Why is Malaysia not competitive? This is a basic question. But I am sure you may have different answers or reasons.
Recently, I tried to apply for a permit to organize a concert in Penang. If you think that you have had enough with the bureaucracy at the federal level, try come to Penang and you might be frustrated to death. Tourism promotion needs events to attract and entertain visitors.
However, the state bureaucracy starting from the local authority right up to the district office and the police will put any organizers through the grind.
An organizer has to submit 13 copies of application form. The organizer has to go to 6 departments to hand over the copies and get a stamp of approval from these departments from fire department, police, MPPP, district office, state office of ministry of information, communications and culture and then back to the MPPP licensing department again.
This is a mirror of what Malaysia is today. Often there are no rules, no procedures and no KPIs. Even an application is submitted 4 weeks before an event, it may still be too late.
Government officers should help to facilitate the people and not using the bureaucracy to frustrate them.
There should be a one-stop centre for events approval at both the state and federal levels. Unfortunately, the state and federal governments are too preoccupied with political competition that they neglect their duty to enhance the efficiency of their bureaucracy.
Wonder where our vibrancy has gone too? This is just a simple example.
Let me hear from you if you have a story to share.
9 comments:
I once had a Singaporean client who had overpaid service tax to the Customs. This happened not too long ago, but at that point, this client then engaged me to assist with with refund of the excess payment. When we first submitted our request to Customs, it was close to Hari Raya for that particular year; needles to say, I had to advise my client that due to the Raya & various other holiday mood, their appeal could take some time.
Well, guess how long it actually took for the refund to come thru?
One year. Just to cross check with the internal documents, our Customs took one year.
Any wonder why foreigners continue to shun us?
Six bribes to pay. Rather like the toll roads in the country. And we all know who are in control of them.
Hmmm, think you may have left out one department - Islamic Affairs department where dress-code is a condition, no?
This country isn't moving ahead with the times, how to stay competitive? Too much bureaucracy is killing interest, turning investors away and we are finished while our neighbours brisk past us, what else!
In 1994, both my wife and I worked in USA (we held valid visa that permitted working, while I was doing post-graduate study). One week before we left, we were reminded by friends to check with the local US Income Tax department to ensure we would not have problem at the Immigration. We quickly went to the local Income Tax office. The lady checked and within 1 hr, advised us we have credit. We promptly got the letter as well as the cheque. That was near 20 years ago!!
Its not just government agencies unfortunately, it is big (and complacent) companies such as Astro too.
I moved to a new apartment recently. It took Astro 2 and half weeks to send their installer to hook up my Astro. And mind you, this was after 4 "reminder" calls on my part, making me feel as tho i was begging for an Astro account. No apologies, no proper explanations except for "oh sir, we will inform our agent, you have to wait".
To make things worse, 1 week after they hooked up my Astro, my account was suspended because Astro assigned a wrong installer to my apartment. This took another 6 days to "rectify". Again, the "customer care" hotline could only tell me "oh sir, we cannot do anything fo you, you have to wait".
But... one thing was super efficient, I got my "BILL" 2 days after hooking up with Astro the first time. I submitted a complaint that i was not paying for the 6 days my Astro was suspended for something that was not my fault... until now, no reply. Typical.
Malaysia Boleh.
I moved from Glugor to Island Glades on 31 Oct 2009.
I requested TM to transfer my telephone line on 30 October 2009. It's been almost 1 1/2 months now, TM still cannot make the transfer.
In the meantime, the new tenant in my old place discovered that the phone line is still working and continued to use my line and the bill has come up to RM250. Who will pay ?
When I asked TM to temporarily suspend the line, they said once they suspend, I have to pay for re-connection in my new place.
Head they win, tail you lose. Malaysia Boleh !
My INcome Tax(self assessment for year 2008) has got a credit and suppose to get refund.But until now I still not receive anything or any letter whether I get the refund or not.This is bloody sickening!
Folks,
Do not let up. Complain. Write to Malaysiakini.com, write to editors or come to my blog. I will highlight your case.
I don't let up too. I have told these officers that they should serve the people. Afterall, their salary is paid by us.
I had applied for permits for 3 shows in the last 8 months and I must say that I have nothinmg but compliments for all the departments I had to go get stamps of approval.The lady at MPPP Puan Suhaila was extremely and the only agency that I couldnt get approval on the spot was understandably police as they have 5 departments to get feedback from.
I understand DBKL has a one stop centre and on friday i was invited to attend a meeting with YB Wong on this issue and must again compliment the authorities for attending this meeting and discussing ways to assist NGO's and organisations in getting permits.
I have also compliments for KWSP and Immigration officers that handled my request in the last 3 months really fast and efficiently.
I have been involved in Arts and entertainment for over 20 years and feel that PENANG is THE PLACE!!!
joe sidek
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