One-stop centres for CFs
Ong sets Dec 1 as deadline for the offices to open

The Star 23/11/2003 By Celeste Fong

KUALA LUMPUR: One-stop centres for the application of certificates of fitness for occupation (CFO) must be set up by Dec 1, said Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting.

He said this was in line with the call by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for a more efficient and transparent system of governance in the country.

“CFO applications must be simplified to avoid going through the bureaucratic process of waiting for the recommendations of numerous departments, which have in the past inconvenienced people.

“Don’t make the people run around many departments,” he added.

Ong said CFO applications now required only recommendations from one or two departments, instead of the certification from seven departments previously.

“We will allow professionals like architects to do self-certification and recommendations,” he told reporters yesterday after a surprise visit to the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) in Pandan Indah to assess the services provided there.

Ong said the date of submission of applications for CFOs must be stamped and applicants should get a reply from the centre within 14 days.

“Applicants must also be informed immediately of the areas they are not complying with if their applications have been rejected,” he added.

Ong said the MPAJ had still not set up the one-stop centre and he expects it to have one by Dec 1.

“Although MPAJ is under the state government, we will work closely with the Prime Minister to bring about positive changes.

“The Cabinet is working as a team and we will do spot checks on all departments and agencies,” he added.

Ong also urged all departments and agencies under the ministry to set up a special counter to serve senior citizens, the disabled, pregnant women and women with children.

Architect L.K. Chan, who was among those at MPAJ yesterday, said he finally got the approval for an extension project for a factory after more than one year and the delay was because the Machinery Department had not given its recommendation and certification.

“The Machinery Department has filled in ‘no comment’ despite MPAJ’s constant follow-ups asking for its recommendation and certification,” he said, adding the one-stop centre would be able to help solve the problem he and others like him are facing.

Earlier, Ong attended the International Conference on 100 Years of the Chinese in Malaysia: Review and Progress.

He said in his speech that in the past 100 years, the Chinese had built organisations, guilds and schools, even political parties to contribute positively to the country’s development.

“In retrospect, our forefathers who had gone through the two World Wars were still brave and courageous enough to work together with the Malays and Indians to fight for Malaysia’s independence.

“We should be proud of them and learn from them for the courage and determination they had shown us,” he added.

Over the years, Ong said, the Chinese community in Malaysia had evolved and the conference was timely to examine the political, economic and social aspect of the Chinese community in Malaysia in 100 years.