creditors or contributories accordingly, but
not further or otherwise.
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Power to summon persons connected with company 249. (1) The Court may
summon before it any officer of the company or person known or suspected to
have in his possession any property of the company or supposed to be
indebted to the company, or any person whom the Court deems capable of
giving information concerning the promotion, formation, trade dealings,
affairs or property of the company. (2) The Court may examine him on oath
concerning the matters mentioned in subsection (1) either by word of mouth
or on written interrogatories and may reduce his answers to writing and
require him to sign them, and any writing so signed may be used in evidence
in any legal proceedings against him. (3) The Court may require him to
produce any books and papers in his custody or power relating to the
company, but where he claims any lien on books or papers the production
shall be without prejudice to that lien, and the Court shall have
jurisdiction to determine all question relating to that lien. (4) An
examination under this section or section 250 may, if the Court so directs
and subject to the rules, be held before any Sessions Court Judge named for
the purpose by the Court, and the powers of the Court under this section
and section 250 may be exercised by such Sessions Court Judge. (5) If any
person so summoned after being tendered a reasonable sum for his expenses
refuses to come before the Court at the time appointed not having a lawful
excuse, made known to the Court at the time of its sitting and allowed by
it, the Court may cause him to be apprehended and brought before the Court
for examination. Power to order public examination of promoters, directors,
etc. 250. (1) Where the liquidator has made a report under this Part
stating that, in his opinion, a fraud has been committed or that any
material fact has been concealed by any person in the promotion or
formation of the company or by any officer in relation to the company since
its formation or that any officer of the company has failed to act honestly
or diligently or has been guilty of any impropriety or recklessness in
relation to the affairs of the company the Court may after consideration of
the report direct that the
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person or officer, or any other person who was previously an officer of the
company, including any banker, advocate or auditor, or who is known or
suspected to have in his possession any property of the company or is
supposed to be indebted to the company or any person whom the Court deems
capable of giving information concerning the promotion, formation, trade
dealings, affairs or property of the company, shall attend before the Court
on a day appointed and be publicly examined as to the promotion or
formation or the conduct of the business of the company, or in the case of
an officer or former officer as to his conduct and dealings as an officer
thereof. (2) The liquidator and any creditor or contributory may take part
in the examination either personally or by an advocate. (3) The Court may
put or allow to be put such questions to the person examined as the Court
thinks fit. (4) The person examined shall be examined on oath and shall
answer all such questions as the Court puts or allows to be put to him. (5)
A person ordered to be examined under this section shall before his
examination be furnished with a copy of the liquidator’s report. (6) Where
a person directed to attend before the Court under subsection (1) applies
to the Court to be exculpated from any charges made or suggested against
him the liquidator shall appear on the hearing of the application and call
the attention of the Court to any matters which appear to him to be
relevant and if the Court, after hearing any evidence given or witnesses
called by the liquidator, grants the application the Court may allow the
applicant such costs as in its discretion it thinks fit. (7) Notes of the
examination— (a) shall be reduced to writing; (b) shall be read over to or
by and signed by the person examined; (c) may thereafter be used in
evidence in any legal proceedings against him; and (d) shall be open to the
inspection of any creditor or contributory at all reasonable times.
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(8) The Court may if it thinks fit adjourn the examination from time to
time. Power to arrest absconding contributory 251. The Court, at any time
before or after making a winding up order, on proof of probable cause for
believing that a contributory, director or former director of the company
is in hiding or had absconded or is about to quit Malaysia or otherwise to
abscond or to remove or conceal any of his property for the purpose of
evading payment of calls or of avoiding examination respecting the affairs
of the company, or otherwise avoiding, delaying or embarrassing proceedings
in the winding up, may cause the contributory, director or former director
to be arrested and his books and papers and movable personal property to be
seized and him and them to be safely kept until such time as the Court
orders. Delegation to liquidator of certain powers of Court 252. Provision
may be made by rules enabling or requiring all or any of the powers and
duties conferred and imposed on the Court by this Part in respect of— (a)
the holding and conducting of meetings to ascertain the wishes of creditors
and contributories; (b) the settling of lists of contributories, the
rectifying of the register of members where required, and the collecting
and applying of the assets; (c) the paying, delivery, conveyance, surrender
or transfer of money, property, books or papers to the liquidator; (d) the
making of calls and the adjusting of the rights of contributories; and (e)
the fixing of a time within which debts and claims must be proved, to be
exercised or performed by the liquidator as an officer of the Court and
subject to the control of the Court, but the liquidator shall not without
the special leave of the Court rectify the register of members and shall
not make any call without either the special leave of the Court or the
sanction of the committee of inspection.
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343
253. (1) Any powers by this Act conferred on the Court shall be in addition
to and not in restriction of any existing powers of instituting proceedings
against any contributory or debtor of the company or the estate of any
contributory or debtor for the recovery of any call or other sums. (2)
Subject to the rules an appeal from any order or decision made or given in
the winding up of a company shall lie in the same manner and subject to the
same conditions as an appeal from any order or decision of the Court in
cases within its ordinary jurisdiction.
DIVISION 3 VOLUNTARY WINDING UP
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(4) A company which is an insurer, whether or not its licence under the
Insurance Act 1996 is revoked, shall not be wound up voluntarily before the
transfer of the whole of its insurance business to another insurer under
section 128 of that Act. Provisional liquidators 255. (1) Where the
directors of a company have made a statutory declaration in the prescribed
form which has been lodged with the Registrar and with the Official
Receiver— (a) that the company cannot by reason of its liabilities continue
its business; and (b) that meetings of the company and of its creditors
have been summoned for a date within one month of the date of the
declaration, the directors shall forthwith appoint an approved liquidator
to be the provisional liquidator. (2) A provisional liquidator shall have
and may exercise all the functions and powers of a liquidator in a
creditors’ winding up subject to such limitations and restrictions as may
be prescribed by the rules. (3) The appointment of a provisional liquidator
under this section shall continue for one month from the date of his
appointment or for such further period as the Official Receiver may allow
in any particular case or until the appointment of a liquidator (whichever
first occurs). (4) Notice of the appointment of a provisional liquidator
under this section together with a copy of the declaration lodged with the
Registrar shall be advertised within fourteen days of the appointment of
the provisional liquidator in some newspaper circulating generally
throughout Malaysia. (5) A provisional liquidator shall be entitled to
receive such salary or remuneration by way of percentage or otherwise as is
prescribed.
Companies Date of commencement of winding up (6) A voluntary winding up
shall commence—
345
(a) where a provisional liquidator has been appointed before the resolution
for voluntary winding up was passed, at the time when the declaration
referred to in subsection (1) was lodged with the Registrar; and (b) in any
other case, at the time of the passing of the resolution for voluntary
winding up. Effect of voluntary winding up 256. (1) The company shall from
the commencement of the winding up cease to carry on its business, except
so far as is in the opinion of the liquidator required for the beneficial
winding up thereof, but the corporate state and corporate powers of the
company shall notwithstanding anything to the contrary in its articles,
continue until it is dissolved. (2) Any transfer of shares, not being a
transfer made to or with the sanction of the liquidator, and any alteration
in the status of the members made after the commencement of the winding up,
shall be void. Declaration of solvency 257. (1) Where it is proposed to
wind up a company voluntarily the directors of the company, or in the case
of a company having more than two directors, the majority of the directors
may, before the date on which the notices of the meeting at which the
resolution for the winding up of the company is to be proposed are sent
out, make a written declaration to the effect that they have made an
inquiry into the affairs of the company, and that at a meeting of directors
have formed the opinion that the company will be able to pay its debts in
full within a period not exceeding twelve months after the commencement of
the winding up. (2) There shall be attached to the declaration a statement
of affairs of the company showing, in the prescribed form— (a) the assets
of the company, and the total amount expected to be realized therefrom;
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(4) Within seven days after a meeting has been held pursuant to subsection
(1) the liquidator or if some other person has been appointed by the
creditors to be the liquidator the person so appointed shall lodge with the
Registrar and with the Official Receiver a notice in the prescribed form
and if default is made in complying with this subsection the liquidator or
the person so appointed (as the case requires) shall be guilty of an
offence against this Act. Penalty: *One thousand ringgit. Default penalty.
Alternative provisions as to annual meetings in case of insolvency (5)
Where the liquidator has convened a meeting under subsection (1) and the
creditors do not appoint a liquidator instead of the liquidator appointed
by the company the winding up shall thereafter proceed as if the winding up
were a creditors’ voluntary winding up; but the liquidator shall not be
required to summon an annual meeting of creditors at the end of the first
year from the commencement of the winding up if the meeting held under
subsection (1) was held less than three months before the end of that year.
Subdivision (3)—Provisions applicable only to Creditors’ Voluntary Winding
Up Meeting of creditors 260. (1) The company shall cause a meeting of the
creditors of the company to be summoned for the day, or the day next
following the day, on which there is to be held the meeting at which the
resolution for voluntary winding up is to be proposed, and shall cause the
notices of the meeting of creditors to be sent by post to the creditors
simultaneously with the sending of the notices of the meeting of the
company. (2) The company shall convene the meeting at a time and place
convenient to the majority in value of the creditors and shall— (a) give to
the creditors at least seven clear days’ notice by post of the meeting; and
(b) send to each creditor with the notice a statement showing the names of
all creditors and the amounts of their claims.
*NOTE—Previously “two hundred ringgit”–see Companies (Amendment) Act 1986
[Act A657].
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(3) The company shall cause notice of the meeting of the creditors to be
advertised at least seven days before the date of the meeting in a
newspaper circulating generally throughout Malaysia. (4) The directors of
the company shall— (a) cause a full statement of the company’s affairs
showing in respect of assets the method and manner in which the valuation
of the assets was arrived at, together with a list of the creditors and the
estimated amount of their claims to be laid before the meeting of
creditors; and (b) appoint one of their number to attend the meeting. (5)
The director so appointed and the secretary shall attend the meeting and
disclose to the meeting the company’s affairs and the circumstances leading
up to the proposed winding up. (6) The creditors may appoint one of their
number or the director appointed under subsection (4) to preside at the
meeting. (7) The chairman shall at the meeting determine whether the
meeting has been held at a time and place convenient to the majority in
value of the creditors and his decision shall be final. (8) If the chairman
decides that the meeting has not been held at a time and place convenient
to that majority the meeting shall lapse and a further meeting shall be
summoned by the company as soon as is practicable. (9) If the meeting of
the company is adjourned and the resolution for winding up is passed at an
adjourned meeting, any resolution passed at the meeting of the creditors
shall have effect as if it had been passed immediately after the passing of
the resolution for winding up. (10) If default is made in complying with
this section the company and any officer of the company who is in default
shall be guilty of an offence against this Act. Penalty: *Two thousand
ringgit.
*NOTE—Previously “five hundred ringgit”–see Companies (Amendment) Act 1986
[Act A657].
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261. (1) The company shall and the creditors may at their respective
meetings nominate a person to be liquidator for the purpose of winding up
the affairs and distributing the assets of the company, and if the
creditors and the company nominate different persons the person nominated
by the creditors shall be liquidator, and if no person is nominated by the
creditors the person nominated by the company shall be liquidator. (2)
Notwithstanding subsection (1) where different persons are nominated any
director, member or creditor may, within seven days after the date on which
the nomination was made by the creditors, apply to the Court for an order
directing that the person nominated as liquidator by the company shall be
liquidator instead of or jointly with the person nominated by the
creditors. (3) The committee of inspection, or if there is no such
committee the creditors, may fix the remuneration to be paid to the
liquidator. (4) On the appointment of a liquidator all the powers of the
directors shall cease, except so far as the committee of inspection, or if
there is no such committee the creditors, approve the continuance thereof.
(5) If a liquidator, other than a liquidator appointed by or by the
direction of the Court dies, resigns or otherwise vacates the office the
creditors may fill the vacancy and for the purpose of so doing a meeting of
the creditors may be summoned by any two of their number. Committee of
inspection 262. (1) The creditors at the meeting summoned pursuant to
section 259 or 260 or at any subsequent meeting may, if they think fit,
appoint a committee of inspection consisting of not more than five persons,
whether creditors or not and if such a committee is appointed the company
may, either at the meeting at which the resolution for voluntary winding up
is passed or at any time subsequently in general meeting, appoint such
number of persons but not more than five as it thinks fit to act as members
of the committee.
