Description
- A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) is an entity established by individuals or groups without direct government involvement, aiming to achieve specific social, welfare, or community objectives.
GOV Department
- The Registrar of Societies Malaysia (ROS) under the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kementerian Dalam Negeri, KDN) is responsible for the registration and regulation of NGOs in Malaysia.
License Name (Malay)
- Perakuan Pendaftaran Pertubuhan (Certificate of Organization Registration)
Details
To register an NGO, the following steps must be followed:
- Appoint a Minimum of 7 Members:
- This includes a chairman, secretary, treasurer, and other committee members.
- Select an Organization Name & Address:
- The name must be in Malay, with an English translation if necessary (e.g., "Pertubuhan Bulan Penuh (Full Moon Organization)").
- The official address determines the ROS branch that will process the application.
- Prepare the Organization’s Constitution:
- ROS provides a standard template, or organizations can draft their own constitution aligned with their objectives.
- Design an Emblem/Logo:
- A logo that represents the identity and purpose of the NGO must be submitted.
- Submit Information via the e-ROS System:
- The secretary must fill in all details correctly in the e-ROS system (https://www.eroses.gov.my/ros.php) before submitting the application.
Important Rules
NGOs must comply with the Societies Act 1966, which includes:
- Constitution Compliance:
- All activities must align with the approved constitution.
- Financial Management:
- Proper and transparent financial records must be maintained.
- Annual General Meetings (AGM):
- NGOs must hold AGMs as per their constitution.
Compound & Punishment
Failure to comply with the regulations can result in legal action, including:
- Fines:
- For example, an NGO and its five directors were fined RM242,000 by the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) for failing to submit financial statements within the stipulated timeframe.
- Imprisonment:
- Individuals involved in unauthorized organizations may face up to five years in prison or a fine of up to RM15,000, or both.
Advisor
Jeffrey Eh Hao Yih , Business Tech Advisor
Jeffrey has been providing expert guidance for businesses dealing with ongoing challenges. With his expertise, he aids clients in strategic business planning, streamlining operations, and enhancing productivity. Additionally, Jeffrey offers diverse business technology services to help digitize traditional businesses effectively.
Commonly Asked Question
A Pertubuhan is a non-governmental organization (NGO) registered under the Registrar of Societies (ROS) in Malaysia.
It can be a club, association, charity, religious, cultural, or community group formed for non-profit purposes.
With Conzlab handling your NGO registration, the process is smoother and faster because we ensure all documents are complete and correctly submitted.
Most cases are completed in 1–3 months, as we manage the ROS review of your organization name, objectives, constitution, and committee details.
In rare cases, it may take up to 6 months if ROS requires additional review, but our team minimizes delays by proactively resolving issues.
NGO registrations in Malaysia are processed through the Registrar of Societies (ROS). Instead of going through the complex e-ROS system yourself, the straightforward way is to let Conzlab handle the entire process — from preparing your constitution and logo to submitting everything online — so you don’t need to deal with the hassle.
If you run into any issues with NGO registration, you don’t need to deal with ROS directly. Conzlab provides full support throughout the process, handling all communications with ROS, resolving document issues, and following up on your application. This way, you can focus on your organization’s mission while we make sure your registration goes smoothly.
Any Malaysian citizen aged 18 and above can apply to register a Pertubuhan.
You need at least 7 founding members to form an NGO.
- Visit the eROSES portal
- Create an account and fill in the application form (Form 1)
- Provide organization name, objectives, and office address
- Upload the required documents
- Submit and wait for ROS approval
- Constitution (Perlembagaan Pertubuhan)
- List of committee members (President, Secretary, Treasurer, etc.)
- Minutes of first meeting
- Photocopies of ICs of all founding members
- Registered address
Yes, but at least 70% of members must be Malaysian citizens.
Foreign members or advisors must get approval from the ROS.
Once approved, ROS will issue a Certificate of Registration and a registration number.
The NGO can then open a bank account, collect donations, and carry out its activities legally.
- Registered NGOs must:
- Submit annual reports and audited accounts to ROS every year
- Notify ROS of any change in office bearers, address, or constitution
- Comply with the Societies Act 1966