Kuala Lumpur skyline at dusk

Malaysian Trust Company

Secure Wealth Transfer for the People Who Matter Most

A Malaysian trust company helping families protect, manage and pass on their wealth with clarity and care.

About us

A trustee you can rely on, across generations

Golden Handshake Trustees Berhad was incorporated on 2 May 2025 under the Companies Act 2016, and is established as a trust company in accordance with the Trust Companies Act 1949.

Our purpose is simple: to help you plan ahead so that your wealth reaches your beneficiaries smoothly, privately and according to your wishes. We work alongside families and their advisers to put clear, well-structured arrangements in place, and then administer them with care for as long as they are needed.

Three generations of a Malaysian family sitting together at home

Our values

What guides us

Integrity

Upholding the highest ethical standards in all dealings.

Client-Centric Approach

Prioritising the needs of clients and ensuring personalised service.

Transparency

Providing clear and honest communication about our services.

Long-Term Relationships

Building trust and loyalty through consistent, reliable service.

Our solution

The Cash Trust

A Cash Trust is a straightforward way to set aside cash for the people you care about. You, as the settlor, place cash into a trust. We act as trustee, holding and administering the funds, and distributing them to your named beneficiaries according to the trust deed.

9–10% p.a.

targeted annual return, distributed quarterly

Targeted, not guaranteed. Returns are subject to performance and the terms of the trust deed.

  1. 01

    Trust Setup

    The trust is established and funded, and beneficiaries are named.

  2. 02

    Years 1–3

    Quarterly distributions, targeting 2% per quarter with an additional 1–2% targeted in the final quarter, subject to performance (a targeted 9–10% p.a.).

  3. 03

    Upon Maturity

    Cash is available for withdrawal.

Benefits of a Cash Trust

Targeted 9–10% p.a. return

Distributed quarterly. Targeted, not guaranteed, and subject to performance.

Avoid probate delays

Assets pass to beneficiaries without a lengthy court process.

Protect loved ones

Structured support for dependants when it matters most.

Maintain control

You decide how and when assets are distributed.

Privacy and confidentiality

Trust arrangements remain private.

Smooth wealth transfer

A clear, private path to your beneficiaries.

Estate planning

Why estate planning matters

Without a plan in place, your family may face delays, frozen assets and public proceedings at a difficult time.

Cash TrustWithout Estate Planning
Distribution processTrustee distributes funds according to the trust deedMust go through the probate process
Speed of distributionFaster distribution to beneficiariesDistribution may take months or years
Access to fundsBeneficiaries can receive funds when neededAssets may be frozen during probate
Control of wealthYou decide how and when beneficiaries receive the fundsDistribution follows inheritance laws or court decisions
PrivacyTrust arrangements remain privateProbate proceedings may become part of public record

Distribution process

Cash Trust: Trustee distributes funds according to the trust deed

Without Estate Planning: Must go through the probate process

Speed of distribution

Cash Trust: Faster distribution to beneficiaries

Without Estate Planning: Distribution may take months or years

Access to funds

Cash Trust: Beneficiaries can receive funds when needed

Without Estate Planning: Assets may be frozen during probate

Control of wealth

Cash Trust: You decide how and when beneficiaries receive the funds

Without Estate Planning: Distribution follows inheritance laws or court decisions

Privacy

Cash Trust: Trust arrangements remain private

Without Estate Planning: Probate proceedings may become part of public record

Understanding the difference

Trust vs Unit Trust

Despite the similar names, they are very different. A trust is a legal arrangement for wealth protection and succession, not a pooled investment fund.

