by DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, June 25: The Sarawak government will launch a pilot project to digitise the business registration process starting August 2025, as part of efforts to improve the system and reduce approval times, which currently could stretch up to 60 days.
According to a report by Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas), the pilot project, spearheaded by the Sarawak Transformation and Innovation Unit (STIU) in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government (MPHLG) and the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC), will first be implemented in Sibu.
Business registration applications will be processed by the Local Authorities, with operations centralised at the Sibu UTC Building and the Kanowit District Council.
This move is expected to speed up the registration approval period, which previously could take up to 60 days. The system is expected to simplify and centralise the current process, which typically involves various agencies.
Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Operation), Datu Hii Chang Kee who also serves as the advisor to this pilot project described the business registration process reform as a highly strategic initiative that aligns with the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS 2030), which positions the enhancement of Ease of Doing Business (EODB) as one of the key strategic thrusts to make Sarawak a more investor-friendly destination in the region.
He called on all agencies involved, whether Federal or Sarawak Government agencies, to work together and pool resources and ideas to ensure the successful implementation of this pilot project.
STIU, MPHLG, and MPC as the joint coordinating agencies for this project informed that more details will be shared with the public ahead of the implementation of the pilot project.
Currently, a standard business registration involves three main processes, namely business name registration, application for trade licence, and application for operating licence.
For the Sri Aman, Sibu and Miri districts, the main process involves more than three government agencies such as the District Office, Divisional Treasury Office and local authorities.
“This does not yet take into account the involvement of technical agencies such as the Fire and Rescue Department (BOMBA), Land and Survey Department, Health Department, and other relevant Federal or Sarawak agencies, depending on the nature of the business applied for.”
The statement emphasised that based on studies, the waiting period for business registration approval in Sarawak could reach up to 60 days or more.
“The findings of this study have prompted the Sarawak government to review the business registration process in the State with the aim of shortening the waiting period and centralising application submissions through a single agency,” it stated. – DayakDaily
