Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) must approve any party wishing to build a billboard. Billboards in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur must ensure that it properly uses Bahasa Melayu. Other languages may be used on billboards. However, according to Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), they must utilise Bahasa Melayu phrases to get DBP billboard approval.
“As was the case with the billboard placed next to Kuala Lumpur’s Mid Valley Megamall, it was discovered that the pertinent parties had disregarded the restrictions. The primary language on the DBP-approved billboard was Bahasa Melayu, with additional languages spoken alongside,”. In other words, other languages are permissible to be used on billboards as long as they contain Bahasa Melayu, too.
Nevertheless, there was a violation of the permission granted when the billboard was put up on the property and the other languages gained attention. Due to the issue, the party had to take down their billboard.
The statement also mentioned that DBKL issues six different kinds of advertising licences in Kuala Lumpur, one of which is for outdoor display advertisements.
“Any non-compliance with these By-Laws may be subject to enforcement action or penalties as stipulated,” the statement stated.
“This outdoor display advertisement license is subject to the Local Government Act 1976; Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974; Advertisements (Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur) By-Laws 1982 and the Local Government (Election Advertisement) (Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur) By-Laws 1990,”.
Some might be confused by the rules and regulations of what makes a billboard acceptable by law in Malaysia.
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Image Credits: LAGUNA Media