With over 430,000 residents of whom 74% are of working age, Shah Alam is a great location for a business.
To the entreprenerus out there, our guide explains the essentials of obtaining a business license from Majlis Bandaraya Shah Alam (MBSA), the Local Authority for the area.
Official MBSA guidelines are only available in Bahasa Melayu, so we’ve translated them for business owners more comfortable with English.
Here are the documents we’ve used as reference:
- MBSA’s composite license overview
- MBSA’s business and signboard license checklist
- MPKJ specific requirements based on business type
And here’s how we’ve broken it down in our guide:
- where to apply for MBSA business licenses
- required documents for all businesses
- additional documents for specific businesses, and
- how license fees are calculated
Let’s begin.
Where to apply for an MBSA business license
Good news: MBSA business license applications and payment can be submitted online via their myMBSA portal.
If you’re a first time eLesen visitor, you’ll need to register for a new account.
Alternatively, you can download the myMBSA Android or iOS mobile apps and apply from there, but be warned users don’t seem to be having a good time!
Now let’s see the required documents.
Required documents
General documents
For Business, Industrial, and Advertisement License Applications:
- Completed Composite License Application Form
- Photos of premises (front, back, interior, and side views in colour)
- Copy of latest Property Assessment Tax receipt for premises
- Copy of MyKad (for citizens) or Passport and valid Business Visa (for non-citizens).
- One (1) passport-sized photo
- Copy of Company Registration Documents:
- For Sdn Bhds: SSM company details
- For Enterprises/LLPs: Business details (Form D).
- Copy of Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CF) or Form F
- Copy of Lease or Purchase Agreement (for private property)
- Location plan (as per sample)
- Floor plan (as per sample)
- Signboard design with dimensions (as per sample)
Keep in mind, signboards must also receive language approval from Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka.
Supporting Documents (if applicable)
- For hazardous materials: Letters from DOE, Fire Department, or relevant authorities
- For cyber cafes/second-hand goods industries: Police endorsement
- For liquor sales: Approval from District Office
- For food handling: Food Handling Course certificate, typhiod injection records
Other specific activities require approvals from relevant authorities.
Samples of sketches required by MBSA
Here are samples of sketches required by MBSA:
License fees
MBSA business license fees depend on type of business and premise size, and all applications have a processing fee of RM50.
Here’s an example of how the license fees are charged for two types of businesses.
| Type | Premises Size | License Fee (RM) | Deposit (RM) |
| Beauty Center | Up to 60 sqm | 100.00 | 1,000.00 |
| 60–100 sqm | 200.00 | – | |
| 100–200 sqm | 300.00 | – | |
| Over 200 sqm | 500.00 | – | |
| Healthcare Center | Per 10 sqm or part thereof | 100.00 | 2,000.00 |
Unfortunately, there’s no full list of prices published online, so if you want to find out how much your business license would cost, get in touch with MBSA directly, or ask us to do it for you!
Let MISHU help with your MBSA license application
Our team is well-versed with helping business owners navigate MBSA licensing requirements, so get in touch if you’d like assistance!