01
Overview
Every premise signboard and advertisement in Malaysia must display the national language, and it must be correct — spelling, terminology, grammar and a polite, non-negative meaning. Councils such as DBKL, MBPJ, MBSJ and MBDK will not grant a signboard licence until the wording has been verified by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka.
DBP handles this online through its Sah Bahasa service. It evaluates the design against its signage design guidelines — not just whether Malay appears, but whether it is accurate and appropriately prominent. A rejected design means redesigning the signboard, which is expensive once it has already been fabricated.
That is why we submit the artwork before the signboard is made. Getting DBP approval first, then the council signboard licence, then fabrication is the order that avoids paying for a signboard twice.
Who needs this
- New businesses installing a premise signboard
- Businesses applying for a council signboard licence
- Brands with English or Chinese names that need correct Malay presentation
02
Documents you need to prepare
Signboard artwork
- Coloured signboard design with exact dimensions
- All wording that will appear, in every language used
- Company or business registration details as shown on the signboard
Location
- Photo of where the signboard will be installed
- Council where the signboard licence will be applied for
- DBP application fee is paid at cost; the council signboard licence fee is separate.
- Do not fabricate the signboard until DBP approval is issued.
03
How to get it done with ONEKEY BIZ
- 1Wording review Day 1
We check the Malay wording and layout against DBP guidelines before submission.
- 2Submit to DBP Day 1
Artwork uploaded through the Sah Bahasa service.
- 3DBP review Around 3 working days
DBP verifies the language; we handle any correction requests.
- 4Approval issued Done
Approval downloaded and passed to the council application.
You do
- Provide the signboard artwork
- Confirm the wording
We do
- Pre-check wording against DBP rules
- Submit and follow up with DBP
- Revise the design with you if DBP asks
- Use the approval for your council signboard licence
04
What you receive
DBP's verification of your signboard wording, for the council application.
The version of the design DBP approved — the one to fabricate.
Rules and requirements in detail
Real clients we've done this for
Official sources
Frequently asked questions
Does DBP approval mean we have a signboard licence?
No. DBP approves the language; the council still issues the signboard licence.
Can our brand name stay in English or Chinese?
Brand names can appear, but the national language must be used correctly and with appropriate prominence.
How long does it take?
DBP states three working days; high volumes can make it longer.