Kuala lumpur: The people and the business community have emerged as the primary beneficiaries of the Bureaucratic Red Tape Reform (RKB), with government processes becoming more efficient, compliance costs reduced, and service transparency enhanced. Senior lecturer at Universiti Teknologi MARA’s Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies, Dr. Mazlan Che Soh, emphasized that RKB has provided two main advantages to the public.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr. Mazlan highlighted that critical service processes, which previously required months, can now be completed within days or hours. This improvement affects services such as land applications, welfare assistance, and micro licence approvals, which traditionally involved cumbersome applications and multiple visits to government counters.
The reform has also bolstered business and investor confidence by offering clearer procedures, faster approval times, and consistent guidelines across states and agencies. Dr. Mazlan pointed out that these changes directly impact the public by facilitating more predictable services, thus easing planning for both life and business endeavors. This transformation of the government from a regulator to a facilitator ultimately benefits the people the most.
Dr. Mazlan stressed that time is a crucial asset for both citizens and businesses. Reducing approval times not only speeds up decision-making but also cuts down on incidental costs such as travel to government offices, additional administrative work, and runner fees. For instance, reducing the approval period for a business licence from 14 days to 24 hours allows entrepreneurs to start operations and generate income more swiftly, delivering real economic value.
Positive outcomes have been observed in several states, with ‘fast-track’ processes and digitalisation efforts gaining momentum. In Johor, Selangor, and Penang, improved coordination between local authorities and state investment agencies, coupled with systems like OSC 3.0 and e-Tanah, has reduced bureaucratic uncertainty, simplified business procedures, and accelerated job opportunities. Digitalisation has played a pivotal role in easing public interactions through systems like e-Penghulu, Rumah Mampu Milik Johor (RMMJ), and one-stop portals.
Despite these advancements, Dr. Mazlan acknowledged that challenges remain, necessitating continuous efforts to ensure the public reaps the benefits of these reforms. He proposed long-term strategies such as time-based regulations, public monitoring dashboards, digital skills training for civil servants, and leveraging automation and artificial intelligence to streamline administrative processes.
RKB, an initiative spearheaded by the Malaysia Productivity Corporation, seeks to minimize red tape, expedite permit, licence, and project approvals, and enhance efficiency, transparency, and accountability in public service delivery. It is also a crucial element of the Public Service Reform Agenda 2024-2030.