Fast-tracking approval
14/04/2007 The Star

A NEW One Stop Centre (OSC) has been set up to ensure that development projects are given fast-lane approval within four months.

Its setting up by the Housing and Local Government Ministry is in line with the call for improvements in the Government’s delivery system.

“There is a need to strengthen the procedural delivery system for development approval,” a statement from the Ministry said.

The fast-lane approval is applicable for projects under the Build Then Sell (BTS) concept as a form of incentive for developers who opt for BTS.

The Government will also extend the fast-lane approval to high impact projects, projects attracting foreign investment and government projects.

Those that are not under any of these categories will require six months for approval.

The OSC committee will replace the local authority’s planning and development division and will be chaired by the chairman of a local authority.

Its members will consist of officers from various technical departments such as the Land Office, Land and Mine Office, and technical departments like the Town and Country Planning Department, Public Works Department, Drainage and Irrigation Department, Tenaga Nasional Berhad, Department of Sewerage Services, State Water Authority, Mineral and Geoscience Department, and Fire and Rescue Department.

The Ministry has prepared a flow chart (see next page) detailing with working processes and a time frame for each technical department to ensure that development proposals are approved within four months.

The improvements of the development proposal procedures and processes are that the concurrent applications of Conversion and Subdivision (124A National Land Code), Surrender and Realienation (204D National Land Code), Planning Permission and Building Plans approvals can be made to the OSC.

The OSC can approve applications for planning permission and building plans as well as land development applications.

Under the new system, all technical agencies are required to cooperate to ensure that approvals are given within the time frame.

The OSC committee will meet on a regular basis and is empowered to make decisions through its meetings.