SIBU – The Sarawak Government has launched a pilot project in Sibu aimed at simplifying the business registration and licensing process through a centralised system under the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) initiative.
The project, which is also being trialled in Kanowit, is designed to streamline services that previously required applicants to visit three separate government departments. With the new system in place at the Sarawak Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) in Sibu, aspiring business owners can now complete the entire registration and licensing process at one location.
Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Operations) and EODB Project Advisor, Datu Hii Chang Kee, explained that the new approach enables applicants to fill out just one form and make only two visits—first to apply and pay, and then to collect the licence.
“Previously, starting a business involved visiting the District Office, the Treasury, and the local authority separately. Now, everything can be done at UTC or the Sarawak Service Centre,” Datu Hii told reporters during a visit to UTC Sibu on Friday.
Applications involving only name registration and business licences are expected to be approved within five working days. Meanwhile, applications that require council-issued operating licences will be processed within 14 working days, depending on the risk level of the business premises.
High-risk businesses such as karaoke centres, entertainment venues, tuition centres, and petroleum storage facilities will take up to 30 working days for approval, as these require inspections and clearance from agencies including the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), and the Education Department.
The pilot will run for six months, and any legal amendments required to establish councils as permanent one-stop centres will be considered based on its success.
Licensing services under this initiative are available from Monday to Friday between 8:00 am and 3:30 pm. Weekend applications are not accepted due to reliance on bank operating hours for payment systems.
Datu Hii encouraged entrepreneurs in Sibu to take advantage of the streamlined process, which is expected to boost local economic activity by easing the path for new business ventures.