TrustUnit Trust (Mutual Fund)
NatureA legal arrangement for holding and managing assetsAn investment product that pools investors' money
StructureSettlor → Trustee → BeneficiaryInvestor → Fund Management Company → Investment Portfolio
Primary purposeWealth protection, estate and succession planning, asset preservation, reducing family disputesPortfolio diversification, professional investment management, capital appreciation and income
Assets heldCash, real estate, shares and securities, insurance policies, private company sharesPooled capital invested in equities, bonds, REITs and money market instruments
Common examplesFamily Trust, Children's Education Trust, Business Shareholding Trust, Estate Planning TrustRegulated unit trust funds offered by fund management companies
Key focusWealth preservation, asset protection and legacy planningInvestment returns with exposure to market risk

Nature

Trust: A legal arrangement for holding and managing assets

Unit Trust (Mutual Fund): An investment product that pools investors' money

Structure

Trust: Settlor → Trustee → Beneficiary

Unit Trust (Mutual Fund): Investor → Fund Management Company → Investment Portfolio

Primary purpose

Trust: Wealth protection, estate and succession planning, asset preservation, reducing family disputes

Unit Trust (Mutual Fund): Portfolio diversification, professional investment management, capital appreciation and income

Assets held

Trust: Cash, real estate, shares and securities, insurance policies, private company shares

Unit Trust (Mutual Fund): Pooled capital invested in equities, bonds, REITs and money market instruments

Common examples

Trust: Family Trust, Children's Education Trust, Business Shareholding Trust, Estate Planning Trust

Unit Trust (Mutual Fund): Regulated unit trust funds offered by fund management companies

Key focus

Trust: Wealth preservation, asset protection and legacy planning

Unit Trust (Mutual Fund): Investment returns with exposure to market risk

Senior management

The team behind Golden Handshake

Melvin Goh Sim Geh

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Business Administration (Hons) in Finance, Wichita State University, Kansas, USA

Experience

  • Over 20 years of experience in the capital markets industry
  • Expertise in fund management, institutional sales, equity broking, private equity and business development
  • Held senior positions at JF Apex Asset Management, TA Investment Management, CIMB and ING Insurance Bhd

Eugene Khoo

Chief Financial Officer

Qualifications

  • BSc (Hons) Applied Accounting, First Class, Oxford Brookes University
  • CFA Charterholder
  • ACCA

Experience

  • Over a decade in investment banking, corporate finance and digital asset management
  • Former COO, Fatfish Group Limited (ASX-listed)
  • Leads treasury, tax and governance across multi-jurisdictional groups in Malaysia, Singapore and offshore structures

Tay Kitman

Legal Manager

Qualifications

  • LLB (Hons), University of Manchester
  • Advocate & Solicitor, High Court of Malaya
  • England & Wales Bar

Experience

  • 8+ years in capital markets, M&A and corporate governance
  • Former Legal Counsel, Fatfish Group Limited (ASX-listed)
  • Previously Legal Associate at Cheang & Ariff on Bursa Malaysia IPOs

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is a trust?

A trust is a legal arrangement in which one person (the settlor) transfers assets to a trustee, who holds and manages them for the benefit of others (the beneficiaries) according to the terms of a written trust deed.

What is a Cash Trust?

A Cash Trust is a trust funded with cash. You place cash into the trust, we act as trustee, and the funds are distributed to your named beneficiaries according to the trust deed, with the aim of providing structured, private wealth transfer.

How are distributions made?

Distributions are made quarterly over the term of the trust. We target 2% per quarter, with an additional 1–2% targeted in the final quarter, subject to performance. Upon maturity, the cash is available for withdrawal in line with the trust deed.

Is the return guaranteed?

No. The 9–10% p.a. is a targeted return, not a guaranteed one. Actual returns depend on performance and the terms of the trust deed, and may be lower than the target.

How does a trust help avoid probate?

Assets held in a trust are legally owned by the trustee rather than forming part of your personal estate, so they can be distributed according to the trust deed without waiting for a grant of probate or letters of administration.

Who can be a beneficiary?

Generally, anyone you choose: a spouse, children, grandchildren, other family members, dependants with special needs, or other individuals. We will help you name and describe your beneficiaries clearly in the trust deed.

How do I get started?

Book a consultation with us. We will listen to your goals, explain how a trust could fit your situation, and guide you through the documentation. We encourage you to seek independent professional advice before making any decision.

Contact

Book a consultation

Speak with us in confidence about planning for your family's future.

Golden Handshake Trustees Berhad · Registration No. 202501019094 (1620507-X)