Data Centre Task Force (DCTF) Approval

The Data Centre Task Force (DCTF) is the inter-agency body established to screen and evaluate all new and expansion data centre projects in Malaysia, acting as the sole licensing authority for such investments. Co-chaired by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) and the Ministry of Digital, with MIDA serving as the secretariat, DCTF approval confirms your project's alignment with national policy and clears the path for critical downstream milestones like Electricity Supply Agreements and tax incentives. Under the strengthened framework, the DCTF expects robust verification of project viability, efficiency metrics, and financial closure. We provide comprehensive end-to-end advisory, preparation, and submission support to guide your project through this mandatory screening framework.

• Project data collation, verification of design efficiency metrics (PUE, WUE, CUE), and gap benchmarking against MIDA expectations.
• Complete preparation of the formal DCTF Form, technical appendices, and mandatory supporting documentation.
• End-to-end submission management and ongoing liaison with assigned MIDA officers, including preparing formal query responses and coordinating requested briefings or presentations.
• Post-approval condition advisory, including guidance on the Corporate Renewable Energy Supply Scheme (CRESS) and alignment with subsequent DESAC tax incentive applications.

Premise & Signboard Licence

Before a physical business can legally commence operations, apply for federal industry licences (such as WRT), or secure an ESD corporate profile, it must possess a valid Premise and Signboard Licence from the relevant Local Town Council (Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan / PBT), such as DBKL or MBPJ. We manage the full application process, liaising with local authorities to ensure your physical premises and exterior signage are fully compliant with municipal zoning and regulations.

• Premise Licence application and renewal.
• Signboard Licence application and visual compliance check.
• Coordination with BOMBA (Fire and Rescue Department) for premise safety inspections where required.

Capital Markets Services Licence (CMSL)

Under the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007 (CMSA), any entity intending to carry out regulated capital market activities in Malaysia must be licensed by the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC). A CMSL is granted to a principal entity, allowing it to execute one or more regulated activities under a single unified licence — including fund management, dealing in securities or derivatives, advising on corporate finance, investment advice, and financial planning.

• CMSL Application & Structuring: We manage the preparation of your comprehensive business model and corporate structuring, ensuring strict adherence to the SC's minimum financial and fit-and-proper requirements before submission via the Electronic Application System (EASy).
• Representative Licensing (CMSRL): We assist your designated directors and personnel in securing the mandatory Capital Markets Services Representative's Licence (CMSRL) required to legally execute regulated activities on the firm's behalf.
• Audit & Validation Coordination: For eligible capital market intermediaries subject to the Focus Scope Assessment (FSA) Framework, we coordinate the mandatory third-party independent validation reports with an Audit Oversight Board (AOB) registered auditor.
• Regulatory Liaison: We manage the end-to-end follow-up with the SC, expertly navigating the targeted 6-week Client Charter assessment period for complete submissions.

Venture Capital (VC) & Private Equity (PE) Registration

Under the CMSA, corporations intending to undertake fund management activities in relation to venture capital or private equity funds must be registered with the SC. This applies to Venture Capital Corporations (VCC), Venture Capital Management Corporations (VCMC), Private Equity Corporations (PEC), and Private Equity Management Corporations (PEMC) acting or offering to act as investment managers or co-investment managers.

We manage the full registration process via the SC's Electronic Application System (EASy) and ensure ongoing compliance with the SC's regulatory framework. Our end-to-end facilitation includes:

• Minimum Financial Requirements: Structuring the entity to ensure it maintains the mandatory minimum net assets of RM 100,000 at all times.
• Responsible Person Appointment: Assisting with the SC approval process for the appointment of at least one designated Responsible Person. This individual must be a director under the Companies Act 2016 or a partner under the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2012.
• Tax Incentive Structuring: For eligible VCCs and VCMCs, we coordinate applications for SC certification to unlock venture capital tax incentives. This includes income tax exemptions on share of profits, management fees, and performance fees, including carried interest.

Manufacturing Licence (ML) & Tax Incentives

Any company engaged in manufacturing in Malaysia with shareholder funds exceeding RM 2.5 million or a workforce of 75 or more employees must hold a Manufacturing Licence under the Industrial Coordination Act 1975. Alongside the ML, qualifying manufacturers may apply for Pioneer Status or an Investment Tax Allowance (ITA) — incentives that can result in substantial income tax savings over a period of 5–10 years.