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(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) the creditors may, if they think fit,
resolve that all or any of the persons so appointed by the company ought
not to be members of the committee of inspection and, if the creditors so
resolve, the persons mentioned in the resolution shall not, unless the
Court otherwise directs, be qualified to act as members of the committee,
and on any application to the Court under this subsection the Court may, if
it thinks fit, appoint other persons to act as such members in place of the
persons mentioned in the resolution. (3) Subject to this section and the
rules the provisions of Subdivision (3) of Division 2 relating to the
proceedings of and vacancies in committees of inspection shall apply with
respect to a committee of inspection appointed under this section. Property
and proceedings 263. (1) Any attachment, sequestration, distress or
execution put in force against the estate or effects of the company after
the commencement of a creditors’ voluntary winding up shall be void. (2)
After the commencement of the winding up no action or proceeding shall be
proceeded with or commenced against the company except by leave of the
Court and subject to such terms as the Court imposes. Subdivision (4)—
Provisions applicable to every Voluntary Winding Up Distribution of
property of company 264. Subject to the provisions of this Act as to
preferential payments the property of a company shall, on its winding up,
be applied pari passu in satisfaction of its liabilities, and subject to
that application shall, unless the articles otherwise provide, be
distributed among the members according to their rights and interests in
the company. Appointment of liquidator 265. If from any cause there is no
liquidator acting, the Court may appoint a liquidator.
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266. The Court may, on cause shown, remove a liquidator and appoint another
liquidator. Review of liquidator’s remuneration 267. (1) Any member or
creditor or the liquidator may, at any time before the dissolution of the
company, apply to the Court to review the amount of the remuneration of the
liquidator, and the decision of the Court shall be final and conclusive.
(2) Notwithstanding subsection 232(3), in the case of a company which is an
insurer, no person, other than Bank Negara Malaysia, may apply to the Court
to review the remuneration of the liquidator and the Court shall determine
the remuneration of the liquidator on the recommendation of Bank Negara
Malaysia. Act of liquidator valid, etc. 268. (1) The acts of a liquidator
shall be valid notwithstanding any defects that may afterwards be
discovered in his appointment or qualification. (2) Any conveyance,
assignment, transfer, mortgage, charge or other disposition of a company’s
property made by a liquidator shall, notwithstanding any defect or
irregularity affecting the validity of the winding up or the appointment of
the liquidator, be valid in favour of any person taking such property bona
fide and for value and without notice of such defect or irregularity. (3)
Every person making or permitting any disposition of property to any
liquidator shall be protected and indemnified in so doing notwithstanding
any defect or irregularity affecting the validity of the winding up or the
appointment of the liquidator not then known to such person. (4) For the
purposes of this section a disposition of property shall be taken as
including a payment of money.
Companies Powers and duties of liquidator 269. (1) The liquidator may—
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(a) in the case of a members’ voluntary winding up, with the approval of a
special resolution of the company and, in the case of a creditors’
voluntary winding up, with the approval of the Court or the committee of
inspection, exercise any of the powers given by paragraphs 236(1) (b), (c),
(d) and (e) to a liquidator in a winding up by the Court; (b) exercise any
of the other powers by this Act given to the liquidator in a winding up by
the Court; (c) exercise the power of the Court under this Act of settling a
list of contributories, and the list of contributories shall be prima facie
evidence of the liability of the persons named therein to be
contributories; (d) exercise the power of the Court of making calls; or (e)
summon general meetings of the company for the purpose of obtaining the
sanction of the company by special resolution in respect of any matter or
for any other purpose he thinks fit. (2) The liquidator shall pay the debts
of the company and adjust the rights of the contributories among
themselves. (3) When several liquidators are appointed, any power given by
this Act may be exercised by such one or more of them as is determined at
the time of their appointment, or in default of such determination by any
number not less than two. Power of liquidator to accept shares, etc., as
consideration for sale of property of company 270. (1) Where it is proposed
that the whole or part of the business or property of a company (in this
section called the “company”) be transferred or sold to another corporation
(in this section called the “corporation”), the liquidator of the company,
may, with the sanction of a special resolution of the company conferring
either a general authority on the liquidator or an authority in respect of
any particular arrangement, receive in compensation or part
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271. (1) If the winding up continues for more than one year, the liquidator
shall summon a general meeting of the company in the case of a members’
voluntary winding up, and of the company and the creditors in the case of a
creditors’ voluntary winding up, at the end of the first year from the
commencement of the winding up and of each succeeding year or not more than
three months thereafter, and shall lay before the meeting an account of his
acts and dealings and of the conduct of the winding up during the preceding
year. (2) The liquidator shall cause the notices of the meeting of
creditors to be sent by post to the creditors simultaneously with the
sending of the notices of the meeting of the company. (3) Every liquidator
who fails to comply with this section shall be guilty of an offence against
this Act. Penalty: *Two thousand ringgit. Default penalty. Final meeting
and dissolution 272. (1) As soon as the affairs of the company are fully
wound up the liquidator shall make up an account showing how the winding up
has been conducted and the property of the company has been disposed of,
and thereupon shall call a general meeting of the company, or in the case
of a creditor’s voluntary winding up a meeting of the company and the
creditors, for the purpose of laying before it the account and giving any
explanation thereof. (2) The meeting shall be called by advertisement
published in a newspaper circulating generally throughout Malaysia, which
advertisement shall specify the time, place and object of the meeting and
shall be published one month at least before the meeting. (3) The
liquidator shall, within seven days after the meeting, lodge with the
Registrar and the Official Receiver a return of the holding of the meeting
and of its date with a copy of the account attached to such return, and if
the return or copy of the account is not so lodged the liquidator shall be
guilty of an offence against this Act. Penalty: †One thousand ringgit.
Default penalty.
*NOTE—Previously “five hundred ringgit”–see Companies (Amendment) Act 1986
[Act A657]. † NOTE—Previously “two hundred and fifty ringgit”–see Companies
(Amendment) Act 1986 [Act A657].
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(4) The quorum at a meeting of the company shall be two and at a meeting of
the company and the creditors shall be two members and two creditors and if
a quorum is not present at the meeting, the liquidator shall in lieu of the
return mentioned in subsection (3) lodge a return (with account attached)
that the meeting was duly summoned and that no quorum was present thereat,
and upon such a return being lodged the provisions of subsection (3) as to
the lodging of the return shall be deemed to have been complied with. (5)
On the expiration of three months after the lodging of the return with the
Registrar and with the Official Receiver the company shall be dissolved.
(6) Notwithstanding subsection (5) the Court may, on the application of the
liquidator or of any other person who appears to the Court to be
interested, make an order deferring the date at which the dissolution of
the company is to take effect for such time as the Court thinks fit. (7)
The person on whose application an order of the Court under this section is
made shall, within fourteen days after the making of the order, lodge with
the Registrar and with the Official Receiver an office copy of the order,
and if he fails so to do he shall be guilty of an offence against this Act.
Penalty: *One thousand ringgit. Default penalty. (8) If the liquidator
fails to call a meeting as required by this section he shall be guilty of
an offence against this Act. Penalty: †Two thousand ringgit. Default
penalty. Arrangement when binding on creditors 273. (1) Any arrangement
entered into between a company about to be or in the course of being wound
up and its creditors shall, subject to the right of appeal under this
section, be binding on the company if sanctioned by a special resolution,
and on the creditors if acceded to by three-fourths in value and one-half
in number of the creditors, every creditor for under fifty ringgit being
reckoned in value only.
*NOTE—Previously “two hundred and fifty ringgit”–see Companies (Amendment)
Act 1986 [Act A657]. † NOTE—Previously “five hundred ringgit ”–see
Companies (Amendment) Act 1986 [Act A657].
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(2) A creditor shall be accounted a creditor for value for such sum as upon
an account fairly stated, after allowing the value of security or liens
held by him and the amount of any debt or setoff owing by him to the
debtor, appears to be the balance due to him. (3) Any dispute with regard
to the value of any such security or lien or the amount of such debt or
set-off may be settled by the Court on the application of the company, the
liquidator, or the creditor. (4) Any creditor or contributory may, within
three weeks from the completion of the arrangement, appeal to the Court
against it, and the Court may thereupon as it thinks just amend, vary or
confirm the arrangement. Application to Court to have questions determined
or powers exercised 274. (1) The liquidator or any contributory or creditor
may apply to the Court— (a) to determine any question arising in the
winding up of a company; or (b) to exercise all or any of the powers which
the Court might exercise if the company were being wound up by the Court.
(2) The Court, if satisfied that the determination of the question or the
exercise of power will be just and beneficial, may accede wholly or
partially to any such application on such terms and conditions as it thinks
fit or may make such other order on the application as it thinks just.
Costs 275. All proper costs, charges and expenses of and incidental to the
winding up including the remuneration of the liquidator shall be payable
out of the assets of the company in priority to all other claims.
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(5) The Court may require any contributory, trustee, receiver, banker,
agent or officer of the company to pay, deliver, convey, surrender or
transfer to the liquidator or provisional liquidator forthwith or within
such time as the Court directs any money, property, books and papers in his
hands to which the company is prima facie entitled. Powers of Official
Receiver where no committee of inspection 278. (1) Where a person other
than the Official Receiver is the liquidator and there is no committee of
inspection the Official Receiver may, on the application of the liquidator,
do any act or thing or give any direction or permission which is by this
Act authorized or required to be done or given by the Committee. (2) Where
the Official Receiver is the liquidator and there is no committee of
inspection the Official Receiver may in his discretion do any act or thing
which is by this Act required to be done by, or subject to any direction or
permission given by the Committee. Appeal against decision of liquidator
279. Any person aggrieved by any act or decision of the liquidator may
apply to the Court which may confirm, reverse or modify the act or decision
complained of and make such order as it thinks just. Notice of appointment
and address of liquidator or provisional liquidator 280. (1) A liquidator
or provisional liquidator shall, within fourteen days after his
appointment, lodge with the Registrar and with the Official Receiver notice
in the prescribed form of his appointment and of the situation of his
office and in the event of any change in the situation of his office shall,
within fourteen days after the change, lodge with the Registrar and with
the Official Receiver notice in the prescribed form of the change. (2)
Service made by leaving any document at or sending it by post addressed to
the address of the office of the liquidator or provisional liquidator given
in any such notice lodged with the
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(b) in the notice inform creditors and contributories at what address and
between what hours the account may be inspected. (5) The costs of an audit
under this section shall be fixed by the Official Receiver and be part of
the expenses of winding up. Liquidator to make good defaults 282. (1) If
any liquidator who has made any default in lodging or making any
application, return, account or other document, or in giving any notice
which he is by law required to lodge, make or give, fails to make good the
default within fourteen days after the service on him of a notice requiring
him to do so, the Court may, on the application of any contributory or
creditor of the company or the Official Receiver, make an order directing
the liquidator to make good the default within such time as is specified in
the order. (2) Any order made under subsection (1) may provide that all
costs of and incidental to the application shall be borne by the
liquidator. (3) Nothing in subsection (1) shall prejudice the operation of
any written law imposing penalties on a liquidator in respect of any such
default. Notification that a company is in liquidation 283. (1) Where a
company is being wound up every invoice, order for goods or business letter
issued by or on behalf of the company or a liquidator of the company or a
receiver or manager of the property of the company, being a document on or
in which the name of the company appears, shall have the words “in
liquidation” added after the name of the company where it first appears
therein. (2) If default is made in complying with this section the company,
and every officer of the company or liquidator and every receiver or
manager who knowingly and wilfully authorizes or permits the default shall
be guilty of an offence against this Act. Penalty: *Five hundred ringgit.
*NOTE—Previously “one hundred ringgit”–see Companies (Amendment) Act 1986
[Act A657].
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284. (1) Where a company is being wound up all books and papers of the
company and of the liquidator that are relevant to the affairs of the
company at or subsequent to the commencement of the winding up of the
company shall, as between the contributories of the company, be prima facie
evidence of the truth of all matters purporting to be therein recorded. (2)
When a company has been wound up the liquidator shall retain the books and
papers referred to in subsection (1) for a period of five years from the
date of dissolution of the company and at the expiration of that period may
destroy them. Penalty: *Two thousand ringgit. (3) Notwithstanding
subsection (2), when a company has been wound up the books and papers
referred to in subsection (1) may be destroyed within a period of five
years after the dissolution of the company— (a) in the case of a winding up
by the Court, in accordance with the directions of the Court; (b) in the
case of a members’ voluntary winding up, as the company by resolution
directs; and (c) in the case of a creditors’ voluntary winding up, as the
committee of inspection, or, if there is no such committee, as the
creditors of the company direct. (4) No responsibility shall rest on the
company or the liquidator by reason of any such book or paper not being
forthcoming to any person claiming to be interested therein if the book or
paper has been destroyed in accordance with this section. Investment of
surplus funds on general account 285. (1) Whenever the cash balance
standing to the credit of any company in liquidation is in excess of the
amount which, in the opinion of the committee of inspection, or, if there
is no committee of inspection, of the liquidator, is required for the time
being to answer demands in respect of the estate of the company, the
liquidator, if so directed in writing by the committee of inspection, or,
if there is no committee of inspection, the liquidator himself, may, unless
*NOTE—Previously “five hundred ringgit”–see Companies (Amendment) Act 1986
[Act A657].
