Thursday, September 11, 2008

Some Bright Spots In Government Delivery Systems



I am pro-good government. PEMUDAH at least is doing many things correctly, and should continue its good work. The link below is to the many areas of improvements implemented in various government business processes.

http://www.pemudah.gov.my/improvements.asp

Some of them are worth highlighting:

a) E-Payment (July 2008) From 1 July 2008, the infrastructure to enable e-Payment to the Government is in place. However, counter service would still be made available for those who prefer to make payments the traditional/conventional way. Members of the public can now opt to make e-payment by:
  • credit card or debit card at the counter;
  • direct debit or credit card using the Financial Process Exchange (FPX) as the Payment Gateway via an agency's portal or the MyGov Portal; or
  • Internet banking by direct debit or credit card via a bank's portal.

Among the numerous e-payment services available are driver's licence and road tax renewals, and settlement of summonses at Road Transport Department branches. Payment through e-services is also accepted at 111 approved sites for the booking of theory tests, issuance and renewal of learner driving licences, and renewal of competent driving licences. Other departments and ministries that have extended their online services include The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) for traffic summonses, the Immigration Department, Land and Mines Department, Inland Revenue Board (IRB), Ministry of Education, Ministry of Finance and Public Service Department. Settlement of the Assessment Tax through e-payment is also accepted for most of the local councils throughout the country.

b) Establishment of One-Stop Centre for Incorporation of Companies

(August 2008) A One-Stop Centre to expedite the incorporation of companies has been established in the Small and Medium Industries Development Corporation (SMIDEC ) since 11 August 2008. The centre operates from Mondays and Wednesdays from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Among the agencies present at the one-stop centre are Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), Inland Revenue Board (IRB), Employees Provident Fund (EPF), Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) and Royal Malaysian Customs (KDRM).

Representatives from financial institutions i.e. Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Berhad (MIDF), SME Bank, Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) and Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Berhad (CGC) will be present at the centre on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The One Stop Centre is located at the 19th Floor, West Wing, Menara MATRADE, Jalan Khidmat Usaha, Off Jalan Duta, 50480 Kuala Lumpur.

c) Publication of The Guidebook on Registering Property [Freehold] in Malaysia (July 2008) The guidebook was launched on 31 July 2008. The publication of the guidebook aims to assist members of the business community, potential investors and the man-in-the-street in navigating through the processes and procedures for registering property. It will also create awareness and provide information and proper procedures on registering property in Malaysia . This is enhance transparency and also provide benchmarks for the all the State Authorities. This is the first in series of guidebook on registering property, with guidebooks for strata-title and leasehold properties are expected to be launched in 2009.

d) Business Licensing Electronic Support System (BLESS) (February 2008)

BLESS is an on-line One-Stop Centre that will provide information on business licensing and licences application processing services. It features:

  • Simultaneous processing of multiple licensing involving multiple agencies which provide faster turnaround time;
  • Composite and standardised of forms; and
  • On-line tracking and monitoring in order to enhance transparency and accountability

The development of BLESS for the Manufacturing Sector has been completed and rolled out in the Klang Valley since February 2008. BLESS for Construction and Hotel Sectors will be implemented for the Klang Valley only at a later date before being rolled out nationwide.

p/s photos: Son Dam Bi

2 comments:

clk said...

I recently send 1 suggestion to Pemundah to facilitate tax filing. They responded to me in 1 day, call me the next day to clarify my suggestion and within next day emailed me that the matter is under consideration.

I nearly fell off my chair over my simple suggestion and the responses obtained. I hope they'll implement my suggestion.

Datuk said...

Dear Dali,

Agreed with your opinion...all of us should pro good government especially when the respective agency had triggered initiatives and streamlined processes for the overall service improvement.

This is crucial and deciding factor in our quest for closing back the gap in attracting FDI to Malaysia.

I'm not sure to what extent Pemudah can render a meaningful help when come to factory relocation.

Factory relocation in Malaysia...involved the
majils perbandaran, pejabat tanah, jabatan mesin, jabatan saluran dan parit, jabatan alam sekitar, jabatan kesihatan,jabatan bomba and PDRM (for certain industries). Some of the approval are mutually exclusive and it take years of coordination to get the ultimate permit and license to the operator. In between, the operators has to operate business without propoer license and permit. Thus, subject to other type of problems...

In my opinion...we are heading to the right direction macrolly but far from perfection when come to the implementation and execution. The little Napolean in the respective departments need to be hang to death if we really want to produce significant impact.