RKB: MDKP’S E-LESEN CUTS BUSINESS LICENCE APPROVAL TO ONE DAY, BOOSTS EFFICIENCY

SEREMBAN, Nov 29 (Bernama) -- Business licence applications at the Kuala Pilah District Council (MDKP) can now be processed within 24 hours, eliminating the need for cumbersome procedures, thanks to the e-Lesen platform developed by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT).

For small traders in the district, this change is more than a convenience; it enables them to concentrate on earning a living without being weighed down by lengthy and arduous administrative procedures.

MDKP president Nawal Mohamed Amin said the digital system not only accelerated the application process from 10 days to just 24 hours but also served as a model of administrative transformation in government agencies, directly benefiting the public, particularly small traders, who could now start their businesses with greater ease.

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“Previously, applications were handled manually using physical forms and required multiple sequential checks across various departments. The process was time-consuming, causing delays in licence approvals and making it difficult for traders to begin operations.

“Applicants had to visit counters repeatedly to submit documents and check the status of their applications. With the introduction of e-Lesen, this period has been reduced to just one day, which not only speeds up the process but also reduces the cost for applicants,” she told Bernama recently.

Nawal said the e-Lesen system was implemented under the Negeri Sembilan Bureaucratic Red Tape Reform (RKB) initiative, in line with the Local Authority Digitalisation agenda and the MADANI Economic Policy.

She said the system was rolled out entirely by MDKP in-house, at no external cost, through collaboration between the IT staff and the licensing unit.

Nawal explained that MDKP’s comprehensive digital system allowed applicants to upload supporting documents, complete electronic forms, and check the status of their applications 24 hours a day.

Previously, she said records were kept physically without system integration, making it difficult for applicants to track their application status.

“MDKP has taken a significant step towards full digitalisation. The system aligns with our licensing processes and complies with the relevant by-laws, making the application process more efficient, transparent, and user-friendly,” she said.

Nawal said the implementation of e-Lesen has had a positive impact on both traders and the council, including an estimated annual compliance cost saving of RM1.01 million for 3,000 applications and a reduction in applicants’ costs from RM350 to RM15 per application.

According to her, the rollout of the system also involved the Licensing, Information Technology, and Enforcement divisions to ensure smooth and effective operations.

“The system also fosters a data- and technology-driven work culture among our staff. It proves that local authorities can be innovative without burdening the public,” she said.

Meanwhile, Siti Solehah Shuhaimi, 29, said that the council’s efforts to speed up new licence applications for emerging traders were a welcome initiative, as it eased the process for them and was in line with current technological developments.

“I have been in business for more than five years, and the procedures used to be entirely manual. Online processes like this are really helpful and certainly make things easier for many people, especially young entrepreneurs,” said Siti Solehah, who runs her family business, Lomang Tok Lobai, in Kuala Pilah.

For dE Kopi owner Mohd Khairulnizam Mohd Yunus, 44, online applications have enhanced operational efficiency and streamlined business processes, while also providing greater opportunities for new traders to enter the business world, even on a small scale.

He said that Kuala Pilah’s wide array of local products and traditional cuisine offered promising opportunities for wider marketing and could encourage young entrepreneurs to start their own business ventures.

-- BERNAMA