Melaka: Melaka has emerged as one of the leading states in implementing the Bureaucratic Red Tape Reform (RKB) initiative, recording annual savings of RM13.5 million through various efficiency initiatives that have accelerated government processes. Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said the implementation of RKB in the state not only reduced costs but also sped up government approval processes by up to 75 percent.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Shamsul Azri emphasized that prioritizing the people and simplifying business processes enhances operational efficiency, reduces costs, and increases productivity. He stated that the RKB initiative proves that public service can always be improved for the benefit of the people. These remarks were made while he was presenting RKB Project Certificates in conjunction with the Melaka MADANI Rakyat Programme (PMR) 2025 at Merlimau Polytechnic.
The event was attended by Melaka State Secretary Datuk Azhar Arshad and Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) director-general Datuk Zahid Ismail. Shamsul Azri highlighted that the savings were achieved through four RKB projects involving various state agencies, including the Melaka Land and Mines Office (PTG) and local authorities, aimed at improving administrative operations and enhancing service delivery efficiency.
A significant initiative was the enhancement of the Second Edition of the Development Proposal Report (LCP) Manual, Melaka Amendment by PTG Melaka in collaboration with PLANMalaysia@Melaka. This initiative successfully reduced the land acquisition process from 36 months to just six months through an integrated and simultaneous technical review. Shamsul Azri noted that this achievement makes Melaka the first state to integrate land acquisition data within the development plan approval process, marking a productive and innovative reform in state administration.
The savings not only involved government agencies but also benefited the private sector by reducing the time and duration required for project implementation. Shamsul Azri stated that efforts to cut bureaucratic red tape and strengthen artificial intelligence (AI) integration would remain central to the Malaysia MADANI agenda, steering the public sector towards becoming agile, inclusive, and people-centered.
Meanwhile, Datuk Zahid Ismail of the MPC emphasized that as the lead agency for RKB implementation, the focus remains on tangible outcomes and impact rather than mere procedural improvements. He stated that every reform must yield real benefits to the people and businesses, positioning Melaka as a data-driven, results-oriented state productivity model.