One Stop Centres are there to help

UNDERSTANDING and recognising the importance of efficiency, clear guidelines and timelines for investment decisions were two of the main driving forces in establishing the One Stop Centre (OSC) at local authorities in April 2007.

To support the initiative, the Local Government Department under the Housing and Local Government Ministry had produced and circulated to all industry players – including professionals, developers, contractors, regulatory bodies and government agencies and authorities – Templates of Common Procedures and Requirements for 32 types of development applications that could be submitted to local authorities.

Such common templates address the issues of non- transparency and non- uniformity across 12 states and 103 local authorities in peninsular Malaysia, and the 103 OSCS are being monitored regularly by the department via Portal OSC.

The department shares the writer’s frustration (“Red tape a turnoff” – The Star, Dec 28) and at the same time realises that there are many factors which contribute to delays in approving a development application.

With more details, the department will be able to assist in dealings with the local authority. Please feel free to contact aminah@kpkt.gov.my or at 019-285 9817. DATUK HALIMI ABDUL MANAF, Local Government Department, Housing and Local Government Ministry.