KUCHING: The Sarawak government is currently working on an online information system to ease application procedures between the business communities and the state agencies.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said, “It will be just as what has been done in the Land and Survey Department. Applicants can register and get their land titles within one or two days through online transactions with the department.
“I have asked the local authority to have this basic data.
“We call it business data and it will be stored in one main data which we are going to establish. That is Sarawak ID data where all information will be merged on one platform,” he said during the Chief Minister’s Webinar entitled ‘Sarawak 2021 Budget: Towards A High-Income Society In 2030’ hosted by the Sarawak Business Federation on Monday.
He said Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (SAINS) and Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) had been tasked to work on the system.
“When we deliver this data system, I hope it will be able to solve the issue of applying and renewing trade licences within the Sarawak government agencies.
“I cannot talk about the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) which is subjected to the federal policy,” he said.
Earlier, Sarawak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) treasurer Anne Kung pointed out the concerns of the business community in view of the current Covid-19 pandemic situation.
She said small and medium enterprises (SME) had to wait in long queues at the IRB just to make their yearly renewal or apply for the trade licences.
“The registration or renewal has to be made in person because there is no online option. We know that the chief minister is a champion of a more efficient delivery of services via technology.
“If these trade licences are necessary, can we use an online platform so that there is no need for us to go in person every year to renew them?” she asked. Kung also asked whether the trade licences could be renewed for a period of five years instead of yearly.
