Company Constitution - Why, when and how.
Understanding the Role of a Constitution in Malaysian Companies: When and Why a Company Secretary Recommends Adoption The Constitution of a company serves as its foundational governance document, outlining the rules and procedures for internal management. In Malaysia, under the Companies Act 2016 (CA 2016) , companies are no longer mandated to adopt a constitution, marking a shift from the previous regime that required a Memorandum and Articles of Association (M&A). However, a constitution remains a critical tool for structuring a company’s operations, particularly in complex or shareholder-sensitive scenarios. As a Company Secretary (CoSec) , advising on its adoption requires balancing regulatory compliance, practical governance needs, and stakeholder interests. This article explores the circumstances under which a constitution is recommended, its benefits, and how its adoption aligns with corporate best practices in Malaysia. Extract of CA2016 1. What is a Consti...