KUCHING: Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii has called on the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) to improve its efficiency in registering and renewing business trade licences.
In a statement, Dr Yii said he received multiple complaints from the public, especially regarding the long waiting hours and the limited queue numbers handed out daily.
“Many had no choice but to return a few times on different days just to get this settled.
“This caused much inconvenience to those who have to take time off work to do this, or those who need to travel far just to renew their business licence,” he said after a visit to LHDN here on Thursday (Jan 5).
He disclosed that LHDN currently gave out about 100 queue numbers a day to ensure they can cater and able to process for those amount of people before they close for the day.
He added that the delay was due to the changes in renewing trade licence for sole proprietorship, enterprise and business registration and the loading of the system.
Dr Yii also said that discussion had been made on opening more counters and LHDN gave the assurance that more counters would open up on the third floor of the premises starting Friday (Jan 6).
“This is to specifically proceed “Sdn Bhd” renewals so that other renewals and registrations can be done quicker.”
On top of that, he said a proper appointment system had been proposed for the elderly and people with disabilities to prevent them from waiting too long.
He also called for a long-term solution in addressing the problem and the current system needed to be improved to cater to the needs of the public.
Recalling his last visit to LHDN, he said they were informed that LHDN would implement online registration, which was delayed until today.
“The officer-in-charge has given us the assurance that such system will be open to public by end of the month which, if properly implemented, allows the public to do their business registration and all online without need to turn up physically at the counter.
“This can help with the congestion and also make it much more convenient for the public.
“On top of that, I believe there is a need to reform, and even prolong the licencing renewal period to maybe once in two years so that they do not need to return yearly merely just to renew a licence.”
Dr Yii added that he would continue to monitor the progress of the recommendations as well as the implementation of the online registration to ensure the issue at hand is resolved.
