By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, March 7: Sarawak Entrepreneur Development Coordination Committee (SEDCC) will look into the registration of cottage industries such as ‘kek lapis’ entrepreneur who is operating business from home and e-commerce to facilitate the channeling of government assistance to them.
Deputy Premier of Sarawak Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the question is whether a residence can be used as an address of a business and this depends on the land use.
“By law, homes are not allowed to be used for business purposes so we have to review this matter. The matters for scrutinisation will cover not only the business address, but also what form of business they can operate from home.
“We have to come up with comprehensive guidelines. Presently, in our ordinance (not specified), it is not allowed to operate a business from home because home is for residency.
“But we know there are a lot (of businesses) operating from home so we will scrutinise on what can be operated from home, what is allowed and so on. Thus, we will engage with all relevant agencies on this matter,” he told a press conference during SEDCC meeting held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.
Awang Tengah who is also Sarawak Minister of International Trade, Industry and Investment and Second Minister for Natural Resources and Urban Development further said for short term measures, SEDCC has agreed that any government facilities such as ‘anjung usahawan’ and incubator centres can be used as business address for home-based businesses.
The SEDCC meeting has also decided on the setting up of Sarawak entrepreneurs’ database which can be used inter-agencies for planning and implementation of programmes to assist local micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Meanwhile, Malaysian Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperative Datuk Ewon Benedict said his ministry was allocated RM732 million in the yet-to-be-approved National Budget 2023.
“My ministry will make sure that Sarawak would also benefit from the budget allocated to the ministry.
“However, I cannot determine the details yet. Not to mention, Datuk Amar (Awang Tengah) has also instructed the residents and deputy residents present at the meeting to submit new proposals to the Ministry,” he stated.
Also present was Sarawak Deputy Minister of International Trade and Investment Datuk Malcolm Mussen Lamoh. — DayakDaily
