Guide · Street buntings

Bunting permits in Malaysia: what every council checks

By Joyce Tai, Bunting LahPublished · 8 min read

Street buntings are one of the most affordable ways to own a road in Malaysia, but none of them can go up on a lamp post without the local majlis approving it first. There’s no national bunting permit, so every city and municipal council has its own process, its own rules and its own idea of what an acceptable bunting looks like. That’s why most brands leave the permit side to someone who deals with councils every week.

The short version
  • Every council area needs its own temporary advertisement permit (permit iklan sementara), so a campaign across three towns means three separate approvals.
  • Councils check your bunting’s size, language, design and locations, and some states have extra rules, such as Jawi on the East Coast.
  • Buntings without a valid permit get taken down, and you can lose your deposit or be fined.
  • Kuala Lumpur doesn’t allow lamp-post buntings in the usual way, so campaigns there run on LED street buntings or DBKL-endorsed framed buntings.
  • When you book your buntings with Bunting Lah, we handle the council applications and any revisions they ask for, at no extra cost.
Licensed street buntings on lamp posts in Malaysia, installed by Bunting Lah

What is a bunting permit?

A bunting permit is the temporary advertisement permit, or permit iklan sementara, that your local council (pihak berkuasa tempatan, or PBT) issues before advertising buntings can go up on its lamp posts. Each council issues them under its own advertisement by-laws, which is why the rules in Petaling Jaya aren’t the same as the rules in Johor Bahru or Kuantan. The permit covers how many buntings you can put up, which roads they can go on and how long they can stay, and every approved bunting carries the council’s sticker or QR code to prove it.

What councils check before approving your buntings

Every council has its own forms, but the same questions come up again and again. Before your buntings are approved, the council wants to be sure about these things.

The right sizeMost councils only license lamp-post buntings in one standard size, usually 2′ × 6′, and anything else gets removed.
Language rulesBahasa Malaysia has to come first, often in a bigger size, and most councils want the wording verified by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP).
What’s on the designClaims like “Halal” or sale offers may need supporting approvals, and certain visuals aren’t allowed at all.
Where they’ll hangProtocol roads, trees, roundabouts and the lamp posts nearest to traffic lights are usually off limits, and some councils only allow every other post.
How long they’ll stayMost councils approve buntings for up to a month at a time, and they must come down on time when the permit ends.
Fees & depositExpect a permit fee, lamp-post and sticker charges, and a refundable deposit that you only get back if everything goes to plan.

How councils differ around Malaysia

The basics are similar, but the details change the moment you cross a council boundary, and that’s where most campaigns get caught out. Here’s a quick look at how a few councils compare.

Based on each council’s published guidelines (checked October 2026)
CouncilStandard sizeWorth knowing
MBPJPetaling Jaya2′ × 6′Malay wording must be 30% bigger than other languages
MBSAShah Alam2′ × 6′Only every other lamp post can be used
MBSJSubang JayaCheck with usSome lamp-post zones are run by an appointed operator
DBKLKuala LumpurDepends on formatLED or DBKL-endorsed framed buntings only
MBJBJohor Bahru2′ × 6′A long list of protocol roads is off limits
MBSSeremban2′ × 6′Needs a TNB approval letter and bracketed lamp poles
MBPPPenang IslandCheck with usStrict enforcement on unlicensed buntings
MBK & MBKTKuantan & Kuala Terengganu2′ × 6′Jawi is required, placed above the Malay wording
Aerial night view of George Town, Penang, with city lights and the mainland across the sea

Penang is a good example of how easy it is to slip up. The island and the mainland are run by two different councils, MBPP and MBSP, so buntings on both sides of the bridge need two sets of approvals. MBPP is also known for strict enforcement, having taken down more than 120,000 unlicensed buntings in a single year. On the East Coast, a design that sailed through in Petaling Jaya will be rejected in Kuantan or Kuala Terengganu if it doesn’t have Jawi in the right size and position.

Running buntings in more than one town?Let us handle the permits →

What about Kuala Lumpur?

Kuala Lumpur works differently from the rest of the country. DBKL’s standard conditions for banners don’t allow them on lamp posts, trees, overhead bridges or bridges, so you can’t simply apply to hang your own buntings along a KL road. Street bunting campaigns in the city run on approved formats instead.

The DBKL Building in Kuala Lumpur
LED street buntingsDigital bunting screens in set locations around the city. They’re already approved and installed, so all you send is the artwork.
Static framed buntingsPrinted buntings in frames at locations approved and endorsed by DBKL, for the classic street bunting look in the city.

