Ministry to improve planning permission application process

The local government development ministry is taking proactive steps to improve the planning permission application process, especially involving the industrial sector, in an effort to facilitate business.

Its minister Nga Kor Ming said among the things given priority is a study to reduce the period of the planning permission application process set in OSC 3.0 Plus, including the proposed amendment of the time frame for development.

He said the reduction of protocols and approval procedures for planning permission will not affect the quality of government services to the people and at the same time will comply with all relevant legislation.

"Among the initiatives considered to speed up the authorisation application process is the implementation of a more organised and integrated prerequisite, pre-consultation and technical review process.

"It is implemented online through a new module, which will be improved into the OSC 3.0 Plus online system, before an official application is submitted to the OSC," he said in a statement issued by the ministry in Kuala Lumpur today.
 
In addition, the self-regulation initiative was also introduced, with the principal submitting person being empowered and responsible to confirm that all the rules and technical requirements of an application have been complied with, specifically for modification work and applications in the small planning permission category.

At the same time, he said the local authorities (PBT) also implemented measures to facilitate the approval process for the development plan and construction permit applications, including through the E10 initiative and the Kulai Fast Lane by the Kulai municipal council.

It is a pilot effort in expediting the construction permit approval process in areas that have been reserved as industrial zones.

"The initiative aims to facilitate the investment and business process through early planning as well as providing a more efficient interaction platform between investors and local authorities. Once it is refined, this initiative will be standardised and used as a method to expand its implementation by other PBT," he said.