Built in Kuala Lumpur, for Malaysian operators
Malaysian rules, built into the daily flow.
SST lines, e-Invoice records, Bank Negara rounding, EPF, SOCSO and EIS, food-handler and typhoid evidence, halal records and Malay language, in the product from day one, not bolted on. Here is what that means in practice, with the sources.
- CurrencyRM, exact to the sen
- TaxSST as lines, 6% and 8%
- RoundingBank Negara 5 sen, per cash tender
- LanguageEnglish and Bahasa Melayu
- TimeAsia/Kuala_Lumpur, MYT
- CalendarPublic holidays, Ramadan patterns
Checked on 16 September 2026.
Service tax (SST)
Restaurants charge 6% service tax once registered. Some items inside the premises are taxed at 8%. ChowChirp keeps each as its own line.
In the product
- Every sale and every bill carries tax as lines, never a single number. SST 6%, SST 8%, exempt and out of scope are separate codes, so the period assembles itself.
- Service charge is not taxed and is kept separate from tax on every bill and in the staff distribution pool.
- The SST screen assembles the period from the lines and shows the liability with the evidence. It is a computational aid. Filing stays with you and your accountant.
- Bank Negara 5 sen cash rounding is recorded on the document and on each cash tender, never on card or e-wallet tenders.
The rules
- F&B service tax is 6% (Group B). 8% applies to alcohol, facility rental, corkage and entertainment inside the premises.
- The restaurant registration threshold is RM1.5 million in 12 months. Check the current figure with Customs before relying on it.
- Returns are on form SST-02 every two months, due by the last day of the following month. Tax is due when payment is received.
Royal Malaysian Customs Department, MySST guides and FAQ.
e-Invoice (LHDN MyInvois)
Whether you are in scope depends on revenue and on how your outlets are structured. ChowChirp keeps the records either way.
In the product
- Issued, consolidated and self-billed e-Invoice records are tracked step by step with their validation identifiers where available.
- Consolidated monthly records for walk-in sales are prepared from your sales, with individual records flagged for any single transaction of RM10,000 or more.
- Where a MyInvois connection is configured, consolidated submissions can be sent and supplier e-Invoices pulled from the inbox. Otherwise everything is kept as a record for your accountant.
- Every screen says what was recorded, what was sent and what LHDN validated. Nothing is labelled validated on its own.
The rules
- From 1 September 2026, businesses with annual revenue below RM3 million are exempt from mandatory e-Invoicing. Related-company and holding structures can affect eligibility, so multi-outlet groups should check.
- Businesses with revenue between RM1 million and RM5 million are in Phase 4. The interim relaxation runs to 31 December 2027, with penalties from 1 January 2028.
- Consolidated e-Invoices are due within seven calendar days after month end. A single transaction of RM10,000 or more needs its own e-Invoice.
- Delivery platforms issue the consumer e-Invoice for platform orders and self-bill merchants for commissions. Restaurants cover their direct sales.
Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (LHDN), e-Invoice Guideline and Specific Guideline, general FAQ.
Labour and payroll records
The roster and payroll screens know the rules that matter on the floor, and warn as you work.
In the product
- Roster warnings for hours over 12 in a shift or 55 in a week, short rest, minors after curfew, expired foreign-worker permits and expired food-handler or typhoid certificates. Blocking issues stop publishing.
- Payroll runs record EPF, SOCSO and EIS lines and flag statutory exceptions for foreign workers and minors.
- Service charge is distributed equally, by hours or by role weight, and the lines always add up to the pool exactly.
- Templates for weekday, weekend, Ramadan and public-holiday weeks.
The rules
- The minimum wage is RM1,700 per month and applies to foreign workers.
- EPF contributions for foreign workers are 2% employer and 2% employee from October 2025 wages.
- SOCSO and EIS contributions are table-based with a RM6,000 wage ceiling.
- Rules for Sabah and Sarawak differ from the Employment Act 1955. ChowChirp shows a banner rather than a wrong number for outlets there.
Employment Act 1955 as amended 2022, EPF Act 1991, Employees' Social Security Act 1969, Employment Insurance System Act 2017, Minimum Wages Order 2024.
Food safety, halal and licensing evidence
Inspectors ask for records. ChowChirp keeps them in the flow of the shift and assembles them into a pack.
In the product
- Food-handler training and anti-typhoid vaccination tracked per person, with expiry reminders and roster blocks.
- Temperature, cooking, cooling, cleaning, pest, incident and licence records with sign-off.
- Halal certificate records and reviews, contamination logs, sertu records and a not-halal flag on stock items.
- Inspection packs for MOH, JAKIM, DBKL or MeSTI shared through an expiring, logged link. Readiness is shown as the specific gaps to close.
The rules
- Food handlers need training at an MOH-recognised school and anti-typhoid vaccination under the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009.
- MeSTI is the MOH baseline food-safety certification for small and medium operators and a prerequisite for JAKIM halal certification.
- DBKL and other local authorities grade premises. ChowChirp records the grade given; it never computes one.
Ministry of Health Malaysia, Food Hygiene Regulations 2009; JAKIM Malaysian Halal Certification Procedure Manual; local authority licensing pages.
Personal data (PDPA)
Staff and customer data are handled as the Personal Data Protection Act expects, in the product design.
In the product
- Identity numbers, permits and contact details live in an encrypted vault, separate from the business record.
- Every view of an identity number and every person export is logged.
- Customer records are consent first. Screens show masked keys and consent badges, never raw contact details. Erasure requests are recorded and verified.
- Support access is time-boxed, read-only, approved by the owner and never impersonates a user.
The rules
- The Personal Data Protection Act 2010 applies to commercial use of personal data in Malaysia. ChowChirp does not claim certification under it.
Personal Data Protection Act 2010.
Frequently asked questions
Is my restaurant in scope for e-Invoice?
As of September 2026, businesses under RM3 million annual revenue are exempt, but related-company structures can change that. ChowChirp keeps e-Invoice records whether or not you are in scope, and your accountant decides the filing position.
Does ChowChirp file SST or submit e-Invoices?
It prepares and records. Filing SST is your accountant's act. Consolidated e-Invoice submissions can be sent where a MyInvois connection is configured, and the screen says exactly what was sent and what was validated.
Is ChowChirp halal certified or MeSTI certified?
Certification applies to your premises, not to software. ChowChirp keeps the records those programmes ask for and shows the gaps. The authority decides.
Does it work in Bahasa Melayu?
Yes, every screen, and each person chooses their own language.
See ChowChirp on your own invoices.
A 30-minute walkthrough on a screen share. Bring three real supplier invoices and we will run them through the review loop live.