Here are a few of the LED street buntings you can book with us right now:

LED street bunting on Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Kuala LumpurLED street buntingJalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman LED street bunting at KL Sentral, Jalan Tun SambanthanLED street buntingKL Sentral, Jalan Tun Sambanthan LED street bunting in Tebrau, Johor BahruLED street buntingTebrau, Johor Bahru

Why buntings get rejected or taken down

Most permit headaches come from a handful of small mistakes, and each one can cost you time, money or your deposit. These are the ones we see most often.

  • Bahasa Malaysia isn’t prominent enough. The national language has to stand out, and some councils set a minimum size difference.
  • The wording hasn’t been verified. Many councils won’t approve a design until DBP has checked the copy.
  • The printed bunting doesn’t match the approved design. Change one line after approval and your buntings can be taken down.
  • The size is wrong. A bunting that’s a few inches off the standard size can be removed on the spot.
  • They’re on the wrong roads. Protocol roads, roads outside your approval and posts too close to traffic lights are common trip-ups.
  • They stay up too long. If the council has to take your buntings down after the permit ends, your deposit goes with them.
  • No Jawi where it’s required. On the East Coast, buntings without Jawi won’t be approved.

How long does it take to get buntings up?

Council approval on its own can take anywhere from a day to about a week, depending on the council. But approval is only one part of the job, and design, language checks, printing and installation all need time too. As a rule of thumb, start at least two to three weeks before you want your buntings up, and earlier if your campaign covers more than one council or more than one state.

How Bunting Lah handles your bunting permits

You don’t need to learn every council’s rules to run a bunting campaign. Tell us where you want to be seen, and we’ll take care of the approvals along with everything else.

  1. Pick your roadsTell us the towns, roads and dates you have in mind
  2. Design to the rulesWe adapt your artwork for each council’s language rules
  3. We get approvedApplications and revisions handled at no extra cost
  4. Print & stickerPrinted in the approved size, ready for council stickers
  5. InstallUp on approved lamp posts, following every road rule
Permits at no extra costWe submit your applications, and handle any revisions the council asks for, without adding to your bill.
One contact for every councilA campaign across several towns is one conversation with us, not a separate application for every majlis.
Designs that pass first timeWe design with Bahasa Malaysia given priority, Jawi where the council needs it and copy that’s easy to read from a moving car.
KL covered tooWe book LED street buntings and DBKL-endorsed framed buntings, so Kuala Lumpur fits into the same plan.
Want buntings up without the paperwork?Get a free bunting quote →
This guide is based on guidelines published by MBPJ, MBSA, MBSJ, DBKL, MBJB, MBS, MBK and MBKT, and on reporting about MBPP, checked in October 2026. Councils can change their requirements at any time, so talk to us for the latest before you plan your campaign. You can also browse our street bunting options or find locations on the OOH Finder Map.
Joyce TaiBunting Lah plans and runs street bunting, billboard and digital OOH campaigns across Malaysia.

FAQ

Bunting permits, answered

Quick answers to the questions we get most about putting up street buntings in Malaysia.

Do I need a permit to put up buntings in Malaysia?

Yes. Buntings on public lamp posts need a temporary advertisement permit (permit iklan sementara) from the local council for that area. There’s no national permit, so each council approves its own area. When you book your buntings with Bunting Lah, we apply for you.

How much does a bunting permit cost?

It depends on the council and how many buntings you need. Charges usually include a permit fee, lamp-post and sticker charges and a refundable deposit, and councils change their rates from time to time. We include the latest council charges in your quote, and handle the applications at no extra cost.

How long does it take to get a bunting permit?

Council approval can take from a day to about a week, but you also need time for design, language checks, printing and installation. We suggest starting at least two to three weeks before your campaign.

What size is a standard bunting in Malaysia?

Most councils license lamp-post buntings at 2 feet by 6 feet, or about 0.61 m by 1.83 m. Some councils have their own rules, so we confirm the right size for every area before printing.

Does my bunting have to be in Bahasa Malaysia?

Yes. Councils require Bahasa Malaysia to be used and given priority, most want the wording verified by DBP, and some East Coast councils also require Jawi. We design your buntings to meet each council’s language rules.

Can I put up buntings in Kuala Lumpur?

Yes, but not on lamp posts in the usual way. Street bunting campaigns in KL use LED street buntings in set locations or static framed buntings endorsed by DBKL, and Bunting Lah can book both for you.

Can one permit cover more than one town?

No. Each council area needs its own permit, even for neighbouring towns such as Petaling Jaya and Subang Jaya. We manage all the applications for you at the same time, so it’s still one conversation on your side.

Can Bunting Lah apply for my bunting permits?

Yes. When you book your buntings with us, we handle the council applications and any revisions they ask for at no extra cost, along with the design, printing and installation.