The business licence application process can be lengthy due to the involvement of multiple agencies at the federal, state and local levels.
Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil said that different authorities are responsible for issuing business name registration, trade licences and operating licence.
“The Inland Revenue Board (IRB) office in Kuching is currently responsible for issuing Business Name Registration licences for Kuching district only.
“Meanwhile, the Sarawak Treasury Department or District Offices issue business name and trade licences under the Business Names Ordinance 1932, while local authorities issue operating licences for service-oriented businesses under the Local Authorities Ordinance 1996,” he said.
He was responding to Tebedu assemblyman Dr Simon Sinang Bada during Q&A session today.
According to Penguang, the layered regulatory of frameworks can sometimes become complicated due to the overlap between federal, state and the local authorities, depending on the nature of business application.
“However, for medium- and high-risk businesses, the IRB may require input from agencies such as the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) or other relevant authorities,” he said.
To streamline the process, Penguang said the ministry, together with the Sarawak Transformation and Innovation Unit (STIU) and the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC), has implemented Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) pilot projects in Sibu and Kanowit.
“The pilot project has shown positive results and will be expanded statewide to create a more investor-friendly business ecosystem in line with the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030,” he said.
Penguang added that under Phase 2 of the EODB initiative and the Electronic Government Activities Act 2007 (Act 680), the State plans to adopt digital signatures, subject to approval from the Ministry of Finance.
He noted that the initiative will further enhance the efficiency in issuing the business name registrations, trade and operating licences.
