ACCCIM: OSC for development planning approval process not in practise at state and local authorities level

KUALA LUMPUR: The Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) said today that the One Stop Centre (OSC) meant to streamline the entire process from planning, building and issuance of Certificate of Completion and Compliance, in practise at state and local authorities level, includes up to 12 clearance procedures.

These procedures need to be cleared before an application can even be electronically submitted to the OSC.  

"The current diversity of planning approval processes between states and local authorities have resulted in significant uncertainties and unnecessary long delays. It has caused persistent loss of productivity for the business sector and economic losses for the nation over the years," ACCCIM said in a statement.

The association was commenting on the Ministry of Local Government Development's statement last week to simplify and shorten the approval period for development plans, particularly on standardising the planning permission approval process.

The OSC's original objective was to monitor and control the agreed time schedule, track and trace the progress of the application at all departments and agencies involved in the approval process. 

According to ACCCIM, the standard operating procedure of the OSC system to automatically approve a development plan should each authority and agency involved not respond within 14 days after the procedure has been initiated, has never been practised and the outcome is left without any stipulated timeframe to respond and is presently open-ended. 

ACCCIM added that under the current OSC concept, the respective Professional Submitting Person (PSP) is responsible for certifying completion works under their respective scope. The approving authorities and agencies are notified and given 14 days to inspect the work if it is considered necessary. Otherwise, the PSP shall duly issue the Certificate of Completion and Compliance.  

"For various reasons and caution, this agreed arrangement has not been practised, resulting in long delays in obtaining the inspections and necessary clearances of up to 18 departments and agencies. Many of these inspections are required to be carried out in sequence. This unnecessary delay is certainly not the objective nor the spirit of the OSC system," ACCCIM said.

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