SAMENTA Calls For Compliance Ombudsman To Address Business Delays

KUALA LUMPUR, March 11 (Bernama) -- The Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Malaysia (SAMENTA) has urged the government to establish a Compliance Ombudsman, as a dedicated mechanism to address complaints from businesses facing administrative delays or inefficiencies, further strengthening the impact of the Government Service Efficiency Commitment Bill 2025.

SAMENTA president Datuk William Ng also called for the establishment of a one-stop digital platform for all business-related approvals, to ensure consistency and eliminate unnecessary delays.

“There should also be a permanent business-government task force to regularly monitor and review regulatory efficiency.

“More importantly, service ratings should be extended to local authorities, to ensure that local councils are held to the same efficiency standards,” he said in a statement, today. 

Ng also said that the passing of the Government Service Efficiency Commitment Bill 2025 marks a significant milestone in reducing bureaucracy, improving government service delivery, and enhancing the ease of doing business in Malaysia.

He said that, by mandating the reduction of regulatory burdens, introducing a service performance rating system, and promoting greater public sector transparency, this reform is both timely and crucial for the growth of Malaysian SMEs.

“SMEs are the backbone of Malaysia’s economy, contributing nearly 40 per cent of GDP, and employing over seven million Malaysians. However, small businesses often struggle with inefficiencies in government processes, slow approvals, and inconsistent regulations. This Bill is a significant step forward in cutting red tape and enhancing service quality,” he said.

The Government Service Efficiency Commitment Bill 2025, aimed at improving government service quality, efficiency, and effectiveness, was passed in the Dewan Rakyat on March 6. 

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, when tabling the bill for its second reading, said that it sought to resolve bureaucratic issues, and eliminate unnecessary or outdated regulations, guidelines, and administrative directives, to enhance government governance efficiency.

-- BERNAMA