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Labuan Trusts
The creation of a Labuan trust is generally for an individual or a settlor to give specific property to a third party to be held for the benefit of others, including charities.
The Labuan Trust Act 1996 (LTA) allows the creation of the following types of trust:
- Purpose trusts;
- Charitable trusts;
- Spendthrift or protective trusts;
- Labuan special trusts.
Purpose
A Labuan trust may be created or established for a specific particular purpose which could be charitable or otherwise. A charitable purpose means and includes any of the following description of purposes:
- The relief or eradication of poverty;
- The advancement of education;
- The promotion of art, science and religion;
- The protection of the environment;
- The advancement of human rights and fundamental freedom; or
- Any other purposes which are beneficial to the community.
Registration
1. Labuan trusts may opt to be registered under the LTA using the following forms:
a) Labuan Trusts Act 1996 (LTA)
- Form 1 – Application for Registration of a Labuan Trust.
- Form 2 – Declaration by a Labuan Trust Company as Trustee.
b) Labuan Islamic Financial Services and Securities (Amendment) Act 2022 (Act A1655) (LIFSSA)
- Form 3 – Application for Registration of a Labuan Islamic Trust.
- Form 4 – Declaration by a Labuan Trust Company as Trustee.
Operating Requirements
1. All submissions for the registration of a Labuan trust must be filed through the Labuan trust company that also functions as a trustee of the Labuan trust.
2. The registered office of a Labuan trust shall be the registered office of the Labuan trust company which has been appointed as trustee of the trust and shall be the address for service of any documents relating to the trust.
3. The accounting records and other records shall be kept at the registered office of the Labuan trust.
4. A Labuan trust shall ensure that its settlor, trustees and other relevant person remain as fit and proper persons throughout the operations of the trust as may be prescribed in the Guidelines on Fit and Proper Person Requirements issued by Labuan FSA.
5. A Labuan trust shall ensure its compliance with the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001.
6. All Labuan trust companies are required to submit a status update on Labuan trusts under their care to Labuan FSA on a half-yearly basis.
Fees
All licensees are required to pay to Labuan FSA annual licence fees on or before 15 January of each year:
Type of fees | Amount | Registration Fee | USD200 |
|---|---|
Renewal of certificate of registration | USD15 |
Labuan Islamic Trusts
A Labuan Islamic trust can be established under Section 105 of the Labuan Islamic Financial Services and Securities (Amendment) Act 2022 (Act A1654) (LIFSSA) and all the provisions of the Labuan Trusts Act 1996 (LTA) shall apply to a Labuan Islamic trust unless specifically provided. The object, purpose and activity of the Labuan Islamic trust must be in compliance with Shariah principles. The creation of a Shariah-compliant trust is to provide an alternative for a settlor to exercise his rights in creating a trust in accordance with Shariah principles.
The trustee of a Labuan Islamic trust is required to appoint or consult a Shariah adviser to advise on matters relating to the operations of the Labuan Islamic trust to ensure its compliance with Shariah principles.
The vesting of property into a Labuan Islamic trust may be facilitated through hibah or hadiah as guided by the Shariah Resolution of the Shariah Supervisory Council of Labuan FSA on Labuan Islamic Trust issued by Labuan FSA.
Governing Legislation, related guidelines and circulars
For the latest governing legislation, related guidelines and circulars, please go to labuanfsa.gov.my
