Amanah Raya Berhad (ARB) is Malaysia's principal trustee organisation — a government-linked company providing professional estate administration, will writing, trust management, and investment trustee services. For Malaysians without specialist estate planners, Amanah Raya is often the most accessible and affordable option.
Amanah Raya Services Overview
| Service | Who It Is For | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Will Writing | Any Malaysian (Non-Muslim) | RM100–300 |
| Wasiat Writing | Muslim Malaysians | RM100–200 |
| Trust Administration | Any Malaysian | 0.5%–1.0% of trust value/yr |
| Small Estate Administration | Deceased estates under RM2M | % of estate |
| Corporate Trustee | Companies/institutions | Negotiated |
Small Estate Administration via Amanah Raya
For estates below RM2 million without landed property: apply at Amanah Raya for estate distribution. They collect assets from banks and institutions, settle debts, and distribute to heirs according to the Order of Distribution. Fees: 2%–4% of estate value (graduated scale).
Will Writing at Amanah Raya
You can walk into any Amanah Raya office with your identification and details of your wishes to write a will for as little as RM100. ARB stores the original will in their secure vault and can act as executor. They offer both conventional will (non-Muslim) and wasiat (Muslim) services.
Limitations of Amanah Raya
Amanah Raya's estate administration can be slow (6–18 months for small estates). Complex estates with disputes require private solicitors. For high-net-worth families needing sophisticated trust structures, private trust companies (Maybank Trustees, CIMB Trustee) may offer more tailored services.