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the Court on application by any creditor thinks fit to direct otherwise and
so orders, invest the sum or any part thereof in securities issued by the
Government of Malaysia or of any State of Malaysia or place it on deposit
at interest with any bank, and any interest received in respect thereof
shall form part of the assets of the company. (2) Whenever any part of the
money so invested is, in the opinion of the committee of inspection, or, if
there is no committee of inspection, of the liquidator, required to answer
any demands in respect of the company’s estate, the committee of inspection
may direct, or, if there is no committee of inspection, the liquidator may
arrange for the sale or realization of such part of the said securities as
is necessary. Unclaimed assets to be paid to receiver of revenue 286. (1)
Where a liquidator has in his hands or under his control— (a) any unclaimed
dividend or other moneys which have remained unclaimed for more than six
months from the date when the dividend or other moneys became payable; or
(b) after making final distribution, any unclaimed or undistributed moneys
arising from the property of the company, he shall forthwith pay those
moneys to the Official Receiver to be placed to the credit of the Companies
Liquidation Account and shall be entitled to the prescribed certificate of
receipt for the moneys so paid and that certificate shall be an effectual
discharge to him in respect thereof. (2) The Court may, at any time on the
application of the Official Receiver, order any liquidator to submit to it
an account of any unclaimed or undistributed funds, dividends or other
moneys in his hands or under his control verified by affidavit and may
direct an audit thereof and may direct him to pay those moneys to the
Official Receiver to be placed to the credit of the Companies Liquidation
Account.
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(3) The interest arising from the investment of the moneys standing to the
credit of the Companies Liquidation Account shall be paid into the
Consolidated Fund. (4) For the purposes of this section the Court may
exercise all the powers conferred by this Act with respect to the discovery
and realization of the property of the company and the provisions of this
Act with respect thereto shall, with such adaptations as are prescribed,
apply to proceedings under this section. (5) This section shall not, except
as expressly declared in this Act, deprive any person of any other right or
remedy to which he is entitled against the liquidator or any other person.
(6) If any claimant makes any demand for any money placed to the credit of
the Companies Liquidation Account, the Official Receiver upon being
satisfied that the claimant is the owner of the money shall authorize
payment thereof to be made to him out of the Account or, if it has been
paid into the Consolidated Fund, may authorize payment of a like amount to
be made to him out of moneys made available by Parliament for the purpose.
(7) Any person dissatisfied with the decision of the Official Receiver in
respect of a claim made in pursuance of subsection (6) may appeal to the
Court which may confirm, disallow or vary the decision. (8) Where any
unclaimed moneys paid to any claimant are afterwards claimed by any other
person, that other person shall not be entitled to any payment out of the
Account of the Fund, but may have recourse against the claimant to whom the
unclaimed moneys have been paid. (9) Any unclaimed moneys paid to the
credit of the Companies Liquidation Account to the extent to which the said
moneys have not been under this section paid out of the Account shall, on
the lapse of six years from the date of the payment of the moneys to the
credit of the Account, be paid into the Consolidated Fund. Expenses of
winding up where assets insufficient 287. (1) Unless expressly directed to
do so by the Official Receiver, a liquidator shall not be liable to incur
any expense in relation to
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(2) The debts in each class specified in subsection (1) shall rank in the
order therein specified but as between debts of the same class shall rank
equally between themselves, and shall be paid in full, unless the property
of the company is insufficient to meet them, in which case they shall abate
in equal proportions between themselves. (3) Where any payment has been
made to any employee of the company on account of wages, salary or vacation
leave out of money advanced by a person for that purpose, the person by
whom the money was advanced shall, in a winding up, have a right of
priority in respect of the money so advanced and paid, up to the amount by
which the sum in respect of which the employee would have been entitled to
priority in the winding up has been diminished by reason of the payment,
and shall have the same right of priority in respect of that amount as the
employee would have had if the payment had not been made. (4) So far as the
assets of the company available for payment of general creditors are
insufficient to meet any preferential debts specified in paragraphs (1)(b),
(d) and (e) and any amount payable in priority by virtue of subsection (3),
those debts shall have priority over the claims of the holders of
debentures under any floating charge created by the company, and shall be
paid accordingly out of any property comprised in or subject to that
charge. (5) Where the company is under a contract of insurance (entered
into before the commencement of the winding up) insured against liability
to third parties, then if any such liability is incurred by the company
(either before or after the commencement of the winding up) and an amount
in respect of that liability is or has been received by the company or the
liquidator from the insurer, the amount shall, after deducting any expenses
of or incidental to getting in the amount, be paid by the liquidator to the
third party in respect of whom the liability was incurred to the extent
necessary to discharge that liability or any part of that liability
remaining undischarged in priority to all payments in respect of the debts
referred to in subsection (1). (6) If the liability of the insurer to the
company is less than the liability of the company to the third party
nothing in subsection (5) shall limit the rights of the third party in
respect of the balance.
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(7) Subsections (5) and (6) shall have effect notwithstanding any agreement
to the contrary entered into after the commencement of this Act. (8)
Notwithstanding anything in subsection (1)— (a) paragraph (c) of that
subsection shall not apply in relation to the winding up of a company in
any case where the company is being wound up voluntarily merely for the
purpose of reconstruction or of amalgamation with another company and the
right to the compensation has on the reconstruction or amalgamation been
preserved to the person entitled thereto, or where the company has entered
into a contract with an insurer in respect of any liability under any law
relating to workers compensation; and (b) where a company has given
security for the payment or repayment of any amount to which paragraph (f)
of that subsection relates, that paragraph shall apply only in relation to
the balance of any such amount remaining due after deducting therefrom the
net amount realized from such security. (9) Where in any winding up assets
have been recovered under an indemnity for costs of litigation given by
certain creditors, or have been protected or preserved by the payment of
moneys or the giving of indemnity by creditors, or where expenses in
relation to which a creditor has indemnified a liquidator, have been
recovered the Court may make such order as it deems just with respect to
the distribution of those assets and the amount of those expenses so
recovered with a view to giving those creditors an advantage over others in
consideration of the risk run by them in so doing. Subdivision (3)—Effect
on other Transactions Undue preference 293. (1) Any transfer, mortgage,
delivery of goods, payment, execution or other act relating to property
made or done by or against a company which, had it been made or done by or
against an individual, would in his bankruptcy under the law of bankruptcy
be void or voidable shall, in the event of the company being wound up, be
void or voidable in like manner.
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(2) For the purposes of this section the date which corresponds with the
date of presentation of the bankruptcy petition in the case of an
individual shall be— (a) in the case of a winding up by the Court— (i) the
date of the presentation of the petition; or (ii) where before the
presentation of the petition a resolution has been passed by the company
for voluntary winding up the date upon which the resolution to wind up the
company voluntarily, is passed, whichever is the earlier; and (b) in the
case of a voluntary winding up the date upon which the winding up is deemed
by this Act to have commenced. (3) Any transfer or assignment by a company
of all its property to trustees for the benefit of all its creditors shall
be void. Effect of floating charge 294. A floating charge on the
undertaking or property of the company created within six months of the
commencement of the winding up shall, unless it is proved that the company
immediately after the creation of the charge was solvent, be invalid except
to the amount of any cash paid to the company at the time of or
subsequently to the creation of and in consideration for the charge
together with interest on that amount at the rate of five per centum per
annum. Liquidator’s right to recover in respect of certain sales to or by
company 295. (1) Where any property, business or undertaking has been
acquired by a company for a cash consideration within a period of two years
before the commencement of the winding up of the company— (a) from a person
who was at the time of the acquisition a director of the company; or
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(b) from a company of which, at the time of the acquisition, a person was a
director who was also a director of the first-mentioned company, the
liquidator may recover from the person or company from which the property,
business or undertaking was acquired any amount by which the cash
consideration for the acquisition exceeded the value of the property,
business or undertaking at the time of its acquisition. (2) Where any
property, business or undertaking has been sold by a company for a cash
consideration within a period of two years before the commencement of the
winding up of the company— (a) to a person who was at the time of the sale
a director of the company; or (b) to a company of which at the time of the
sale a person was a director who was also a director of the company first
mentioned in this subsection, the liquidator may recover from the person or
company to which the property, business or undertaking was sold any amount
by which the value of the property, business or undertaking at the time of
the sale exceeded the cash consideration. (3) For the purposes of this
section the value of the property business or undertaking includes the
value of any goodwill or profits which might have been made from the
business or undertaking or similar considerations. (4) In this section
“cash consideration” in relation to an acquisition or sale by a company,
means consideration for the acquisition or sale payable otherwise than by
the issue of shares in the company. Disclaimer of onerous property 296. (1)
Where any part of the property of a company consists of— (a) any estate or
interest in land which is burdened with onerous covenants; (b) shares in
corporations; (c) unprofitable contracts; or
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(5) The Court may, on the application of a person who is, as against the
liquidator, entitled to the benefit or subject to the burden of a contract
made with the company, make an order rescinding the contract on such terms
as to payment by or to either party of damages for the non-performance of
the contract, or otherwise as the Court thinks just, and any damages
payable under the order to that person may be proved by him as a debt in
the winding up. (6) The Court may, on the application of a person who
either claims any interest in any disclaimed property or is under any
liability not discharged by this Act in respect of any disclaimed property
and on hearing such persons as it thinks fit, make an order for the vesting
of the property in or the delivery of the property to any person entitled
thereto, or to whom it seems just that the property should be delivered by
way of compensation for such liability as aforesaid, or a trustee for him,
and on such terms as the Court thinks just, and on any such vesting order
being made and an office copy thereof being lodged with the Registrar and
with the Official Receiver and if the order relates to land with the
appropriate authority concerned with the recording or registration of
dealings in that land (as the case requires) the property comprised therein
shall vest accordingly in the person therein named in that behalf without
any further conveyance, transfer or assignment. (7) Notwithstanding
anything in subsection (6), where the property disclaimed is of a leasehold
nature the Court shall not make a vesting order in favour of any person
claiming under the company, whether as under-lessee or as mortgagee, except
upon the terms of making that person— (a) subject to the same liabilities
and obligations as those to which the company was subject under the lease
in respect of the property at the commencement of the winding up; or (b) if
the Court thinks fit, subject only to the same liabilities and obligations
as if the lease had been assigned to that person at that date, and in
either event, if the case so requires, as if the lease had comprised only
the property comprised in the vesting order, and any mortgagee or under-
lessee declining to accept a vesting order upon those terms shall be
excluded from all interest in and security upon the property, and, if there
is no person claiming under the company who is willing to accept an order
upon those terms, the
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Court may vest the estate and interest of the company in the property in
any person liable personally or in a representative character and either
alone or jointly with the company to perform the lessee’s covenants in the
lease, freed and discharged from all estates, incumbrances and interest
created therein by the company. (8) Any person injured by the operation of
a disclaimer under this section shall be deemed to be a creditor of the
company to the amount of the injury, and may accordingly prove the amount
as a debt in the winding up. Interpretation 297. For the purposes of
sections 298 and 299—
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(v) has fraudulently parted with, altered or made any omission in, or has
been privy to fraudulent parting with, altering or making any omission in,
any document affecting or relating to the property or affairs of the
company; (vi) by any false representation or other fraud, has obtained any
property for or on behalf of the company on credit which the company has
not subsequently paid for; (vii) has obtained on credit, for or on behalf
of the company, under the false pretence that the company is carrying on
its business, any property which the company has not subsequently paid for;
or (viii) has pawned, pledged or disposed of any property of the company
which has been obtained on credit and has not been paid for, unless the
pawning, pledging or disposing was in the ordinary way of the business of
the company; (d) makes any material omission in any statement relating to
the affairs of the company; (e) knowing or believing that a false debt has
been proved by any person fails for a period of one month to inform the
liquidator thereof; (f) prevents the production of any book or paper
affecting or relating to the property or affairs of the company; (g) within
twelve months next before the commencement of the winding up or at any time
thereafter has attempted to account for any part of the property of the
company by fictitious losses or expenses; or (h) within twelve months next
before the commencement of the winding up or at any time thereafter has
been guilty of any false representation or other fraud for the purpose of
obtaining the consent of the creditors of the company or any of them to an
agreement with reference to the affairs of the company or to the winding
up, shall be guilty of an offence against this Act. Penalty: Imprisonment
for two years or five thousand ringgit.
