KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 — The documentation process, technical evaluation and approval period of licences for premises like entertainment centres, factories, and kindergartens have been shortened to a maximum of 14 working days compared to 32 previously.
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the initiative reduced the number of documents applicants are required to submit to only four.
“We have set aside manual documentation and correspondence, whereby reviews and technical evaluations during or after site visits are now done online.
“The ministry (KPKT) is now moving towards transforming the management of licensing affairs by the local authorities’ licensing departments, as well as technical departments or agencies.
“It is to ensure transparency and integrity in the management of licence applications as well as improve the efficiency of government services,” he said in a statement today.
Meanwhile, KPKT, in collaboration with the local authorities, is always proactive in facilitating business licence applications for local traders operating in small stalls, roadside stalls, and other premises.
Via the local authorities, the ministry also implemented various initiatives, including shortening the approval period for small business permits and relaxing some of the existing conditions if necessary.
Other initiatives include extending business hours and the number of days for business operations, increasing vending areas, and enforcing the issuance and monitoring of business licenses and permits to Malaysian citizens only.
“In 2024, KPKT introduced the guidelines for the One Stop Centre local authority licensing system (OSC PBT) to standardise the process, documentation, application procedures, and licence approval at the local authority level.
“These guidelines prepared together with the OSC PBT licensing system will standardise the local authorities’ documentation process and approval period for risk-free licences, including retail shops, hawkers, and office business licences, to no more than 24 hours,” Nga said.
The minister added that the guidelines and the OSC Licensing System were established based on the Local Government Act 1976 (Act 171) which will be adopted by all local authorities in Peninsular Malaysia first, and later extended to Sabah and Sarawak.
— Bernama
