The holotype had been collected in 1879[2] by W. Davison in Klang, Malaysia.

It was presented to Andersen by Allan Octavian Hume.

[3] It is considered a member of the bicolor species group within Hipposideros based on its morphology.

[4] As it was damaged, it is uncertain if the Malayan roundleaf bat is truly a distinct species.

[3] The Malayan roundleaf bat is only known from the type locality of Klang, Malaysia.