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303. (1) If, on an investigation under any other Part or where a company is
wound up, it is shown that proper books of account were not kept by the
company throughout the period of two years immediately preceding the
commencement of the investigation or winding up or the period between the
incorporation of the company and the commencement of the investigation or
winding up (whichever is the lesser) every officer who is in default shall,
unless he acted honestly and shows that in the circumstances in which the
business of the company was carried on the default was excusable, be guilty
of an offence against this Act. Penalty: Imprisonment for *three years or
ten thousand ringgit. (2) For the purposes of this section, proper books of
account shall be deemed not to have been kept in the case of any company if
there have not been kept such books or accounts as are necessary to exhibit
and explain the transactions and financial position of the trade or
business of the company, including books containing entries from day to day
in sufficient detail of all cash received and cash paid, and, where the
trade or business has involved dealings in goods, statements of the annual
stock takings and (except in the case of goods sold by way of ordinary
retail trade) of all goods sold and purchased, showing the goods and the
buyers and sellers thereof in sufficient detail to enable those goods and
those buyers and sellers to be identified or if the books or accounts have
not been kept in such manner as to enable them to be conveniently and
properly audited, whether or not the company has appointed an auditor. (3)
If in the course of the winding up of a company or in any proceedings
against a company it appears that an officer of the company who was
knowingly a party to the contracting of a debt had, at the time the debt
was contracted, no reasonable or probable ground of expectation, after
taking into consideration the other liabilities, if any, of the company at
the time, of the company being able to pay the debt, the officer shall be
guilty of an offence against this Act. Penalty: Imprisonment for †one year
or five thousand ringgit.
*NOTE—Previously “one year or two thousand five hundred ringgit”–see
Companies (Amendment) Act 1986 [Act A657]. † NOTE—Previously “three months
or five hundred ringgit”–see Companies (Amendment) Act 1986 [Act A657].
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Penalty: Imprisonment for *three years or ten thousand ringgit. (6) This
section shall have effect notwithstanding that the person concerned is
criminally liable apart from this section in respect of the matters on the
ground of which the declaration is made. (7) On the hearing of an
application under subsection (1) or (2) the liquidator may himself give
evidence or call witnesses. Power of Court to assess damages against
delinquent officers, etc. 305. (1) If in the course of winding up it
appears that any person who has taken part in the formation or promotion of
the company or any past or present liquidator or officer has misapplied or
retained or become liable or accountable for any money or property of the
company or been guilty of any misfeasance or breach of trust or duty in
relation to the company, the Court may on the application of the liquidator
or of any creditor or contributory examine into the conduct of that person,
liquidator or officer and compel him to repay or restore the money or
property or any part thereof with interest at such rate as the Court thinks
just, or to contribute such sum to the assets of the company by way of
compensation in respect of the misapplication, retainer, misfeasance or
breach of trust or duty as the Court thinks just. (2) This section shall
extend and apply to and in respect of the receipt of any money or property
by any officer of the company during the two years preceding the
commencement of the winding up whether by way of salary or otherwise
appearing to the Court to be unfair or unjust to other members of the
company. (3) This section shall have effect notwithstanding that the
offence is one for which the offender is criminally liable. Prosecution of
delinquent officers and members of company 306. (1) If it appears to the
Court, in the course of a winding up by the Court, that any past or present
officer, or any member, of the company has been guilty of an offence in
relation to the company for which he is criminally liable, the Court may,
either on the application of any person interested in the winding up or of
its own motion, direct the liquidator either himself to prosecute the
offender or to refer the matter to the Minister.
*NOTE—Previously “one year or two thousand five hundred ringgit”–see
Companies (Amendment) Act 1986 [Act A657].
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Power of Registrar to strike defunct company off register 308. (1) Where
the Registrar has reasonable cause to believe that a company is not
carrying on business or is not in operation, he may send to the company by
post a letter to that effect and stating that if an answer showing cause to
the contrary is not received within one month from the date thereof a
notice will be published in the Gazette with a view to striking the name of
the company off the register. (2) Unless the Registrar receives an answer
within one month from the date of the letter to the effect that the company
is carrying on business or is in operation, he may publish in the Gazette
and send to the company by registered post a notice that at the expiration
of three months from the date of that notice the name of the company
mentioned therein will, unless cause is shown to the contrary, be struck
off the register and the company will be dissolved. (3) If in any case
where a company is being wound up the Registrar has reasonable cause to
believe that— (a) no liquidator is acting; (b) the affairs of the company
are fully wound up and for a period of six months the liquidator has been
in default in lodging any return required to be made by him; or (c) the
affairs of the company have been fully wound up under Division 2 and there
are no assets or the assets available are not sufficient to pay the costs
of obtaining an order of the Court dissolving the company, he may publish
in the Gazette and send to the company or the liquidator, if any, a notice
to the same effect as that referred to in subsection (2). (4) At the
expiration of the time mentioned in the notice the Registrar may, unless
cause to the contrary is previously shown, strike the name of the company
off the register, and shall publish notice thereof in the Gazette, and on
the publication in the Gazette of this notice the company shall be
dissolved; but (a) the liability, if any, of every officer and member of
the company shall continue and may be enforced as if the company had not
been dissolved; and
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(b) nothing in this subsection shall affect the power of the Court to wind
up a company, the name of which has been struck off the register. (5) If
any person feels aggrieved by the name of the company having been struck
off the register, the Court on an application made by the person at any
time within fifteen years after the name of the company has been so struck
off may, if satisfied that the company was, at the time of the striking
off, carrying on business or in operation or otherwise that it is just that
the name of the company be restored to the register, order the name of the
company to be restored to the register, and upon an office copy of the
order being lodged with the Registrar the company shall be deemed to have
continued in existence as if its name had not been struck off, and the
Court may by the order give such directions and make such provisions as
seem just for placing the company and all other persons in the same
position as nearly as may be as if the name of the company had not been
struck off. (6) A notice to be sent under this section to a liquidator may
be addressed to the liquidator at his last known place of business, and a
letter or notice to be sent under this section to a company may be
addressed to the company at its registered office or, if no office has been
registered, to the care of some officer of the company, or if there is no
officer of the company whose name and address are known to the Registrar,
may be sent to each of the persons who subscribed the memorandum of the
company, addressed to him at the address mentioned in the memorandum.
Registrar to act as representative of defunct company in certain events
309. (1) Where after company has been dissolved, it is proved to the
satisfaction of the Registrar— (a) that the company if still existing would
be legally or equitably bound to carry out, complete or give effect to some
dealing, transaction or matter; and (b) that in order to carry out,
complete or give effect thereto some purely administrative act, not
discretionary, should have been done by or on behalf of the company, or
should be done by or on behalf of the company if still existing,
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the Registrar may, as representing the company or its liquidator under this
section, do or cause to be done any such act. (2) The Registrar may execute
or sign any relevant instrument or document adding a memorandum stating
that he has done so in pursuance of this section, and the execution or
signature shall have the same force, validity and effect as if the company
if existing had duly executed such instrument or document. Outstanding
assets of defunct company to vest in Registrar 310. (1) Where, after a
company has been dissolved, there remains any outstanding property, movable
or immovable, including things in action and whether within or outside
Malaysia which was vested in the company or to which it was entitled, or
over which it had a disposing power at the time it was so dissolved, but
which was not got in, realized upon or otherwise disposed of or dealt with
by the company or its liquidator, the property except called and uncalled
capital shall, for the purposes of the following sections of this
Subdivision and notwithstanding any written law or rule of law to the
contrary, by the operation of this section be and become vested in the
Registrar for all the estate and interest therein, legal or equitable, of
the company or its liquidator at the date the company was dissolved,
together with all claims, rights and remedies which the company or its
liquidator then had in respect thereof. (2) Where any claim, right or
remedy of the liquidator may, under this Act, be made, exercised or availed
of only with the approval or concurrence of the Court or some other person,
the Registrar may, for the purposes of this section, make, exercise or
avail himself of that claim, right or remedy without that approval or
concurrence. Outstanding interests in property how disposed of 311. (1)
Upon proof to the satisfaction of the Registrar that there is vested in him
by operation of section 310 or by operation of any corresponding previous
written law or of a law of a designated country corresponding with section
318 any estate or interest in property, whether solely or together with any
other person, of a
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beneficial nature and not merely held in trust, the Registrar may sell or
otherwise dispose of or deal with such estate or interest or any part
thereof as he sees fit. (2) The Registrar may sell or otherwise dispose of
or deal with the property either solely or in concurrence with any other
person in such manner for such consideration by public auction, public
tender or private contract upon such terms and conditions as he thinks fit,
with power to rescind any contract and resell or otherwise dispose of or
deal with such property as he thinks expedient, and may make, execute, sign
and give such contracts, instruments and documents as he thinks necessary.
(3) The Registrar shall be remunerated by such commission, whether by way
of percentage or otherwise, as is prescribed in respect of the exercise of
the powers conferred upon him by subsection (1). (4) The moneys received by
the Registrar in the exercise of any of the powers conferred on him by this
Subdivision shall be applied in defraying all costs, expenses, commission
and fees incidental thereto and thereafter to any payment authorized by
this Subdivision and the surplus, if any, shall be dealt with as if they
were unclaimed moneys under the law relating to unclaimed moneys. Liability
of Registrar and Government as to property vested in Registrar 312.
Property vested in the Registrar by operation of this Subdivision or by
operation of any corresponding previous written law shall be liable and
subject to all charges, claims and liabilities imposed thereon or affecting
the property by reason of any statutory provision as to rates, taxes,
charges or any other matter or thing to which the property would have been
liable or subject had the property continued in the possession, ownership
or occupation of the company; but there shall not be imposed on the
Registrar or the Government any duty, obligation or liability whatsoever to
do or suffer any act or thing required by any such statutory provision to
be done or suffered by the owner or occupier other than the satisfaction or
payment of any such charges, claims or liabilities out of the assets of the
company so far as they are in the opinion of the Registrar properly
available for and applicable to the payment.
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313. (1) The Registrar shall— (a) record in the register of companies a
statement of any property coming to his hand or under his control or to his
knowledge vested in him by operation of this Subdivision and of his
dealings therewith; (b) keep accounts of all moneys arising therefrom and
of how they have been disposed of; and (c) keep all accounts, vouchers,
receipts and papers relating to the property and moneys. (2) The Auditor
General shall have all the powers in respect of those accounts as are
conferred upon him by any Act relating to audit of public accounts.
DIVISION 5
WINDING UP OF UNREGISTERED COMPANIES
389
315. (1) Subject to this Division any unregistered company may be wound up
under this Part, which Part shall apply to an unregistered company with the
following adaptations: (a) the principal place of business of the company
in Malaysia shall for all the purposes of the winding up be the registered
office of the company; (b) no such company shall be wound up voluntarily;
and (c) the circumstances in which the company may be wound up are— (i) if
the company is dissolved or has ceased to have a place of business in
Malaysia or has a place of business in Malaysia only for the purpose of
winding up its affairs or has ceased to carry on business in Malaysia; (ii)
if the company is unable to pay its debts; and (iii) if the Court is of
opinion that it is just and equitable that the company should be wound up.
(2) An unregistered company shall be deemed to be unable to pay its debts
if— (a) a creditor by assignment or otherwise to whom the company is
indebted in a sum exceeding five hundred ringgit then due has served on the
company, by leaving at its principal place of business in Malaysia or by
delivering to the secretary or some director, manager or principal officer
of the company or by otherwise serving in such manner as the Court approves
or directs, a demand under his hand requiring the company to pay the sum so
due and the company has for three weeks after the service of the demand
neglected to pay the sum or to secure or compound for it to the
satisfaction of the creditor; (b) any action or other proceeding has been
instituted against any member for any debt or demand due or claimed to be
due from the company or from him in his character of member, and, notice in
writing of the institution of the action or proceeding having been served
on the company by leaving it at its principal place of business in Malaysia
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PART XI
VARIOUS TYPES OF COMPANIES, ETC.
