By Nancy Nais
KUCHING, Nov 12: Some 94,229 companies and 3,158 limited liability partnerships (PLT) in Sarawak are registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM).
According to SSM chief executive officer Datuk Nor Azimah Abdul Aziz, the figures have shown an increase of 175 per cent for PLT companies compared to 1,146 registered five years ago.
As for companies in the State, SSM recorded an increase of 100 per cent, where only 46,628 registered five years ago.
Speaking at the launch of SSM Sarawak’s new office at Jalan Pending in Kuching, Nor Azimah said being the largest State in Malaysia, she believed the numbers would increase rapidly in the future.
“Although the Business Registration Act 1956 enforced by SSM does not apply in Sabah and Sarawak because all business registrations are under the jurisdiction of their respective State’s authority, it is not a problem at this moment.
“Entrepreneurs can still register their businesses with the local authorities in Sarawak or register their business entities under the Companies Act 2016 or the Limited Liability Partnership Act 2012, which SSM regulates,” Nor Azimah said.
SSM Sarawak’s new office in Kuching was launched by Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) caretaker minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.
Noting that business entities are the accelerator for the country’s economy in general, particularly in Sarawak, Nanta said they create various job opportunities for the people.
“Continuous employment offered by these business entities can maintain our economic growth rate, reduce the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and rebuild the economy.
“Sarawak is rich with natural resources such as petroleum and timber. In addition, there is palm oil, the rapid electronic manufacturing sector and biotechnology. These resources are not only generating an industrial economy through establishing many business entities but also helping the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that gives job opportunities to the people here,” Nanta said.
He encouraged entrepreneurs in Sarawak to register their businesses with SSM through the company or PLT entity.
Meanwhile, SSM also handed over donations worth RM75,000 from their corporate zakat and social corporate responsibility programme to 15 welfare homes and orphanages, including Seri Murni, Sarawak Cheshire Home, and Sarawak Association For The Welfare of Intellectually Disabled Children (Perkata). — DayakDaily
