In line with Malaysia's commitment in meeting the internationally agreed tax standards and the implementation of BEPS Action Plans, Malaysia, represented by the Honourable Deputy Finance Minister I, YB Dato' Wira Othman Aziz signed the MLI at the OECD headquarters in Paris on 24th January 2018 along with Barbados, Cote d'Ivoire, Jamaica, Panama and Tunisia. At the time of signature, a list of expected reservations and notifications pursuant to Articles 28(7) and 29(4) of the MLI was deposited.

The latest list of Signatories and Parties to the MLI may be found here.

The MLI entered into force on 1st July 2018 after the deposit of instruments of ratification by five jurisdictions.

The table bellows lists the treaties which will be modified by the MLI based on the countries position as of March 2023:

The number of treaties modified by the MLI could change if more of Malaysia's tax treaty partners sign and ratify the MLI and list their treaty with Malaysia.

Based on the current MLI positions or jurisdictions that have not signed the MLI, Malaysia treaties not modified by MLI include:

The MLI contains both minimum standard and optional provisions. Malaysia's positions are as follows:

1. Minimum standard provisions:
   
   1. Article 6 (Purpose of a covered tax agreement) - To include a statement of intent in the preamble of the covered tax agreement that tax treaties are not intended to create opportunities for non-taxation or reduced taxation through tax evasion or avoidance, including through treaty-shopping arrangements.;
      
      
   2. Article 7 (Preventing treaty abuse) - To include a general anti-abuse rule in the covered tax agreement, commonly known as the Principal Purpose Test (PPT);
      
      
   3. Article 16 (Mutual agreement procedure) - To update the Mutual Agreement Procedure in the treaty to new rules of resolution of disputes procedure which among others, allows the aggrieved party to present his case to the competent authority of either Contracting State, sets the duration of 3 years for MAP application, no time limit to implement agreements reached and the resolution of disputes regarding interpretation or application of double tax agreement and cases of elimination of double taxation.
      
      
2. Optional provisions:
   
   1. Article 3(1) (Transparent entity) - Treaty benefits will be granted for income derived through fiscally transparent entities, such as partnerships or trusts, where one of the two countries treats the income as income of one of its residents under its domestic law. These rules will not prevent either country from taxing its own residents.
      
      
   2. Article 12 (Artificial avoidance of permanent establishment status through commissionaire arrangements and similar strategies) - If an agent or intermediary plays the principal role in concluding substantively finalised business contracts in a country on behalf of a foreign enterprise, that arrangement will constitute a 'permanent establishment' of the foreign enterprise in that country.
      
      
   3. Article 13 (Artificial avoidance of permanent establishment status through the specific activity exemptions) - Only genuine preparatory or auxiliary activities will be excluded from the definition of permanent establishment. In addition, related entities will be prevented from fragmenting their activities in order to qualify for this exclusion.
      
      
   4. Article 15 (Definition of a person closely related to an enterprise) - Definition of a 'person closely related to an enterprise' for the purpose of permanent establishment Articles.
      
      
   5. Article 17 (Corresponding adjustments) - It provides that a country to make a corresponding adjustment to the profits of a resident entity, as a result of an adjustment by the other country to the profits of an associated entity which is a resident of that other country if the adjustment is justified, in order to alleviate double taxation.

The MLI will modify Malaysia's treaties if both treaty partners share the same position on the provisions of the MLI. The extent to which the MLI will modify these treaties will depend on the final positions at the time of ratification of MLI of both countries. Guidance will be issued to assist taxpayers in understanding how the MLI modifies the operation of the particular tax treaty.

The MLI has been gazetted on 4th August 2020 through P.U. (A) 224. Malaysia has deposited the instrument of ratification on 18 February 2021. The MLI for Malaysia will enter into force on 1 June 2021. Generally, the provisions will take effect after the expiration of a period of six calendar months from the latest dates on which the MLI enters into force for each of the Contracting States.

Malaysia's positions on the MLI can be found here. Please visit the OECD website for further information on MLI.