Red Tape Reform Delivers Major Benefits To Public, Business Community - Academic

By Abdul Hamid A Rahman

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 29 (Bernama) -- The people and the business community have become the biggest beneficiaries of the Bureaucratic Red Tape Reform (RKB), as various government processes can now be completed more quickly, compliance costs have been reduced, and service transparency has improved.

Senior lecturer at Universiti Teknologi MARA’s Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies, Dr Mazlan Che Soh, said RKB delivers two main benefits to the public.

“First, critical service processes that previously took months can now be completed within days or even hours.

“This includes matters such as land applications, welfare assistance and micro licence approvals, which were traditionally seen as cumbersome and required multiple visits to government counters,” he told Bernama.

The second benefit is improved business and investor confidence through clearer procedures, faster approval times and more consistent guidelines across states and agencies.

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“These changes have a direct impact on the public, as consistent and predictable services make it easier to plan both life and business. This reform transforms the government from a regulator into a facilitator, and ultimately, the people become the greatest beneficiaries,” said Mazlan.

He emphasised that time is the most valuable form of capital for citizens and businesses.

“Shortening approval times not only accelerates decision-making but also reduces incidental costs such as travelling to government offices, additional administrative work and runner fees that have long been burdensome.

“For example, if the approval period for a business licence is cut from 14 days to 24 hours, entrepreneurs can start operating immediately and generate income more quickly. That is the real economic value for them,” said Mazlan.

He noted that several states have also shown positive outcomes as “fast-track” processes and digitalisation efforts are intensified.

“In Johor, Selangor and Penang, better coordination between local authorities and state investment agencies, together with systems such as OSC 3.0 and e-Tanah, has reduced bureaucratic uncertainty, simplified business procedures and accelerated job opportunities.

“Digitalisation plays a key role in making life easier for the public through systems such as e-Penghulu, Rumah Mampu Milik Johor (RMMJ) and one-stop portals. Besides minimising human interactions that often cause delays, digitalisation allows people to track the status of their applications without needing to go to the counter,” he said.

Mazlan pointed out that several challenges still need to be addressed to ensure the public continues to benefit from the reforms.

He suggested long-term approaches, including time-based regulations, public monitoring dashboards, digital skills training for civil servants, and the use of automation and artificial intelligence to streamline administrative processes.

“If these reforms are pursued with clear commitment, the public and businesses will continue to enjoy faster, more transparent and more responsive government services,” said Mazlan.

RKB is a government initiative implemented by the Malaysia Productivity Corporation. It aims to reduce red tape, accelerate permit, licence and project approvals, and enhance efficiency, transparency and accountability in public service delivery.

RKB is also a key component of the Public Service Reform Agenda 2024-2030.

-- BERNAMA