By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Oct 15: Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong has urged the Sarawak government to reclaim greater control over business licensing administration and resolve long-standing problems of severe delays, lengthy queues and outdated procedures at the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) Kuching office.
Yong pointed out that business owners were still forced to endure inefficient processes when registering or renewing their business licences, despite the availability of digital technology that could simplify such transactions.
“Some business owners told me that they have to arrive as early as 6am just to secure a queue number due to the limited number of tickets issued, with some only completing their transactions at around 3.30pm if they are lucky,” she said when debating the Sarawak Budget 2027 at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUNS) sitting today.
Adding to their frustration, she said, was the fact that payments were accepted only in cash.
“What businesses need is simple, register online, renew online, pay online and receive their licences electronically. They are asking for efficient services, not special treatment,” she said.
Yong highlighted that the difficulties did not end with the long waiting hours, as business owners who failed to complete their transactions before the payment counter’s 3.30pm cut-off could be forced to return the following day.
She explained that the cut-off was linked to cash-in-transit (CIT) arrangements for banking collections into the Sarawak State Treasury, potentially leaving business owners unable to settle their payments despite having spent hours waiting.
“This problem must be reviewed. In this digital age, government services should not be held back by outdated cash-handling procedures,” she stressed.
Beyond the immediate inconvenience faced by business owners, Yong questioned why Sarawak continued to rely on a federal agency to administer and collect payments for business licensing matters within the State.
She pointed out that the Businesses, Professions and Trades Licensing Ordinance 1955 (Cap. 33) formed part of the legal framework governing business licensing in Sarawak, although its administration involved federal, State and local authorities.
While acknowledging that Sarawak could not unilaterally amend federal laws, she said federal jurisdiction should not be used as a reason to delay solutions to problems affecting local businesses.
“Sarawak’s representation on the LHDN Board should push for solutions. If legislation needs to be amended, pursue it. If Treasury procedures are the obstacle, engage the Ministry of Finance. If administrative practices are causing delays, change them,” she said.
To address the long-standing problems, Yong outlined four measures for the State government to pursue.
First, she called for a review of the 3.30pm cash payment cut-off and the introduction of cashless payment facilities to give business owners greater flexibility in completing their transactions.
“Second, accelerate digitalisation and extend the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) initiative to Kuching. Third, get our Sarawak’s representative on the LHDN Board to engage directly with LHDN and the Ministry of Finance to resolve federal administrative and legislative barriers affecting the licensing process,” she suggested.
She added that State representation would serve little purpose if it did not lead to tangible improvements in services and the resolution of problems faced by Sarawakian businesses.
Fourth, she urged the Sarawak government to engage the federal government to restore greater State control over business licensing administration.
“It is time for Sarawak to take back control of its business licensing matters,” she said. — DayakDaily