DIVISION 1
INVESTMENT COMPANIES
393
320. An investment company shall not borrow an amount if that amount or the
sum of that amount and any amounts previously borrowed by it and not repaid
exceeds an amount equivalent to twice its net tangible assets. Restriction
on investments of investment companies 321. (1) An investment company shall
not invest an amount in a corporation if that amount, or the sum of that
amount and amounts previously invested by it in that corporation and still
so invested exceeds an amount equivalent to ten per centum of the net
tangible assets of the investment company. (2) An investment company shall
not invest an amount in the ordinary shares of a corporation if that
amount, or the sum of that amount and amounts previously invested by it in
the ordinary shares of that corporation and still so invested exceeds an
amount equivalent to ten per centum of the subscribed ordinary share
capital of the corporation. (3) Subsection (2) shall not apply in respect
of a wholly-owned subsidiary of an investment company for the purpose of
carrying out nominee, underwriting, dealing or other functions incidental
to the business of an investment company. Restriction on underwriting by
investment companies 322. (1) An investment company shall not underwrite
any issue of authorized securities to an amount that, when added to the
amount or amounts, if any, to which it has previously underwritten a
current issue or issues of other authorized securities (not being an amount
or amounts in respect of which the underwriting obligation has been
discharged), exceeds an amount equivalent to forty per centum of its net
tangible assets. (2) An investment company shall not underwrite any issue
of non-authorized securities to an amount that, when added to the amount or
amounts, if any, to which it has previously underwritten a current issue or
issues of other non-authorized securities (not being an amount or amounts
in respect of which the underwriting obligation has been discharged),
exceeds an amount equivalent to twenty per centum of its net tangible
assets.
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Provisions for unloading securities underwritten and not taken up (3) Where
— (a) an investment company has underwritten any issue of securities and,
in relation to the underwriting, has not contravened subsection (1) or (2);
and (b) the investment company, as a result of the underwriting, invests in
a corporation, being an investment contrary to section 321, the investment
company shall be deemed not to have contravened that section by reason of
so investing in the corporation if, at the expiration of twelve months
after so investing— (c) the amount invested by it in the corporation does
not exceed an amount equivalent to ten per centum of the net tangible
assets of the investment company; and (d) it does not hold more than five
per centum of the subscribed ordinary share capital of the corporation. (4)
This section extends to and in relation to sub-underwriting as if the sub-
underwriting were underwriting. Interpretation (5) In this section—
“authorized securities” means securities in which, by any written law
trustees are authorized to invest trust funds in their hands; “non-
authorized securities” means securities other than authorized securities.
Special requirements as to articles and prospectus 323. An investment
company shall not issue a prospectus or permit a prospectus to be issued on
its behalf unless the prospectus specifies— (a) the type of security in
which it is among the objects of the company to invest; and
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(2) An investment company shall show separately in the profit and loss
account, in addition to any other matters required to be shown therein,
income from underwriting (including subunderwriting). Investment
fluctuation reserve 327. The net profits and losses of an investment
company from the purchase and sale of securities shall be respectively
credited and debited by the company to a reserve account to be kept by it
and to be called the “investment fluctuation reserve”. Penalties 328. (1)
If default is made by an investment company in complying with this Division
the investment company and every officer of the investment company who is
in default shall be guilty of an offence against this Act. Penalty:
Imprisonment for *five years or thirty thousand ringgit. Default penalty:
Five hundred ringgit. (2) No transaction entered into by the company shall
be invalid by reason only of the default.
DIVISION 2 FOREIGN COMPANIES
Foreign companies to which this Division applies 329. This Division applies
to a foreign company only if it has a place of business or is carrying on
business within Malaysia. Interpretation 330. (1) In this Division, unless
the contrary intention appears— “agent” means the person named in a
memorandum of appointment or power of attorney lodged under paragraph
332(1)(e) or subsection 333(6) or under any corresponding previous written
law;
*NOTE—Previously “two years or five thousand ringgit”–see Companies
(Amendment) Act 1986 [Act A657].
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and the Registrar may on the payment of the appropriate fees and subject to
this Act and any condition which he may impose register the company under
this Division by registration of the documents. (1A) The Registrar shall
issue a certificate in the prescribed form of every registration of a
foreign company and the certificate shall be conclusive evidence that the
requirements as to registration have been complied with. (2) Where a
memorandum of appointment or power of attorney lodged with the Registrar in
pursuance of paragraph (1)(e) is executed by a person on behalf of the
company, a copy of the deed or document by which that person is authorized
to execute the memorandum of appointment or power of attorney, verified by
statutory declaration in the prescribed manner, shall be lodged with the
Registrar and the copy shall for all purposes be regarded as an original.
(3) Subsection (1) shall apply to a foreign company which was not
registered under the repealed Act but which, immediately before the date of
commencement of this Act, had a place of business or was carrying on
business within Malaysia and, on that date, has a place of business or is
carrying on business within Malaysia, as if it established that place of
business or commenced to carry on that business on that date. Annual return
332A. (1) A foreign company shall lodge with the Registrar once in every
calendar year a return in the form prescribed by regulations made up to the
date of its annual general meeting. (2) The return shall be lodged within a
period of one month after the date to which it is made up or within such
further period as the Registrar, in special circumstances, allows. As to
registered office and agents of foreign companies 333. (1) A foreign
company shall have a registered office within Malaysia to which all
communications and notices may be addressed and which shall be open and
accessible to the public for not less than five hours between the hours of
nine o’clock in the morning and five o’clock in the evening each day,
Saturdays, weekly and public holidays excepted.
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(1A) Every foreign company shall, within one month after it establishes a
place of business or commences to carry on business within Malaysia, lodge
with the Registrar for registration notice in the prescribed form, of the
situation of its registered office in Malaysia and, unless the office is
open and accessible to the public during ordinary business hours on each
day (weekly and public holidays excepted), the days and hours during which
it is open and accessible to the public. (2) An agent, until he ceases to
be an agent in accordance with subsection (4), shall— (a) continue to be
the agent of the company; (b) be answerable for the doing of all such acts,
matters and things as are required to be done by the company by or under
this Act; or (c) be personally liable to all penalties imposed on the
company for any contravention of this Act unless he satisfies the court
hearing the matter that he should be not so liable. (3) A foreign company
or its agent may lodge with the Registrar a notice in writing stating that
the agent has ceased to be the agent or will cease to be the agent on a
date specified in the notice. (4) The agent in respect of whom the notice
has been lodged shall cease to be an agent on the expiration of a period of
twentyone days after the date of lodgment of the notice or on the date of
the appointment of another agent the memorandum of whose appointment has
been lodged in accordance with subsection (6), whichever is the earlier,
but if the notice states a date on which he is to so cease and the date is
later than the expiration of that period, on that date. (5) Where an agent
ceases to be the agent and the company is then without an agent in
Malaysia, if the company continues to carry on business or has a place of
business in Malaysia it shall, within twenty-one days after the agent
ceases to be an agent, appoint an agents. (6) On the appointment of a new
agent the company shall lodge a memorandum of the appointment or power of
attorney and a statutory declaration in accordance with subsection 332(1)
and, if not
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the foreign company shall, within one month or within such further period
as the Registrar in special circumstances allows after the change or
alteration, lodge with the Registrar particulars of the change or
alteration and such documents as the regulations require. Second Schedule
fee payable (1A) Upon receipt of the aforesaid particulars of the change or
alteration the Registrar shall subject to this Act register the change or
alteration. (2) If a foreign company increases its authorized share capital
it shall, within one month or within such further period as the Registrar
in special circumstances allows after the increase, lodge with the
Registrar notice of the amount from which and of the amount to which it has
been so increased. (3) If a foreign company not having a share capital
increases the number of its members beyond the registered number it shall,
within one month or within such further period as the Registrar in special
circumstance allows after the increase was resolved on or took place, lodge
with the Registrar notice of the increase. (4) If any order is made by a
Court under any law in force in the country in which a foreign company is
incorporated which corresponds to section 176 the company shall, within one
month or within such further period as the Registrar in special
circumstances allows after the order was made, lodge with the Registrar an
office copy of that order. Balance sheets 336. (1) Subject to this section
a foreign company shall, within two months of its annual general meeting,
lodge with the Registrar a copy of its balance sheet made up to the end of
its last financial year in such form and containing such particulars and
accompanied by copies of such documents as the company is required to
annex, attach or send with its balance sheet by the law for the time being
applicable to that company in the place of its incorporation or origin,
together with a statutory declaration in the prescribed form verifying that
the copies are true copies of the documents so required.
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(2) The Registrar may, if he is of the opinion that the balance sheet and
other documents referred to in subsection (1) do not sufficiently disclose
the company’s financial position, require the company to lodge a balance
sheet within such period, in such form and containing such particulars and
to annex thereto such documents as the Registrar by notice in writing to
the company requires, but this subsection does not authorize the Registrar
to require a balance sheet to contain any particulars or the company to
annex, attach or to send any documents that would not be required to be
furnished if the company were a public company incorporated under this Act.
(3) The company shall comply with the requirements set out in the notice.
(4) Where a foreign company is not required by the law of the place of its
incorporation or origin to hold an annual general meeting and prepare a
balance sheet, the company shall prepare and lodge with the Registrar a
balance sheet within such period, in such form and containing such
particulars and to annex thereto such documents as the directors of the
company would have been required to prepare or obtain if the company were a
public company incorporated under this Act. (5) In addition to the balance
sheet and other documents required to be lodged with the Registrar by
subsections (1) to (4), a foreign company shall lodge with the Registrar
with the balance sheet and other documents a duly audited statement showing
its assets used in and liabilities arising out of its operations in
Malaysia as at the date to which its balance sheet was made up and a duly
audited profit and loss account which, so far as is practicable, complies
with the requirements of the Ninth Schedule and which gives a true and fair
view of the profit or loss arising out of the company’s operations in
Malaysia for the last preceding financial year of the company: Provided
that— (a) the company shall be entitled to make such apportionments of
expenses incurred in connection with operations or administration affecting
both Malaysia and elsewhere and to add such notes and explanations as in
its opinion are necessary or desirable in order to give a true and fair
view of the profit or loss of its operations in Malaysia; and
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(b) the Registrar may waive compliance with this subsection in relation to
any foreign company if he is satisfied that— (i) it is impractical to
comply with this subsection having regard to the nature of the company’s
operations in Malaysia; (ii) it would be of no real value having regard to
the amount involved; (iii) it would involve expense unduly out of
proportion to its value; or (iv) it would be misleading or harmful to the
business of the company or to any company which is deemed by virtue of
section 6 to be related to the company. (6) A statement and profit and loss
account shall be deemed to have been duly audited for the purposes of
subsection (5) if it is accompanied by a report by an approved company
auditor which complies with section 174 and accompanied by a statutory
declaration by the agent or, where the agent is not primarily responsible
for the financial management of the company, by the person so responsible
setting forth his opinion as to the correctness or otherwise of the
statement and profit and loss account. (7) (Deleted by Act A836). Accounts
to be kept by foreign companies 336A. (1) Every foreign company and the
directors and managers thereof shall cause to be kept such accounting and
other records in Malaysia as will sufficiently explain the transactions and
financial position of the foreign company (arising out of its operations in
Malaysia) and shall cause those records to be kept in such a manner as to
enable them to be conveniently and properly audited. (1A) The records
referred to in subsection (1) shall be audited by a person approved under
section 8. (2) Every foreign company and the directors and managers thereof
shall cause appropriate entries to be made in the accounting and other
records within sixty days of the completion of the transactions to which
they relate.
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405
(3) Subsections 167(2), (3), (6) and (7) shall apply to foreign companies
as if for references to “company” there were substituted references to
“foreign company” . As to fee payable on registration of foreign company
because of establishment of a share register in Malaysia 337. (1) Where, on
the registration of a company as a foreign company or on the lodging by a
foreign company of a notice under subsection 335(2), the Registrar
certifies in writing that he is satisfied that the company has established
in Malaysia a share transfer or share registration office but has not
otherwise carried on, is not otherwise carrying on and does not propose
otherwise to carry on business in Malaysia, the liability to pay such part,
if any, of the fee payable under item 18 or 19 of the Second Schedule in
respect of the registration or the lodging of the notice as exceeds one
thousand ringgit is, by force of this section, suspended until the company
commences otherwise to carry on business in Malaysia or fails to comply
with subsection (2), whichever first occurs, but thereupon the company is
liable to pay to the Registrar that part of that fee. (2) A company shall,
so long as a suspension under subsection (1) of liability to pay a fee in
respect of the company continues, lodge with the Registrar in each year at
the time when a copy of its balance sheet is lodged with the Registrar a
notice in the prescribed form containing the prescribed particulars with
respect to the business being carried on in Malaysia by the company. (3)
Where a foreign company in respect of which the Registrar has issued a
certificate under subsection (1) commences to carry on business in Malaysia
otherwise than by reason of establishing or using a share transfer or share
registration office, the company shall, within fourteen days after so
commencing, lodge with the Registrar notice thereof in the prescribed form.
