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Malaysia

Malaysia is one of the few Southeast Asian countries with genuine freedom of panorama: the Petronas Towers and other landmarks are safe to sell.

Verified Jun 28, 2026 2 official sources
Permit: conditionalPanorama: Full

Guidance, not legal advice

Rules change and enforcement varies. Confirm with the issuing authority before you shoot. Drone law depth lives at Drone Authority.

Permit

Conditional

Issuer: Site or land manager for commercial shoots; no permit for personal street photography

Cost: No permit for personal photography; commercial shoots typically need location permits

Personal photography needs no permit. Heritage and religious sites set their own rules. Avoid military and government-security sites.

Drone / airspace

Regulated by CAAM; small drones need no registration, but larger or commercial operations need authorization

For category detail, see Drone Authority.

Street / public space

Yes: photographing strangers in public is generally legal, with no general privacy tort

For commercial use of an identifiable person, get a release.

Freedom of panorama

Full

Copyright Act 1987 Section 13(2)(d) exempts reproduction and distribution of any artistic work permanently in a public place, including buildings and sculptures, so commercial sale is allowed.

Practical notes

  • The Petronas Towers and other landmarks are safe to photograph and sell under the panorama exception.
  • Mosques and some temples set dress codes and may restrict interior or commercial photography; ask on site.

Sources

Keep shooting

Knowing the rules is half the job. The craft side:

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