Concurrent Processing of Permits

It was discovered that an approval obtained does not mean that applicant can start work immediately even observing fully the condition of approval. This was disclosed during a discussion with various technical departments last few days. For example, in order for a contractor to exavacute the soil under earth work permit issued by the Engineering Department, he has to apply hoarding permit and signboard permit from the Building Department and if a construction waste bin is required to be placed on public area, a permit for placing the bin is required from the same department and followed by requesting contractor service for construction waste disposal. The requirements do not end here yet. To transport out the soil or sand, he need to obtain permit of using road from Engineering Department and permit from Land Office for cutting the soil. Wait, not finished yet. If a project is of big scale and on site workers are required, he will have to obtain the permit of building workers shelter there. If the project proponent so desire to advertise his project by placing signboard on the hoarding, then he has to apply permission from the Planning Department and finally license issued by the Licensing Division. The whole process of doing earth work has to go through 5 departments and 4-8 permits in which time and cost become a concern. I presume one of the major complaint by applicant is having gone through many departments and procedures but for only carrying out a single work. For them, it is bureaucratic. Perhaps it is time to re synergise looking into internal processing so that the need for multiple inter face with various departments can be reduced. One of the option is communicating with applicants of the procedures involved and offer them a choice of submitting application at the same time, same counter and ensure them that all permits applied for will be given at the same time and same place. I presume a model starting with simple application can be piloted first. This will be of great help to development in Petaling Jaya, even for the house owners undergoing rebuilding of their house.