If you’re fresh from a karaoke session, go sleep and come back once your brain is working!
Otherwise, to realise your destiny of becoming Kuala Lumpur’s next karaoke tycoon, you’ll need an entertainment license from DBKL to oprate your first karaoke centre.
As DBKL’s official guidelines are only in Bahasa Melayu, we’ve translated it to save you the hassle of running each sentence through Google Translate!
Here’s how we’ve broken it down:
- required documents
- operating requirements
- premise requirements
- staff requirements, and
- fees and security deposits
Let’s begin.
Required documents
Here’s what you’ll need to prepare when applying for your entertainment center license:
- Application form (available on DBKL’s eLesen portal).
- Copy of company / business registration
- Copy of your MyKad / passport
- Floor plan and location plan of premises
- Tenancy agreement or proof of premise ownership.
- Photos of the interior and exterior of the premises (in color).
- Copy of your premises license
This means you’ll need to first:
- Register a Sdn Bhd or Enterprise, and
- Get a DBKL premise and signboard license
If you’d like some help, the MISHU team would be happy to assist, but for now, read on!
Operating requirements
DBKL has strict rules for approval and operations, so here’s what you need to keep in mind:
Approval conditions
- Your business cannot be located near residential areas, schools, hospitals, universities, or places of worship
- All licensing fees must be paid within 14 days of approval to activate the license
Operational rules
- Activities can only run between 10:00 AM and 12:00 AM.
- Premises must remain clean and well-maintained, and all equipment must be in working order.
- Keep noise levels in check to avoid disturbing your neighbors (sorry, no Mariah Carey scream-offs).
- Entry restrictions:
- Visitors must be 21 years or older.
- Those under 21 must be accompanied by a guardian.
- No children in school uniforms are allowed inside.
Premise requirements
- Staircases, corridors, entrances, and exits must be free of obstructions
- Rooms and spaces must be well-lit
- No gambling equipment, drugs, or items that may offend public sensitivities
- You must display notices prohibiting drugs outside the premises
Staff requirements
- All staff must adhere to proper dress codes and maintain polite, courteous behavior
- Employees must ensure the premises run responsibly— strictly no drugs or gambling
License fees and security deposits
DBKL karaoke centre licenses carry a monthly fee of RM10 per jukebox.
There is also a one-time RM200 security deposit per jukebox to ensure karaoke centres stay compliant with DBKL requirements.
Let MISHU help with your license application
We’ll handle the documents, submissions, and all the nitty-gritty so you can focus on building a business that hits the high notes. Get in touch with us today!