DBKL kick-starts plan to go paperless

(From left) DBKL Planning Department director Nurazizi Mokhtar, Nor Hisham, executive director (project management) Datuk Mohd Najib Mohd, executive director (socio-economic development) Datuk Ibrahim Yusof and executive director (management) Datuk Mustafa Mohd Nor launching the KLIS system.

TO cut down on costs, save time and do its part to preserve the environment, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is moving towards a paperless office.

For a start, DBKL has introduced the Kuala Lumpur Integrated Submission System (KLIS), which is an online submission platform for applications for development projects.

“This system involves submitting documents relating to planning approval, building approval and engineering approval as well as application to demolish and renovations for small scale residential homes in Kuala Lumpur online,’’ said mayor Datuk Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahlan.

“For now, it only involves bungalow, terrace and link houses; but we are looking at simplifying and streamlining everything and that includes incorporating digital signatures too,’’ he said.

The system has been online since Jan 15.

The mayor said the move would cut down wait time, manpower and archiving documents.

“We are also hoping to cut down on bureaucracy and any form of abuse of power as well stop any form of political interference in the process,’’ he added.

Nor Hisham was speaking to reporters after launching the KLIS and the Kuala Lumpur Low Carbon Society Blueprint 2030 plan at DBKL headquarters yesterday.

“We had this (online submission) before; the procedure is the same but the method of application and process has been upgraded,’’ he said.

Previously, when an application is submitted to the engineer or architect level, the printouts and plans have to be in hard copy form, and each time an application is submitted, residents have to submit at least three sets each of all the relevant plans.

“For instance, a resident who is planning to build, renovate or even demolish his or her house will have to submit hard copies (three sets) of planning approval, building approval and engineering approval to DBKL.

“But now with the new upgraded system, documents can be submitted in the digital PDF format with a digital signature.

“There is no longer a need to step inside DBKL offices anymore and this can even be done in any part of the world,’’ Nor Hisham said, adding that the waiting period will be reduced tremendously.

“We are moving towards a digital era and it’s time for DBKL to catch up as we are moving towards becoming a smart city,’’ he said, adding that he wants to incorporate this system even for the application of bazaar lots for festivals.

Starting this year, applications for Ramadan bazaar lots will be carried out online.

“Before this, residents had to queue up in the heat, there were arguments and some could even have fainted in the process to get lots in the city,’’ the mayor said.

“Now, none of that. All you have to do is register and pay the deposit online and if you are qualified, you can pick the location and undergo the balloting process; no more middleman and no more messy situations,’’ he said

For the Kuala Lumpur Low Carbon Society Blueprint 2030

plan, the mayor said it was part of the city’s policy to move towards low carbon society by drawing up programmes towards a greener capital.

Four committees have been created – economy, infrastructure, environment and management – to ensure that the plans are set in motion.

“The programmes include planting more trees, creating more open and green spaces, reducing cars in the city, creating more rainwater harvesting stations and using energy saving lights,’’ he said.