Easier way to deal with councils
03/07/2007 NST By : Minderjeet Kaur

KUALA LUMPUR: The setting up of one-stop centres in Putrajaya, Labuan and here will make dealing with local authorities easier and faster.

The three centres were opened two weeks ago, and Federal Territories Minister Datuk Zulhasnan Rafique said they would handle everything from complaints about clogged drains to building permits for multi-million-ringgit projects and other permits.

He promised that simple matters would be handled within two weeks, while more complicated ones would take up to four months.

"Sometimes, a simple application to renovate a house or to get an appointment to meet the right person at the local authority can take months.

"At other times, applicants have to drive to different departments in different buildings just to check on the status of an application," he said after visiting the one-stop centre in the lobby of City Hall yesterday.

Other than handling complaints and applications to City Hall, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, representatives from the Federal Territory land office and the Fire and Rescue Department will be on hand to deal with queries.

In April, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi called on local authorities to reduce red tape.

"People can come in, take a number and settle their problems. If their documentation is incomplete, they will be given another appointment. Everything can be processed at the counters. And applicants can also check the status of their documents," said Zulhasnan, adding that this meant that people would no longer have to deal with several people in various departments.

He also said his ministry and City Hall had begun to review development plans for the government’s one- and two-room low-cost apartments, some of which are older than 25 years.

Abdullah announced last month that about 15,000 low-cost public housing units built in the city through the National Economic Action Council and the Housing and Local Government Ministry would be sold to deserving buyers.  

The new units will have three bedrooms and two bathrooms and available for RM35,000 each.