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Starting January 2026, operators of food premises in 20 city areas will be barred from renewing their business licences if their toilets fail to meet the BMW standard
The BMW standard, as described by Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, is bersih (clean), menawan (attractive), and wangi (pleasant-smelling), reported The Edge.
Nga said the move comes after a three-year grace period given to operators to comply with the new policy introduced in 2023.
"All toilets in 20 city areas, including those in restaurants, food and beverage (F&B) outlets and cafés, will not have their business licences renewed if they fail to meet the BMW level," he told reporters after officiating the National-Level World Environment Day 2025 celebration in Bangi on Thursday, 9 October.
He stressed that the government has given operators ample time to adapt before enforcement begins.
"I issued the notice three years ago. So, we have given all operators three years to comply. If they wish to renew their business licences, toilet cleanliness will be made compulsory," he was quoted as saying.
The policy is part of the government's broader efforts to raise hygiene standards nationwide and boost Malaysia's image ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026
He added that so far, 12,000 public toilets nationwide, including those in schools, markets, public parks, and food courts, have been upgraded.
"The food courts are showing progress, but there is still room for improvement. The government is committed to continuously enhancing basic facilities and infrastructure," he said.
Nga also announced that from January next year, individuals caught committing minor littering offences will face a community service order of up to 12 hours, which may include cleaning drains, sweeping streets or cleaning public toilets.
Starting 2026, those convicted of littering under the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing (Amendment) Bill 2025 may face a compound of up to RM2,000 and a court-ordered community service sentence.
