KUCHING, Jan 12: A pilot project aimed at streamlining business license application and renewal processes is currently in progress to eliminate unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles that could lead to delays.
Minister of Public Health, Housing, and Local Government Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian emphasised the lack of uniformity between divisions in the current procedures for obtaining business licenses in Sarawak.
“The process is burdensome across multiple agencies in both Federal and State levels, and the application process for approval is therefore time-consuming.
“In Kuching, people often queue early in the morning just to secure a number for business license application renewals,” he said in a post on his social media yesterday (Jan 11).
This statement came after he chaired the Regulation Experiment (RE) project implementation meeting for business license application in Sarawak held at Wisma Bapa Malaysia the same day.
Dr Sim revealed that the pilot project would involve 13 local authorities (PBT) in four divisions, namely Kuching, Sri Aman, Sibu, and Miri.
“This will involve transferring the role and responsibility of managing business name registration and trade license applications ultimately to the PBT in the four divisions,” he said.
He also disclosed that the Ministry of Finance Malaysia has given preliminary approval and temporarily authorised the Sarawak government for the RE project.
The local authorities involved in the project include Bau District Council, Lundu District Council, Kuching South City Council (MBKS), Kuching North City Commission (DBKU), Padawan Municipal Council (MPP), Sri Aman District Council, Lubok Antu District Council, Sibu Municipal Council (SMC), Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC), Kanowit District Council, Miri City Council (MCC), Subis District Council, and Marudi District Council.
Dr Sim expressed gratitude to Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) Sarawak and the Premier of Sarawak’s Department’s Transformation and Innovation Unit for initiating this project. — DayakDaily
