A Quick Guide To MOF Bumiputera Status Registration

For MOF Account holders that meet specific ownership requirements, securing Bumiputera Status is an optional step to bid on government contracts in restricted business sectors.

For those planning to apply, below is a quick overview of the essentials, broken down into:

• category specific-requirements
• business activities for each category
• general requirements
• supporting documents, and
• application steps

Let’s begin. 

Category-specific requirements

MOF recognises two categories of Bumiputera Status: 51% and 100% and obviously, a 100% Bumiputera company can apply for 51% Bumiputera Status, but not vice versa.

51% Bumiputera Status

At least 51% of equity, directors, management, and staff must be Bumiputera.

This requires the company / business to meet the following:

• largest individual shareholder is Bumiputera
• employee with highest salary is Bumiputera
• key leadership positions are held by Bumiputeras

This entitles your company to apply for government contracts in the following sectors:

• imported / foreign-published reading materials
• ship owner / broker / agent
• insurance broker

100% Bumiputera Status

100% of your equity, directors, management, and staff must be Bumiputera to qualify.

In addition to everything in the above section, you can also apply for contracts in the following sectors:

• travel agent services
• general printing (books, magazines, newspapers, files, business cards, greeting cards)
• label and sticker printing
• computer and continuous stationery printing
• security and hologram printing
• pre-press services (colour separation, typesetting)
• binding services (hardcover and softcover), and
• finishing services (varnishing, laminating)

Regardless of if you plan to apply for 51 or 100% Bumiputera Status, the same general requirements apply.

General requirements

There are five key conditions:

• minimum paid up capital of RM50,000
• all authorised signatories for cheques and financial documents are Bumiputera
• the business must operate in a commercial premise
• the premises cannot be shared with a non-Bumiputera company unless with clear physical separation

Regarding the final point, MOF officials will conduct a site visit to verify your premises are in compliance.

Supporting documents

• form 9 / form 13 / section 14
• memorandum and articles of association
• form 24 / section 78 and form 49 / section 58
• form 32a / section 105 / section 11 (if applicable)
• latest annual return form
• annual return form for corporate / nominee companies*
• latest company bank statement / deposit slip
• check signatory resolution
• check signatory detail form certified by the relevant bank
• tenancy agreement stamped / title document (S&P) / letter of authorisation / home / copies of title deed
• copy of identity card of the owner / director
• latest employee EPF contribution statement and payment receipt
• complete organisation chart with names and positions
• sketch map with landmarks and street names leading to premises

You will also need valid licenses from respective regulating bodies, which vary depending on MOF field codes registered for.

Application steps

A quick reminder that getting MOF Bumiputera Status first requires an active account and MOF certificate.

If you don’t have this yet, check out our MOF license application guide to get you started.

For those with an active license, login to your ePerolehan account and follow these steps:

Step 1: Apply for taraf bumiputera
Step 2: Verify equity and management eligibility
Step 3: Obtain bank certification
Step 4: Prepare supporting documents
Step 5: Complete online declaration
Step 6: Submit documents
Step 7: Site visit and audit
Step 8: Approval and print certificate (as shown below)

As the site visit depends on how many pending applications are already in the system, that will be the biggest bottleneck, so our advice is to start as soon as possible.

All the best, and if you need help, we’re always here!

Let MISHU help secure your MOF Bumiputera Status

If you have a better use of time than browsing forms and documents, get in touch with us – we’ve helped many businesses successfully apply for an MOF license, and we’d be happy to help you.