Private investigator licensing in Malaysia
Yes. Private investigators need a licence in Malaysia.
Malaysia's Ministry of Home Affairs licenses private agencies under the Private Agencies Act 1971, which covers both guarding and the business of obtaining and giving information on other people's conduct, activities or affairs. Licences are issued to the business, which must lodge a deposit with the Accountant-General, and every employee needs a letter of approval from the state Chief Police Officer. Licences expire at the end of each calendar year and are renewed annually.1
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See below
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World Association of Detectives
How to get licensed1
- 1
Apply to the Minister of Home Affairs for a private agency licence (s.3(2)).
- 2
Pay the prescribed fee and lodge the deposit with the Accountant-General (s.3(3)-(4)).
- 3
Obtain a letter of approval (surat kelulusan) from the Commissioner of Police or state Chief Police Officer for each employee (s.9).
- 4
Issue identity papers to employees and renew the licence every calendar year (s.7, s.3(4)).
Licensed somewhere else?
See whether you can take a case in Malaysia.
How to qualify
- Who holds the licence
- The agency (staff are registered under it)1
- Bond or insurance
- Deposit of an amount set by the Minister lodged with the Accountant-General (s.3(3)); forfeited if the licence is revoked (s.4(5)).1
- Fees
- Not published by the regulator
- Processing time
- Not published by the regulator
- Renewal
- Licence expires no later than the end of the calendar year of issue; renewable each year on payment of the prescribed fee (s.3(4)).1
Sources
Reference information, not legal advice. Confirm with the regulator before taking on work. Out of date? Tell us.
Questions about PI licensing in Malaysia
Do you need a licence to be a private investigator in Malaysia?+
Yes. Private investigators need a licence in Malaysia. Malaysia's Ministry of Home Affairs licenses private agencies under the Private Agencies Act 1971, which covers both guarding and the business of obtaining and giving information on other people's conduct, activities or affairs. Licences are issued to the business, which must lodge a deposit with the Accountant-General, and every employee needs a letter of approval from the state Chief Police Officer. Licences expire at the end of each calendar year and are renewed annually.
Who licenses private investigators in Malaysia?+
Ministry of Home Affairs (Kementerian Dalam Negeri, KDN) – Private Agency Licence, under Private Agencies Act 1971 (Act 27).
Do private investigators in Malaysia need a bond or insurance?+
Deposit of an amount set by the Minister lodged with the Accountant-General (s.3(3)); forfeited if the licence is revoked (s.4(5)).
How often does a Malaysia PI licence need renewing?+
Licence expires no later than the end of the calendar year of issue; renewable each year on payment of the prescribed fee (s.3(4)).
How do you get a private investigator licence in Malaysia?+
1. Apply to the Minister of Home Affairs for a private agency licence (s.3(2)). 2. Pay the prescribed fee and lodge the deposit with the Accountant-General (s.3(3)-(4)). 3. Obtain a letter of approval (surat kelulusan) from the Commissioner of Police or state Chief Police Officer for each employee (s.9). 4. Issue identity papers to employees and renew the licence every calendar year (s.7, s.3(4)).
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