Businesses must install CCTV and ensure clean toilets in order to operate in Johor Bahru, the city council announced.
In its December 2025 monthly meeting, Johor Bahru City Council (MBJB) through mayor Dato’ Haji Mohd Haffiz bin Haji Ahmad, announced instructions for CCTV installation and the requirement of a ‘Clean, Beautiful, and Fragrant’ (Bersih, Menawan & Wangi) toilet in business premises as a condition for licencing.
CCTV closed-circuit cameras in business premises are part of an effort to improve citizen security in Johor Bahru by increasing surveillance.
It also supports the Smart City agenda, in line with the MBJB administration’s current achievements, which place the city at Level 3 on the Smart City Rating scale, demonstrating MBJB’s commitment to creating a safer, smarter, and more sustainable city.
As one of the additional licencing requirements, MBJB suggests installing closed-circuit television (CCTV) in all ground-floor business locations within the MBJB administrative area in order to bolster the elements of city security and promote more efficient environmental management.
This proposal was approved at the Licencing Committee Meeting No. 10/2025 and confirmed in the Full Meeting No. 10/2025.
The City Transport Department and the MBJB Licencing Department will collaborate to implement this requirement, with an emphasis on ground-floor business premises exclusively.
All property owners and licencees must provide the most recent CCTV footage with the current date as proof of compliance for annual licence renewals.
This requirement is applicable to all licences, regardless of whether they are renewed on a date-to-date basis or expire on December 31st of each year.
Meanwhile, for new licence applications, the premises owner is required to install a CCTV system within 90 days from the date of licence approval as a condition of licencing compliance.
According to minimum requirements, every business location must have a minimum of three (3) CCTV units installed, with two (2) units covering the foot traffic area at the front of the building and one (1) unit at the rear of the building or back door.
The premises owner or licencee is fully responsible for the cost of installation, maintenance and operation of the CCTV system.
Equipment like display monitors and Network Video Recorders (NVRs) must be installed on the property and closely watched over by the property owner.
“With the assistance and cooperation of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), MBJB maintains the right to request the sharing of CCTV footage from the property owner or licencee for enforcement and public safety purposes.”
“In addition to enhancing security both inside and outside the building, a well-functioning CCTV system serves as a deterrent to crime, a way to keep an eye on staff members’ daily activities, and crucial supporting documentation in the event of a dispute or investigation,” Mohd Haffiz said in its statement for the meeting.
He also added that the CCTV may lessen reliance on security guards, particularly in large or dangerous areas.
The Clean, Beautiful, and Fragrant Toilet (BMW) initiative would be implemented in all government, private, and business premises, particularly those involved in the sale of food and beverages, including restaurants, as part of the prerequisite for business licencing.
This initiative is part of the Government’s ongoing efforts, through the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT), to improve the cleanliness, comfort, and image of the public environment, in accordance with the Circular of the Secretary-General of the KPKT Number 2 of 2024 and the KPKT Local Government Department’s resolution dated 11th December 2024 regarding the management and rating of public toilets in Malaysia.