Obligation to state name of foreign company, whether limited, and place
where incorporated 338. (1) A foreign company shall— (a) conspicuously
exhibit outside its registered office and every place of business
established by it in Malaysia in romanised letters its name and the place
where it is formed or incorporated;
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(b) cause its name, company number and the place where it is formed or
incorporated to be stated in legible romanised letters on all its bill-
heads and letter paper and in all its notices, prospectuses and other
official publications; and (c) if the liability of its members is limited
(unless the last word of its name is the word “Berhad” or “Limited” or the
abbreviation “Bhd.” or “Ltd.”), cause notice of that fact— (i) to be stated
in legible characters in every prospectus issued by it and in all its bill-
heads, letter paper, notices, and other official publications in Malaysia;
and (ii) except in the case of a banking corporation, to be exhibited
outside its registered office and every place of business established by it
in Malaysia. (2) Where the name of a foreign company is indicated on the
outside of its registered office or any place of business established by it
in Malaysia or on any of the documents referred to in subsection (1) in
characters or in any other way than by the use of romanised letters, the
provisions of this section relating to the exhibition or statement of its
name shall be deemed not to have been complied with unless the name of the
company is exhibited outside its office or place of business or stated on
the document in romanised letters not less large than any of the characters
so exhibited or stated on the relevant office, place of business or
document. (3) In this section, “company number” means the number allocated
by the Registrar to a foreign company on its registration. Service of
notice 339. Any document required to be served on a foreign company shall
be sufficiently served— (a) if addressed to the foreign company and left at
or sent by post to its registered office in Malaysia; (b) if addressed to
an agent of the company and left at or sent by post to his registered
address; or
Companies
407
(c) in the case of a foreign company which has ceased to maintain a place
of business in Malaysia if addressed to the foreign company and left at or
sent by post to its registered office in the place of its incorporation.
Cesser of business in Malaysia 340. (1) If a foreign company ceases to have
a place of business or to carry on business in Malaysia, it shall, within
seven days after so ceasing, lodge with the Registrar notice of that fact,
and as from the day on which the notice is so lodged its obligation to
lodge any document (not being a document that ought to have been lodged
before that day) with the Registrar shall cease, and the Registrar shall,
upon the expiration of twelve months after lodging of the notice, remove
the name of that foreign company from the register. (2) If a foreign
company goes into liquidation or is dissolved in its place of incorporation
or origin— (a) each person who, immediately prior to the commencement of
the liquidation proceedings, was an agent shall, within one month after the
commencement of the liquidation or the dissolution or within such further
time as the Registrar in special circumstances allows, lodge or cause to be
lodged with the Registrar notice of that fact and, when a liquidator is
appointed, notice of his appointment; and (b) the liquidator shall, until a
liquidator for Malaysia is duly appointed by the Court, have the powers and
functions of a liquidator for Malaysia. (3) A liquidator of a foreign
company appointed for Malaysia by the Court or a person exercising the
powers and functions of such a liquidator— (a) shall, before any
distribution of the foreign company’s assets is made, by advertisement in a
newspaper circulating generally in each country where the foreign company
had been carrying on business prior to the liquidation if no liquidator has
been appointed for that place, invite all creditors to make their claims
against the foreign company within a reasonable time prior to the
distribution;
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(b) shall not, without obtaining an order of the Court except as otherwise
provided in subsection (7), pay out any creditor to the exclusion of any
other creditor of the foreign company; and (c) shall, unless otherwise
ordered by the Court, only recover and realize the assets of the foreign
company in Malaysia and shall, subject to subsection (7), pay the net
amount so recovered and realized to the liquidator of that foreign company
for the place where it was formed or incorporated after paying any debts
and satisfying any liabilities incurred in Malaysia by the foreign company.
(4) Where a foreign company has been wound up, so far as its assets in
Malaysia are concerned and there is no liquidator for the place of its
incorporation or origin, the liquidator may apply to the Court for
directions as to the disposal of the net amount recovered in pursuance of
subsection (3). (5) On receipt of a notice from an agent that the company
has been dissolved the Registrar shall remove the name of the company from
the register. (6) Where the Registrar has reasonable cause to believe that
a foreign company has ceased to carry on business or to have a place of
business in Malaysia, the provisions of this Act relating to the striking
off the register of the names of defunct companies shall, with such
adaptations as are necessary, extend and apply accordingly. (7) Section 292
shall apply to a foreign company wound up or dissolved pursuant to this
section as if for references to a company there were substituted references
to a foreign company. Restriction on use of certain names 341. (1) Except
with the consent of the Minister, a foreign company shall not be registered
by a name that, in the opinion of the Registrar, is undesirable or is a
name, or a name of a kind, that the Minister has directed the Registrar not
to accept for registration. (2) Except with the consent of the Minister,
any change in the name of a foreign company shall not be registered if in
the opinion of the Registrar the new name of the company is undesirable or
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(5) Every such register as aforesaid shall be kept in the manner provided
by Division 4 of Part V as though the register were the register of a
company and transfers shall be effected on the register in the same manner
and at the same charges as on the principal register of the company and
transfer lodged at its registered office in Malaysia shall be binding on
the company and the Court shall have the same powers in relation to
rectification of the register as it has in respect of the register of a
company incorporated in Malaysia. (6) Where a foreign company opens a
branch register in Malaysia it shall, within fourteen days after the
opening thereof, lodge with the Registrar notice of that fact specifying
the address where the register is kept. (7) Where any change is made in the
place where the register is kept or where the register is discontinued the
company shall, within fourteen days of the change or discontinuance, lodge
notice of the change or discontinuance with the Registrar. (8) Where a
company or corporation is entitled pursuant to a law of the place of
incorporation of a foreign company corresponding with section 180 to give
notice to a dissenting shareholder in that foreign company that it desires
to acquire any of his shares registered on a branch register kept in
Malaysia, this section shall cease to apply to that foreign company until—
(a) the shares have been acquired; or (b) that company or corporation has
ceased to be entitled to acquire the shares. Registration of shares in
branch register 343. Subject to this Act, on application in that behalf by
a member resident in Malaysia, the foreign company shall register in a
branch register of the company the shares held by a member which are
registered in any other register kept by the company. Removal of shares
from branch register 344. Subject to this Act, on application in that
behalf by a member holding shares registered in a branch register, the
foreign company shall remove the shares from the branch register and
register them in such other register within Malaysia as is specified in the
application.
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415
(b) shall, before making any such order, satisfy itself that such an order
would not do injustice to the company or to any member or creditor thereof,
(c) where any such order is made, may give such ancillary or consequential
directions as it thinks fit; and (d) may determine what notice or summons
is to be given to other persons of the intention to make any such
application or of the intention to make such an order, and whether and how
it should be given or served and whether it should be advertised in any
newspaper. (4) The Court (whether the company is in process of being wound
up or not) may enlarge or abridge any time for doing any act or taking any
proceeding allowed or limited by this Act upon such terms, if any, as the
justice of the case may require and any such enlargement may be ordered
although the application for the same is not made until after the time
originally allowed or limited. Privileged communications 356. No inspector
appointed under this Act shall require disclosure by an advocate of any
privileged communication made to him in that capacity, except as respects
the name and address of his client. 357. (Deleted by Act A836).
Form of registers, etc. 358. (1) For the purposes of this Act any register,
index, minute book or book of account may be kept either by making entries
in a bound book or by recording the matters in question in any other
permanent manner. (2) Where any register, index, minute book or book of
account required by this Act to be kept is not kept by making entries in a
bound book, but by some other means— (a) reasonable precautions shall be
taken for guarding against falsification and for facilitating the discovery
of any falsification; and
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417
(2) Any person permitted by this Act to inspect any register, minute book
or document of a corporation may make copies of or take extracts from it
and any officer of the corporation who fails to allow any person so
permitted to make a copy of or take extracts from the register, minute book
or documents, as the case may be, shall be guilty of an offence against
this Act. Translations of instruments 360. (1) Where under this Act a
corporation is required to lodge with the Registrar any instrument,
certificate, contract or document or a certified copy thereof and the same
is not written in the national language or in English the corporation shall
lodge at the same time with the Registrar a certified translation thereof
either in the national language or in English. (2) Where under this Act a
corporation is required to make available for public inspection any
instrument, certificate, contract or document and the same is not written
in the national language or in English the corporation shall keep at its
registered office in Malaysia a certified translation thereof either in the
national language or in English. (3) Where any accounts, minute books or
other records of a corporation required by this Act to be kept are not kept
in the national language or in English, the directors of the corporation
shall cause a true translation of such accounts, minute books and other
records to be made from time to time at intervals of not more than seven
days and shall cause such translations to be kept with the original
accounts, minute books and other records for so long as the original
accounts, minute books and other records are required by this Act to be
kept. (4) Notwithstanding subsections (1), (2) and (3) the Registrar may
require any company to file any instrument, certificate, contract or
document including any accounts, minute books or other records of a
corporation or a certified copy thereof in the national language.
Certificate of incorporation conclusive evidence 361. A certificate of
incorporation under the hand and seal of the Registrar shall be conclusive
evidence that all the requirements of this Act in respect of registration
and of matters precedent and
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incidental thereto have been complied with, and that the company referred
to therein is duly incorporated under this Act. Court may compel compliance
362. (1) If any person in contravention of this Act refuses or fails to
permit the inspection of any register, minute book or document or to supply
a copy of any register, minute book or document the Court may by order
compel an immediate inspection of the register, minute book or document or
order the copy to be supplied. (2) If any officer or former officer of a
company has failed or omitted to do any act, matter or thing which by or
under this Act he is or was required or directed to do, the Court on the
application of the Registrar or any member of the company or the Official
Receiver or liquidator may by order require that officer or former officer
to do the act, matter or thing forthwith or within such time as is allowed
by the order, and for the purpose of complying with any such order a former
officer shall be deemed to have the same status, powers and duties as he
had at the time the act, matter or thing should have been done.
DIVISION 2 OFFENCES
419
(2) Subsection (1) shall not apply in the case of the shares of any
corporation which, after notice of intention in the form prescribed to
apply for exemption from subsection (1) has been advertised in a newspaper
circulating generally throughout Malaysia, has applied to the Yang di-
Pertuan Agong for exemption and the application has on the recommendation
of the Minister been granted, but the exemption may at any time be revoked
by order of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. (3) A person shall not make an offer
to the public or to any member of the public (not being a person whose
ordinary business it is to buy or sell shares, whether as principal or
agent) of any shares for purchase. (4) Subsection (3) shall not apply— (a)
where the shares to which the offer relates are shares of a class which are
quoted on, or in respect of which permission to deal has been granted by,
any prescribed Stock Exchange and the offer so states and specifies the
Stock Exchange; (b) where the shares to which the offer relates are shares
which a corporation has allotted or agreed to allot with a view to their
being offered for sale to the public and the offer is accompanied by a
document that complies with all enactments and rules of law as to
prospectuses; (c) to any application for shares in or debentures of a
corporation or to any invitation to deposit money with or lend money to a
corporation which is issued, circulated, distributed or made subject to and
in accordance with Division 1 of Part IV in accordance with the provisions
of Division 3 of Part IV of the Securities Commission Act 1993; (d) where
the offer relates to— (i) an interest to which Division 5 of Part IV
applies and is accompanied by a statement in writing as required by that
Division; or (ii) deposits or loans to a corporation of the kind referred
to in subsection 38(6); or
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(2) Every person who in any return, report, certificate, balance sheet or
other document required by or for the purposes of this Act makes or
authorizes the making of a statement false or misleading in any material
particular knowing it to be false or misleading or intentionally omits or
authorizes the omission or accession of any matter or thing thereby making
the document misleading in a material respect shall be guilty of an offence
against this Act. Penalty: Imprisonment for *ten years or two hundred and
fifty thousand ringgit or both. (3) For the purposes of subsection (2)
where a person at a meeting votes in favour of the making of a statement
referred to in that subsection knowing it to be false, he shall be deemed
to have authorized the making of that statement. False reports 364A. (1) An
officer of a corporation who, with intent to deceive, makes or furnishes or
knowingly and wilfully authorizes or permits the making or furnishing of,
any false or misleading statement or report to— (a) a director, auditor,
member, debenture holder or trustee for debenture holders of the
corporation; (b) in the case of a corporation that is a subsidiary, an
auditor of the holding company; (c) a prescribed Stock Exchange whether
within or without Malaysia or an officer thereof; or (d) the Securities
Commission established under the Securities Commission Act 1993 [Act 498],
relating to the affairs of the corporation shall be guilty of an offence
against this Act. Penalty: Imprisonment for *ten years or two hundred and
fifty thousand ringgit or both. (2) In subsection (1) “officer” includes a
person who at any time has been an officer of the corporation.
*NOTE—Previously “five years or thirty thousand ringgit”–see Companies
(Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1992 [Act A836].
Companies Dividends payable from profits only
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(b) with intent to defraud creditors of the company, has made or caused to
be made any gift or transfer of or charge on, or has caused or connived at
the levying of any execution against, the property of the company; or (c)
with intent to defraud creditors of the company, has concealed or removed
any part of the property of the company since or within two months before
the date of any unsatisfied judgment or order for payment of money obtained
against the company, shall be guilty of an offence against this Act.
