ExFunCity News | MBJB RM500 Stall Permit Fee Starts January 1, 2027

The MBJB RM500 stall permit fee will be introduced from January 1, 2027, affecting food stalls operating inside coffee shops, restaurants and food courts under the Johor Bahru City Council’s jurisdiction. Each individual stall will be required to pay an annual RM500 “Permit Stall” fee, adding a new licensing cost for some food operators in Johor Bahru. China Press Johor

Latest Update

The new requirement was reported following an MBJB meeting on September 29. From next year, stalls operating within licensed food premises will need their own annual permit even when the overall coffee shop or restaurant already holds a business licence. China Press Johor

The MBJB RM500 stall permit fee will therefore be calculated separately for each stall rather than as one RM500 payment covering an entire coffee shop.

For example, a coffee shop with 10 independently operated stalls could potentially face RM5,000 in total annual stall permit charges across those businesses.

More details on the announcement can be found in the Johor Bahru stall permit announcement. China Press Johor report

Why Is MBJB Introducing the Permit?

The requirement is part of MBJB’s licensing framework for traders and stalls operating within its administrative area.

MBJB’s official portal already provides separate application procedures and forms for business premises, temporary business permits and hawker licences. Majlis Bandaraya Johor Bahru

According to reporting on the latest policy, the stall permit requirement is intended to formalise and regulate individual stalls operating within food premises rather than treating all of them as part of a single business licence. China Press Johor

Operators who want to understand existing licensing procedures can also check the MBJB licensing and hawker permit information. MBJB official licensing portal

Traders Raise Concerns Over the RM500 Charge

The MBJB RM500 stall permit fee has also drawn concern from some Johor Bahru traders.

Stulang assemblyman Andrew Chen Kah Eng said he had received complaints from business operators who considered the additional RM500 annual charge a burden at a time when operating costs were already increasing. He called on MBJB to review the policy and explain what additional services would be provided in return for the permit charge. MalaysiaGazette

His comments represent criticism of the policy; MBJB’s licensing requirements remain the relevant rules for businesses within its jurisdiction unless the council announces changes.

What Does This Mean for Coffee Shop Operators?

Coffee shop and food-court operators should begin checking how many independently operated stalls within their premises will fall under the new permit requirement.

The change is particularly relevant to traditional Malaysian kopitiams, where one shop may contain multiple separate businesses selling noodles, chicken rice, drinks, mixed rice or other food.

Because the MBJB RM500 stall permit fee applies annually to individual stalls, operators with several stalls may need to factor the additional licensing cost into their 2027 operating expenses.

What Comes Next?

The new RM500 annual permit fee is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027. Traders should check with MBJB before the implementation date for application procedures, documentation requirements and any updated conditions.

Further discussions may also continue as local representatives and traders ask MBJB to review the financial impact of the policy.

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