Almost a year of usage or already past a year? If it's still under warranty and you gotten it on contract from a telco, then you need to go back to the telco, which can also be a pain. If it's not under warranty, then yea, you can send it to whichever authorized shop most convenient to you.

Check here. You got choices of Machines, QCD, Maccity..etc
https://locate.apple.com/my/en/

It's a hit and miss, different people have different experiences with the shops. I guess that depends on what problem you have and who you engage with.

However, if you bought it from Apple online store, log a ticket with Apple online first, they will route the request for either collection from post or head to Apple authorized service center.