Penalty: Imprisonment for *ten years or two hundred and fifty thousand
ringgit or both. General penalty provisions 369. (1) A person who— (a) does
that which by or under this Act he is forbidden to do; (b) does not do that
which by or under this Act he is required or directed to do; or (c)
otherwise contravenes or fails to comply with any provision of this Act,
shall be guilty of an offence against this Act. (2) A person who is guilty
of an offence against this Act shall be liable on conviction to a penalty
or punishment not exceeding the penalty or punishment expressly mentioned
as the penalty or punishment for the offence, or if a penalty or punishment
is not so mentioned, to a penalty not exceeding †five thousand ringgit. (3)
The penalty or punishment, pecuniary or other, set out in, or at the foot
of, any section or part of a section of this Act shall indicate that the
offence is punishable upon conviction by a penalty or punishment not
exceeding that so set out and where the penalty or punishment is expressed
to apply to a part only of the section, it shall apply to that part only.
*NOTE—Previously “five years or thirty thousand ringgit”–see Companies
(Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1992 [Act A836]. †NOTE—Previously “two hundred and
fifty ringgit”–see Companies (Amendment) Act 1985 [Act A616].
Companies Default penalties
427
370. (1) Where in, or at the foot of, any section or part of a section of
this Act there appears the expression “Default penalty” it shall indicate
that any person who is convicted of an offence against this Act in relation
to that section or part shall be guilty of a further offence against this
Act if the offence continues after he is so convicted and liable to an
additional penalty for each day during which the offence so continues of
not more than the amount expressed in the section or part as the amount of
the default penalty or, if an amount is not so expressed, of not more than
*two hundred ringgit. (2) Where any offence is committed by a person by
reason of his failure to comply with any provision of this Act by or under
which he is required or directed to do anything within a particular period,
that offence, for the purposes of subsection (1) shall be deemed to
continue so long as the thing so required or directed to be done by him
remains undone, notwithstanding that the period has elapsed. (3) For the
purposes of any provision of this Act which provides that an officer of a
company or corporation who is in default is guilty of an offence against
this Act or is liable to a penalty or punishment the phrase “officer who is
in default” or any like phrase means any officer of the company or
corporation who knowingly and wilfully— (a) is guilty of the offence; or
(b) authorizes or permits the commission of the offence. Proceedings how
and when taken 371. (1) Except where provision is otherwise made in this
Act proceedings, for any offence against this Act may be taken by the
Registrar or, with the written consent of the Minister, by any person. (2)
Notwithstanding anything in any Act proceedings for any offence against
this Act may be brought within the period of seven years after the
commission of the alleged offence or, with the consent of the Minister, at
any later time.
*NOTE—Previously “fifty ringgit”–see Companies (Amendment) Act 1986 [Act
A657].
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(3) Proceedings for any offence against this Act other than an offence
punishable with imprisonment for a term exceeding three years may be
prosecuted in a Magistrate’s Court and in the case of an offence punishable
with imprisonment for a term of three years or more shall be prosecuted in
the Sessions Court or in the High Court. (4) (Deleted by Act A836). (4A)
(Deleted by Act A836). (5) Any punishment authorized by this Act may be
imposed by a Sessions Court notwithstanding that it is a greater punishment
than that Court is otherwise empowered to impose. (6) The Registrar and any
officer authorized by him in writing shall have the right to appear and be
heard before a Magistrate’s Court or a Sessions Court in any proceedings
for an offence against this Act. Compounding of offences 371A. (1) The
Registrar may, in a case where he deems fit to do so, compound any offence
committed by any person under this Act, by making a written offer to such
person to compound the offence by paying to the Registrar such sum of money
within such time as may be specified in the offer. (2) An offer under
subsection (1) may be made at any time after the offence has been
committed, but before any prosecution for it has been instituted, and where
the amount specified in the offer is not paid within the time specified in
the offer, or within such extended period as the Registrar may grant,
prosecution for the offence may be instituted at any time thereafter
against the person to whom the offer was made. (3) Where an offence has
been compounded under subsection (1), no prosecution shall thereafter be
instituted in respect of such offence against the person to whom the offer
to compound was made.
Companies
DIVISION 3 MISCELLANEOUS
429
Rules 372. The Rules Committee constituted under the Courts of Judicature
Act 1964 [Act 91], may, subject to and in accordance with the provisions of
that Act relating to the making of rules, makes rules— (a) with respect to
proceedings and the practice and procedure of the Court under this Act; (b)
with respect to any matter or thing which is by this Act required or
permitted to be prescribed by rules; (c) without limiting the generality of
the provisions of this section, with respect to Court fees and costs and
with respect to rules as to meetings ordered by the Court; and (d)
generally with respect to the winding up of companies. Regulations 373. (1)
The Minister may make regulations for or with respect to— (a) the duties
and functions of the Registrar, Regional Registrars, Deputy Registrars,
Assistant Registrars and other clerks and servants appointed to assist with
the administration of this Act; (b) the establishment and functions of
Regional Registries; (c) the lodging or registration of documents and the
time and manner of submission of documents for lodging or registration; (d)
prescribing forms for the purposes of this Act; (e) prescribing fees, not
in any case exceeding fifty ringgit, to be paid to the Registrar in respect
of matters or things not provided for in the Second Schedule in respect of
any document required to be lodged, filed, registered with or issued by the
Registrar under this or any other Act or for any act required to be
performed by the Registrar or for the inspection of any such document;
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(f) prescribing times for the lodging of any documents with the Registrar;
and (g) all matters or things which by this Act are required or permitted
to be prescribed otherwise than by rules or which are necessary or
expedient to be prescribed for giving effect to this Act. Power to amend
Schedules 374. The Minister may by order add to, delete, vary or amend all
the Schedules to this Act and such orders shall be published in the
Gazette.
S.S. 19 of 1928
The whole
The whole The whole The whole The whole Subsection 13(3)
431
(Omitted)
SECOND SCHEDULE [Sections 7, 337 and 373]
TABLE OF FEES TO BE PAID TO THE REGISTRAR RM sen
1. 2. 3.
30.00 150.00
1,000.00 3,000.00
(iii)
5,000.00
(iv)
8,000.00
432
(v)
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for registration of a company whose nominal share capital exceeds RM5
million but does not exceed RM10 million for registration of a company
whose nominal share capital exceeds RM10 million but does not exceed RM25
million for registration of a company whose nominal share capital exceeds
RM25 million but does not exceed RM50 million for registration of a company
whose nominal share capital exceeds RM50 million but does not exceed RM100
million for registration of a company whose nominal share capital exceeds
RM100 million
ACT 125
RM sen
10,000.00
(vi)
20,000.00
(vii)
40,000.00
(viii)
50,000.00
(ix) 4.
70,000.00
5. 6.
1,000.00 150.00
7. 8.
250.00 100.00
Companies
RM sen
433
250.00 50.00
9. 10.
For every approval of the Registrar to the change of the name of a foreign
company For every approval of the Registrar to the change of the status of
a company otherwise than a change of status to a public company For every
approval of the Registrar to the change of the status of a company to a
public company For every approval of the Registrar relating to the
commencement of business of a company (Deleted) On lodging any prospectus
or statement required under section 90 in relation to any other corporation
300.00 350.00
17.
150.00
18.
(b)
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On lodging by a foreign company of notice of increase in share capital—the
prescribed fee payable on the increase in share capital of a company
incorporated or registered under Part III. On lodging an application to the
Registrar under subsections 143(2) or 169(2) On lodging an annual return of
a public company having a share capital and of a foreign company On lodging
an annual return of any other company Fee for registration of a firm of
auditors On lodgement of request to the Registrar to exercise the powers
conferred by section 309 or 311 For every act done by the Registrar as
representing a defunct company under section 309 Remuneration of the
Registrar in respect of the exercise of the powers conferred upon him by
section 311
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RM sen
20.
100.00
21.
350.00
25.
500.00
26.
30 per cent of the balance amount (if any) after defraying all costs
expenses, commission and fees incidental to the disposal of interest in
property
26A. On the late lodgment of any document of a company under this Act after
the period prescribed by law or regulation, in addition to any other fee—
(a) fees applicable to a public company (i) more than 7 days but not more
than 3 months (ii) more than 3 months but not more than 6 months (iii) more
than 6 months but not more than 12 months (iv) more than 12 months 150.00
250.00
300.00
500.00
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(b) fees applicable to a private company (i) more than 7 days but not more
than 3 months (ii) more than 3 months but not more than 6 months (iii) more
than 6 months but not more than 12 months (iv) more than 12 months 26B. On
lodging any document of company to Registrar pursuant to other laws 27. 28.
29. 30. Application for licence of company secretary Renewal of licence of
company secretary Licence of company secretary For each search or an
inspection of a document or documents filed by or in relation to a
corporation— (i) physical file search (ii) microfilm search 31. For supply
of any copy or extract of any document— (i) certified—per page (ii)
uncertified—per page 31A. For supply of a print-out of— (i) information on
directorship of a person (ii) any information or statistical report on
companies 50.00 100.00 an additional fee of of RM2.00 per page or part of a
page if the information or report exceeds 50 pages 20.00 5.00 1.00 5.00
10.00 50.00 100.00 150.00 200.00 50.00 50.00 50.00 150.00
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For any information concerning a corporation supplied by the Registrar in
reply to a written application On lodging any other application to the
Registrar under this Act of which a fee is not prescribed by any item On
registering a Court Order On any subpoena served on the Registrar to
produce any document in his custody
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RM sen
10.00
33.
120.00
34. 35.
1. To carry on any other business which may seem to the company capable of
being conveniently carried on in connection with its business calculated
directly or indirectly to enhance the value of or render profitable any of
the company’s property or rights. 2. To acquire and undertake the whole or
any part of the business, property, and liabilities of any person or
company carrying on any business which the company is authorized to carry
on, or possessed of property suitable for the purposes of the company. 3.
To apply for, purchase, or otherwise acquire any patents, patent rights,
copyrights, trade marks, formulas, licences, concessions, and the like,
conferring any exclusive or non-exclusive or limited right to use, or any
secret or other information as to, any invention which may seem capable of
being used for any of the purposes of the company, or the acquisition of
which may seem calculated directly or indirectly to benefit the company;
and to use, exercise, develop, or grant licences in respect of, or
otherwise turn to account, the property, rights, or information so
acquired. 4. To amalgamate or enter into partnership or into arrangement
for sharing of profits, union of interest, co-operation, joint adventure,
reciprocal concession, or otherwise, with and person or company carrying on
or engaged in or about to carry on or engage in any business or transaction
which the company is authorized to carry on or engage in, or any business
or transaction capable of being conducted so as directly or indirectly to
benefit the company. 5. To take, or otherwise acquire, and hold, shares,
debentures, or other securities of any other company.
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25. To carry out all or any of the objects of the company and do all or any
of the above things in any part of the world and either as principal,
agent, contractor, or trustee, or otherwise, and by or through trustees or
agents or otherwise, and either alone or in conjuction with others. 26. To
do all such other things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment
of the objects and the exercise of the powers of the company.
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such part of the amount in respect of which the lien exists as is presently
payable, has been given to the registered holder for the time being of the
share, or the person entitled thereto by reason of his death or bankruptcy.
11. To give effect to any such sale the directors may authorize some person
to transfer the shares sold to the purchasers thereof. The purchaser shall
be registered as the holder of the shares comprised in any such transfer,
and he shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money,
nor shall his title to the shares be affected by any irregularity or
invalidity in the proceedings in reference to the sale. 12. The proceeds of
the sale shall be received by the company and applied in payment of such
part of the amount in respect of which the lien exists as is presently
payable, and the residue, if any, shall (subject to a like for sums not
presently payable as existed upon the shares before the sale) be paid to
the person entitled to the shares at the date of the sale. Calls on Shares
13. The directors may from time to time make calls upon the members in
respect of any money unpaid on their shares (whether on account of the
nominal value of the shares or by way of premium) and not by the conditions
of allotment thereof made payable at fixed times, provided that no call
shall exceed one-fourth of the nominal value of the share or be payable at
less than one month from the date fixed for the payment of the last
preceding call, and each member shall (subject to receiving at least
fourteen days’ notice specifying the time or times and place of payment)
pay to the company at the time or times and place so specified the amount
called on his shares. A call may be revoked or postponed as the directors
may determine. 14. A call shall be deemed to have been made at the time
when the resolution of the directors authorizing the call was passed and
may be required to be paid by instalments. 15. The joint holders of a share
shall be jointly and severally liable to pay all calls in respect thereof.
