Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim directs local authorities to streamline approvals, aiming to cut delays and costs for housing and factory projects.
DENGKIL: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wants all approval processes and bureaucratic procedures at the local authority (PBT) level to be expedited and streamlined to enhance Malaysia’s global competitiveness.
To this end, he has directed the Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT), together with Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, to coordinate and strengthen oversight of local authorities to ensure all processes are carried out more efficiently and effectively.
According to Anwar, differences in procedures between municipal councils and city councils have resulted in lengthy approval processes for projects such as housing and factory construction, driving up costs for applicants.
“These (regulations and procedures) sometimes differ and do not ensure efficiency or speed in implementation. For example, if someone applies for approval to build a house or factory and has to wait for months, it is exhausting and costs can increase,” he told reporters after performing Friday prayers at Masjid Jameatus Solehah in Pekan Dengkil here today.
He said several new measures would be introduced to speed up approval processes and administrative procedures at the PBT level, in line with the federal government’s objectives.
The Prime Minister said Malaysia’s rise to 15th place in the World Competitiveness Ranking (WCR) 2026 is proof of the country’s strengthening economic performance.
He said the achievement was the result of the collective efforts of the Cabinet, the public service and the private sector in working together to advance the nation.
“This means our standing relative to the world’s economies has improved. It also means the government, departments, the people, private sector, farmers and fishermen must continue to step up our efforts. We must not become complacent. Everyone should think about ways and means to make further improvements,” he said.
According to the WCR report released by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), Malaysia climbed eight places to 15th among 70 global economies, with an overall score of 81.91 points, returning the country to the top 20 most competitive economies in the world.
Among Asia-Pacific economies, Malaysia ranked fifth behind Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and China, while outperforming Australia, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam and Japan.
