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Sole Prop or Sdn Bhd? Your Guide to This Big Decision

Sheba Gumis, Partner, Skrine

28-Jul-25 11:00

Sole Prop or Sdn Bhd? Your Guide to This Big Decision

Should you start with a simple sole proprietorship or jump straight into a Sendirian Berhad (Sdn Bhd)? Choosing the right business structure is one of the first and most critical decisions an entrepreneur makes, with long-term consequences for liability, funding, and growth.

As part of a 3-part series on this very question today, Lawyer Sheba Gumis, a Partner at Skrine, joins us to provide a legal lens on this foundational choice. She argues that taking the "easy way out" with a sole proprietorship can create significant risks down the line and explains why converting structures is more complex than most founders assume.

We discuss:

  • The pros and cons of a sole proprietorship vs. a Sendirian Berhad (Sdn Bhd).

  • The single greatest risk of a sole proprietorship: unlimited personal liability.

  • When it makes strategic sense to transition to a Sdn Bhd.

  • The key benefits of a Sdn Bhd for scaling, fundraising, and limiting liability.

  • How your business structure impacts your future exit strategy.

For aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs in Malaysia, this is an essential guide to getting your business foundation right from day one.

Produced by: Roshan Kanesan

Presented by: Roshan Kanesan


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Categories:  Corporatesmanaging

Tags:  business structureLimited Liabilitycorporate lawsme malaysiaentrepreneurshipshareholders





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