16. If a sum called in respect of a share is not paid before or on the day
appointed for payment thereof, the person from whom the sum is due shall
pay interest on the sum from the day appointed for payment thereof to the
time of actual payment at such rate not exceeding 8 per cent per annum as
the directors may determine, but the directors shall be at liberty to waive
payment of that interest wholly or in part. 17. Any sum which by the terms
of issue of a share becomes payable on allotment or at any fixed date,
whether on account of the nominal value of the share or by way of premium,
shall for the purposes of these regulations, be deemed to be a call duly
made and payable on the date on which by the terms of issue the same
becomes payable, and in case of non-payment all the relevant provisions of
these regulations as to payment of interest and expenses, forfeiture, or
otherwise shall apply as if the sum had become payable by virtue of a call
duly made and notified.
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18. The directors may, on the issue of shares, differentiate between the
holders as to the amount of calls to be paid and the times of payment. 19.
The directors may, if they think fit, receive from any member willing to
advance the same all or any part of the money uncalled and unpaid upon any
shares held by him, and upon all or any part of the money so advanced may
(until the same would, but for the advance, become payable) pay interest at
such rate not exceeding (unless the company in general meeting shall
otherwise direct) 8 per cent per annum as may be agreed upon between the
directors and the member paying the sum in advance. Transfer of Shares 20.
Subject to these regulations any member may transfer all or any of his
shares by instrument in writing in any usual or common form or in any other
form which the directors may approve. The instrument shall be executed by
or on behalf of the transferor and the transferor shall remain the holder
of the shares transferred until the transfer is registered and the name of
the transferee is entered in the register of members in respect thereof.
21. The instrument of transfer must be left for registration at the
registered office of the company together with such fee not exceeding
RM1.00 as the directors from time to time may require accompanied by the
certificate of the shares to which it relates and such other evidence as
the directors may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to
make the transfer, and thereupon the company shall, subject to the powers
vested in the directors by these regulations, register the transferee as a
shareholder and retain the instrument of transfer. 22. The directors may
decline to register any transfer of shares not being fully paid shares to a
person of whom they do not approve and may also decline to register any
transfer of shares on which the company has a lien. 23. The registration of
transfers may be suspended at such times and for such periods as the
directors may from time to time determine not exceeding in the whole thirty
days in any year. Transmission of Shares 24. In case of the death of a
member the survivor or survivors where the deceased was a joint holder, and
the legal personal representatives of the deceased where he was a sole
holder, shall be the only persons recognized by the company as having any
title to his interest in the shares; but nothing herein contained shall
release the estate of a deceased joint holder from any liability in respect
of any share which had been jointly held by him with other persons. 25. Any
person becoming entitled to a share in consequence of the death or
bankruptcy of a member may, upon such evidence being produced as may from
time to time properly be required by the directors and subject as
hereinafter provided, elect either to be registered himself as holder of
the share or to have some person nominated by him registered as the
transferee thereof, but the
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directors shall, in either case, have the same right to decline or suspend
registration as they would have had in the case of a transfer of the share
by that member before his death or bankruptcy. 26. If the person so
becoming entitled elects to be registered himself, he shall deliver or send
to the company a notice in writing signed by him stating that he so elects.
If he elects to have another person registered he shall testify his
election by executing to that person a transfer of the share. All the
limitations, restrictions, and provisions of these regulations relating to
the right to transfer and the registration of transfers of shares shall be
applicable to any such notice or transfer as aforesaid as if the death or
bankruptcy of the member had not occurred and the notice or transfer were a
transfer signed by that member. 27. Where the registered holder of any
share dies or becomes bankrupt his personal representative or the assignee
of his estate, as the case may be, shall, upon the production of such
evidence as may from time to time be properly required by the directors in
that behalf, be entitled to the same dividends and other advantages, and to
the same rights (whether in relation to meetings of the company, or to
voting, or otherwise), as the registered holder would have been entitled to
if he had not died or become bankrupt; and where two or more persons are
jointly entitled to any share in consequence of the death of the registered
holder they shall, for the purposes of these regulations, be deemed to be
joint holders of the share. Forfeiture of Shares 28. If a member fails to
pay any call or instalment of a call on the day appointed for payment
thereof, the directors may, at any time thereafter during such time as any
part of the call or instalment remains unpaid, serve a notice on him
requiring payment of so much of the call or instalment as is unpaid,
together with any interest which may have accrued. 29. The notice shall
name a further day (not earlier than the expiration of fourteen days from
the date of service of the notice) on or before which the payment required
by the notice is to be made, and shall state that in the event of non-
payment at or before the time appointed the shares in respect of which the
call was made will be liable to be forfeited. 30. If the requirements of
any such notice as aforesaid are not complied with, any share in respect of
which the notice has been given may, at any time thereafter, before the
payment required by the notice has been made, be forfeited by a resolution
of the directors to that effect. Such forfeiture shall include all
dividends declared in respect of the forfeited shares and not actually paid
before the forfeiture. 31. A forfeited share may be sold or otherwise
disposed of on such terms and in such manner as the directors think fit,
and at any time before a sale or disposition the forfeiture may be
cancelled on such terms as the directors think fit.
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32. A person whose shares have been forfeited shall cease to be a member in
respect of the forfeited shares, but shall, notwithstanding, remain liable
to pay to the company all money which, at the date of forfeiture, was
payable by him to the company in respect of the shares (together with
interest at the rate of 8 per cent per annum from the date of the
forfeiture on the money for the time being unpaid if the directors think
fit to enforce payment of the interest), but his liability shall cease if
and when the company receives payment in full of all such money in respect
of the shares. 33. A statutory declaration in writing that the declarant is
a director or the secretary of the company, and that a share in the
company, has been duly forfeited on a date stated in the declaration, shall
be conclusive evidence of the facts therein stated as against all persons
claiming to be entitled to the share. 34. The company may receive the
consideration, if any, given for a forfeited share on any sale or
disposition thereof and may execute a transfer of the share in favour of
the person to whom the share is sold or disposed of and he shall thereupon
be registered as the holder of the share, and shall not be bound to see to
the application of the purchase money, if any, nor shall his title to the
share be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings in
reference to the forfeiture, sale, or disposal of the share. 35. The
provisions of these regulations as to forfeiture shall apply in the case of
non-payment of any sum which, by the terms of issue of a share, becomes
payable at a fixed time, whether on account of the nominal value of the
share or by way of premium, as if the same had been payable by virtue of a
call duly made and notified. Conversion of Shares into Stock 36. The
company may by ordinary resolution passed at a general meeting convert any
paid-up shares into stock and reconvert any stock into paid-up shares of
any denomination. 37. The holders of stock may transfer the same or any
part thereof in the same manner and subject to the same regulations as and
subject to which the shares from which the stock arose might previously to
conversion have been transferred or as near thereto as circumstances admit;
but the directors may from time to time fix the minimum amount of stock
transferable and restrict or forbid the transfer of fractions of that
minimum, but the minimum shall not exceed the nominal amount of the shares
from which the stock arose. 38. The holders of stock shall, according to
the amount of the stock held by them, have the same rights, privileges and
advantages as regards dividends, voting at meetings of the company and
other matters as if they held the shares from which the stock arose, but no
such privilege or advantage (except participation in the dividends and
profits of the company and in the assets on winding up) shall be conferred
by any such aliquot part of stock which would not if existing in shares
have conferred that privilege or advantage.
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59. The instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing (in the common or
usual form) under the hand of the appointor or of his attorney duly
authorized in writing or, if the appointor is a corporation, either under
seal or under the hand of an officer or attorney duly authorized. A proxy
may but need not be a member of the company. The instrument appointing a
proxy shall be deemed to confer authority to demand or join in demanding a
poll. 60. Where it is desired to afford members an opportunity of voting
for or against a resolution the instrument appointing a proxy shall be in
the following form or a form as near thereto as circumstances admit: Berhad
I/We, ........................................ of .....................
being a member/members of the above-named company, hereby
appoint ....................... of ....................... or failing
him, ...................... of ......................, as my/our proxy to
vote for me/ us on my/our behalf at the [annual or extraordinary, as the
case may be] general meeting of the company, to be held on
the ............. day of ..........................
20 ......................, and at any adjournment thereof. Signed
this ...................... day of ......................
20 ...................... This form is to be used *in favour of of the
resolution.
against * Strike out whichever is not desired. [Unless otherwise
instructed, the proxy may vote as he thinks fit.]
61. The instrument appointing a proxy and the power of attorney or other
authority, if any, under which it is signed or a notarially certified copy
of that power or authority shall be deposited at the registered office of
the company, or at such other place within Malaysia as is specified for
that purpose in the notice convening the meeting, not less than forty-eight
hours before the time for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which
the person named in the instrument proposes to vote, or, in the case of a
poll, not less than twenty-four hours before the time appointed for the
taking of the poll, and in default the instrument of proxy shall not be
treated as valid. 62. A vote given in accordance with the terms of an
instrument of proxy or attorney shall be valid notwithstanding the previous
death or unsoundness of mind of the principal or revocation of the
instrument or of the authority under which the instrument was executed, or
the transfer of the share in respect of which the instrument is given, if
no intimation in writing of such death, unsoundness of mind, revocation, or
transfer as aforesaid has been received by the company at the registered
office before the commencement of the meeting or adjourned meeting at which
the instrument is used.
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63. At the first annual general meeting of the company all the directors
shall retire from office, and at the annual general meeting in every
subsequent year one-third of the directors for the time being, or, if their
number is not three or a multiple of three, then the number nearest one-
third, shall retire from office. 64. A retiring director shall be eligible
for re-election.
65. The directors to retire in every year shall be those who have been
longest in office since their last election, but as between persons who
became directors on the same day those to retire shall (unless they
otherwise agree among themselves) be determined by lot. 66. The company at
the meeting at which a director so retires may fill the vacated office by
electing a person thereto, and in default the retiring director shall, if
offering himself for re-election and not being disqualified under the Act
from holding office as a director, be deemed to have been re-elected,
unless at that meeting it is expressly resolved not to fill the vacated
office unless a resolution for the re-election of that director is put to
the meeting and lost. 67. The company may, from time to time by ordinary
resolution passed at a general meeting, increase or reduce the number of
directors, and may also determine in what rotation the increased or reduced
number is to go out of office. 68. The directors shall have power at any
time, and from time to time, to appoint any person to be a director, either
to fill a casual vacancy or as an addition to the existing directors, but
so that the total number of directors shall not at any time exceed the
number fixed in accordance with these regulations. Any director so
appointed shall hold office only until the next following annual general
meeting, and shall then be eligible for re-election but shall not be taken
into account in determining the directors who are to retire by rotation at
that meeting. 69. Subject to section 128, the company may by ordinary
resolution remove any director before the expiration of his period of
office, and may by an ordinary resolution appoint another person in his
stead; the person so appointed shall be subject to retirement at the same
time as if he had become a director on the day on which the director in
whose place he is appointed was last elected a director. 70. The
remuneration of the directors shall from time to time be determined by the
company in general meeting. That remuneration shall be deemed to accrue
from day to day. The directors may also be paid all travelling, hotel, and
other expenses properly incurred by them in attending and returning from
meetings of the directors or any committee of the directors or general
meetings of the company or in connection with the business of the company.
71. The shareholding qualification for directors may be fixed by the
company in general meeting.
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The office of director shall become vacant if the director— (a) ceases to
be a director by virtue of the Act;
ACT 125
Powers and Duties of Directors 73. The business of the company shall be
managed by the directors who may pay all expenses incurred in promoting and
registering the company, and may exercise all such powers of the company as
are not, by the Act or by these regulations, required to be exercised by
the company in general meeting, subject, nevertheless, to any of these
regulations, to the provisions of the Act, and to such regulations, being
not inconsistent with the aforesaid regulations or provisions, as may be
prescribed by the company in general meeting; but no regulation made by the
company in general meeting shall invalidate any prior act of the directors
which would have been valid if that regulation had not been made. 74. The
directors may exercise all the powers of the company to borrow money and to
mortgage or charge its undertaking, property, and uncalled capital, or any
part thereof, and to issue debentures and other securities whether outright
or as security for any debt, liability, or obligation of the company or of
any third party. 75. The directors may exercise all the powers of the
company in relation to any official seal for use outside Malaysia and in
relation to branch registers. 76. The directors may from time to time by
power of attorney appoint any corporation, firm, or person or body of
persons, whether nominated directly or indirectly by the directors, to be
the attorney of the company for such purposes and with such powers,
authorities, and discretions (not exceeding those vested in or exercisable
by the directors under these regulations) and for such period and subject
to such conditions as they may think fit, and any such