Sarawak plans RM1.9 mln review of business licensing, approvals

SARAWAK plans to review business licensing and approval procedures under a RM1.9 million blueprint in the 2027 Budget.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the Ease of Doing Business Reform Blueprint for Sarawak would be jointly led by the State Transformation and Innovation Unit (STIU) and the Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment Sarawak (MinTRED).

He said the blueprint would assess regulatory requirements, licensing and approval processes, and government procedures to identify institutional and operational bottlenecks.

“It would also benchmark Sarawak against leading practices and develop evidence-based reforms to simplify, streamline and digitalise processes, re-engineer procedures and standardise service delivery,” he said when tabling the Supply (2027) Bill, 2026 on Monday (Oct 12).

He said the proposed reforms were intended to reduce costs and strengthen transparency in business facilitation as Sarawak sought to improve its competitiveness as an investment destination.

“These measures are designed to build investors’ confidence, accelerate investment implementation, and attract quality domestic and international investment,” he said.

Alongside the regulatory review, he said the state government would continue advancing the Sarawak Digital Residency Programme to attract international digital professionals.

He said the first phase, DE Rantau Sarawak, had been implemented in 2025, receiving 115 applications, with 90 approvals.

He described the response as evidence of Sarawak’s attractiveness to globally mobile digital professionals.

“The second phase, involving the Foreign Digital Worker Pass, is scheduled to commence in 2027, expanding the programme beyond digital nomads to attract international digital professionals.

“Meanwhile, the third phase, planned for after 2027, would introduce the Foreign Digital Entrepreneur Pass and Digital Expatriate Pass, targeting technology entrepreneurs, founders and expatriates.”

Abang Johari said the business reform blueprint and digital residency programme are intended to support a more efficient, transparent and innovation-driven business environment.