Pilot project to smoothen business registration process to kick off Aug 1 in Sibu, Kanowit

Borneo Post

21-07-2025

(Seated, from left) Sempurai, Tiang, Dr Sim, Hii, Loh and others pose with the thumbs-up gesture during a photo-call.
SIBU (July 22): A pilot project to reform the process of starting up a business in Sarawak will be implemented effective this Aug 1, in the districts of Sibu and Kanowit, and will be running for six months.
According to Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, the project was spearheaded by the state government through the Sarawak Transformation and Innovation Unit in the Sarawak Premier's Department; Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government; and Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC).
He said under the pilot project, all business registrations involving business name, trade licence and operating licence applications would be coordinated by one agency, namely the local authorities in Sibu and Kanowit, via one facilitation centre.
'Applicants will only need to fill in one composite form that captures all necessary information for business name registration, trade licence and operating licence applications.
'The pilot project targets a processing time from application to licence collection within 14 working days for low-risk businesses, while high-risk business applications such as sales of gas, entertainment centres, elderly or childcare centres and reflexology centres will be processed within 30 working days,' he said in a press conference here yesterday.
Dr Sim added that for applications requiring only the business name and trade licence, the licence could be collected within five working days, while licences for those requiring an operating licence could be collected within 14 working days.
'This means applicants only need to visit the counter a maximum of two times. Studies show that licence processing time for business registration may take up to 60 days or more.
'Through this project, the processing time will be reduced from over 60 working days to only 14 or up to 30 working days.'
Earlier, Dr Sim said business registration in Sarawak typically involves three main components depending on the type of business, namely the business name registration, trade licence and operating licence.
These are governed by Chapter 64 of the Business Names Ordinance 1958, Chapter 33 of the Businesses, Professions and Trades Licensing Ordinance 1958, Local Authorities Ordinance 1996 and other various regulations and bylaws.
'At present, business registration in Sarawak involves various government departments and agencies such as Inland Revenue Board, District Offices, Divisional Treasury Department and Local Authorities.
'For instance, in Sibu District, the process involves the Sibu District Office, Sibu Divisional Treasury Department, and two local authorities namely the Sibu Municipal Council and Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC).
'On top of the agencies that I have mentioned, there is still approval from agencies that may be required, such as from the Fire and Rescue Department, Land and Survey Department and the Health Department.
'Due to this requirement, applicants are required to deal with multiple agencies at various locations, making the process inefficient and time-consuming. In addition, applicants are required to fill in multiple forms, depending on the business type and licenses applied for,' he said.
According to the Deputy Premier, this effort was crucial to stimulate business activities in Sarawak and position the region as a more investor-friendly destination.
'Therefore, Sarawak must act swiftly to seize this opportunity by accelerating and streamlining the investment and business processes. This pilot project is a strategic step in that direction.
'We aim to ensure Sarawak remains competitive as an investment destination that offers administrative efficiency, process certainty, and strong governmental support to the business community.
'I urge all agencies involved to give their full commitment and support to ensure the success of this pilot project, which will serve as the foundation for statewide implementation across Sarawak,' he said.
He added that under the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030, the Sarawak government had been actively driving digitalisation initiatives for business registration to boost public confidence in transacting with the government via online platforms.
'Existing systems such as e-R&DO and e-LA2 will also be upgraded in the near term to support this digital initiative,' he said.
Also present were Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Sarawak Datuk Michael Tiang, Deputy State Secretary Datu Hii Chang Kee, the ministry's permanent secretary Datu Elizabeth Loh and SRDC chairman Sempurai Petrus Ngelai. business registration Dr Sim Kui Hian lead start-up businesses