• Eligibility assessment for Manufacturing Licence and applicable tax incentives.
• Project data collation and structuring: financials (CAPEX, OPEX, ROI), manpower plans, technology assessment, supply chain and value-add analysis.
• MIDA online application preparation and submission (Invest Malaysia portal).
• Comprehensive Incentive Paper for National Committee on Investment (NCI) deliberation.
• Ongoing MIDA liaison, query response, and meetings/site visit support.
• Post-approval compliance monitoring and reporting.

Manufacturing Status Exempted from Licence (ICA10)

Manufacturers that do not meet the ML threshold — i.e., shareholder funds below RM 2.5 million and fewer than 75 employees — are required to register as a manufacturing entity exempted from licence (ICA10 status). We manage the full application, and where eligible, combine the ICA10 application with a tax incentive submission to MIDA.

Manufacturing Licence Regularisation

Companies that hold ICA10 (Manufacturing Status Exempted from Licence) but have since grown past the threshold — exceeding RM 2.5 million in shareholder funds or employing 75 or more employees — are legally required to regularise their status by applying for a full Manufacturing Licence. Operating without regularisation constitutes a breach of the Industrial Coordination Act 1975. We manage the regularisation process comprehensively.

• Data compilation and project structuring.
• Application preparation and submission to MIDA.
• Compliance gap closure and pre-submission quality assurance.
• MIDA liaison and representation.

WRT Licence (Wholesale, Retail & Trade)

The Wholesale, Retail & Trade (WRT) Licence — issued under KPDN via the BLESS 2.0 platform — is mandatory for foreign-equity companies engaged in wholesale, retail, or trading activities in Malaysia. Without it, foreign-owned companies cannot register with the ESD, which is a prerequisite for sponsoring Employment Passes. We provide end-to-end WRT licence procurement and renewal services.

• Determination of applicable WRT sub-category (Unregulated Service Sector, Specialised Service Sector, etc.).
• Application preparation and submission via KPDN BLESS 2.0.
• Continuous follow-up with KPDN officers through to approval.
• Annual WRT licence renewal management.
• WRT amendment applications (change of premise, etc.).

Liquor & Import Licences (District Office & Customs)

Under the Excise Act 1976, any establishment selling, serving, or distributing alcoholic beverages in Malaysia must hold a valid Liquor Licence. The application is a highly regulated, multi-agency process overseen by the District Office (Pejabat Daerah) Licensing Board and the Royal Malaysian Customs Department.

• Determination of the required licence class (Public House for on-premise consumption, Retail, or Wholesale).
• Securing mandatory clearance letters from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Customs Department, Fire Department (BOMBA), and Health Department.
• Zoning verification to ensure the premise is not located near prohibited areas (e.g., religious institutions, schools).
• Submission to the District Office / Local Council and representation during the board interview process.

Liquor Import Licence

Companies importing alcoholic beverages into Malaysia require a Liquor Import Licence, typically coordinated with the Royal Malaysian Customs Department. We manage this application alongside WRT and Liquor Licence applications for clients in the F&B and retail sectors.

CIDB Contractor Registration & Licensing (Construction)

For companies operating in the construction and engineering sectors, a valid CIDB licence (G1 to G7) determines the eligible contract value. We manage the CIDB registration and licence procurement process including the registration of the company on CIDB's CIMS platform.

• Registration on CIDB CIMS (Centralised Information Management System).
• G7 and other grade contractor licence applications.
• Supporting documentation preparation and submission.
• CIDB licence renewal management.

CIDB Construction Personnel Registration Card (Kad Hijau / Green Card)

All construction site personnel in Malaysia are required to hold a CIDB Construction Personnel Registration Card (Kad Hijau), commonly referred to as a Green Card — a mandatory safety certification. We manage both initial applications and renewals, and coordinate the personnel's registration on CIMS.

• CIDB Kad Hijau (Green Card) applications for individual construction personnel.
• Kad Hijau renewals.
• CIMS personnel registration and profile updates.

Allied Health Division Licences (Ministry of Health)

Businesses providing statutory allied healthcare services — such as chiropractic and physiotherapy — are required to obtain a licence from the MOH Allied Health Division before operations commence under the Allied Health Professions Act 2016. For foreign-owned entities, this application is typically coordinated alongside a WRT Licence application. We manage both applications concurrently to streamline the overall process.

• MOH Allied Health Division licence application.
• Coordination with WRT and PBT applications for foreign-equity operators.
• Application form completion, documentation collation, and submission.
• ESD registration coordination post-licence approval.