n 1989, Electronic Data Interchange (M) Sdn Bhd (now known as Dagang Net Technologies Sdn Bhd, DNT) was given a 15-year concession by the Government of Malaysia, through MITI, to establish a national clearing centre for electronic data interchange and the exclusive connection to Kastam DiRaja Malaysia (KDRM), as well as all of KDRM’s agents, which include SIRIM. Currently, there are 26 agencies, also known as OGA's (Other Government Agencies) that deal with KDRM on import and export matters. Import permit activity was introduced to SIRIM in April 1999 when KDRM appoints SIRIM as one of the OGA’s for the issuance of import permits. The Communication Equipment Testing Section (CETS) was set up in the Testing Services Department of SIRIM on 1st April 1999.
Processing of Import Permit in SIRIM
One of the activities carried out by CETS is the processing and approval of import permits for all communication equipment such as telephones, modems, hand-phones, facsimiles, walkie-talkies, etc. Twelve officers, comprising of General Manager, Managers and Executives have been appointed by KDRM for the issuance of permits for the importation of communication products, as stipulated under Section 12, 13, 24 and 25, Second Schedule, Custom Act (Prohibition of Import) 1998. These officers are strategically located throughout the country, at various SIRIM Branches in Permatang Pauh, Shah Alam, Johor Bahru, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu.
SIRIM PIAComX
The previous practice of paper-based permit processing has been transformed and replaced by electronic-based processing by the introduction of SIRIM E-Permit system within the context of community services offering under SIRIM PIAComX. PIAComX stands for Permit Issuing Agency of Commerce Exchange.
SIRIM PIAComX is a web-based community services developed for the benefit of the telecommunications industry in Malaysia. The main utility of SIRIM PIAComX is to enable the telecommunication equipment importers to submit import permit applications to SIRIM electronically for approval processing. The fully integrated portfolios of electronic commerce services offered under SIRIM PIAComX are:
· E-Permit
· E-Supply Chain
· E-Bulletin
· E-Mail
· Web Hosting
Implementation of SIRIM PIAComX
The driving force behind SIRIM PIAComX is KDRM. Under Phase 1 of their program, KDRM declaration form (import/export permit) are electronically submitted to Sistem Maklumat Kastam (SMK) using the UN-EDIFACT SANCRT message.
The Pilot Project for SIRIM PIAComX started in October 2000, with CMNet Dotcom and 6 importers. The reliability and efficiency of the system were tested. Various problems were identified and jointly rectified.
In December 2000, the trial system went 'live' with actual application sent through the system and processed by CETS within 24 hours. Since then, awareness seminars and live presentations have been regularly carried out by CETS and CMNet Dotcom. At least 7 seminars had been carried out with a total of 96 companies attended.
On 5th February 2001, SIRIM signed a partnership agreement with CMnet Dotcom, and SIRIM PIAComX was officially launched. CMnet Dotcom has been appointed by DNT to fullfill the concession obligation on DNT behalf. There was also Press coverage by the media on 3rd and 4th April 2001. The process flow for E-Permit is as per diagram 1.
SIRIM PIAComX is a centrally coordinated and managed one-web centre catering to SIRIM E-permit customers in their interaction with SIRIM. Applicants have first to be registered with CMNet Dotcom whereby they will be given a password to access into PIAComX. They then fill up the application form (Kastam form, JK69) that appears on their screen and send it electronically - refer to (a). The application will reside in PIAComX. SIRIM, through CETS will download the application in PIAComX at least twice a day - refer to (b). The application will be verified electronically against the database at CETS. Approved applications will be immediately printed at CETS and signed by the authorised officer. Non-approved applications will have the error codes generated - refer to (c). Whichever the case, the applicant will be notified of the status - refer to (d). The applicant may then either come to SIRIM to collect the approved permit, or resubmit their application after being notified of their error. Upon collecting the approved permit from SIRIM, the applicant may then proceed to clear their equipment from KDRM.
In Phase 2, the OGA's will forward the application electronically through PIAComX, to KDRM.
Upon clearance, KDRM will send their responses back to the respective OGA's and the applicant. Thus the applicant no longer need to come to SIRIM to collect their approved permit. They may proceed direct to the point of import to clear their goods. The customers to PIAComX will also benefit from other value-added services such as e-mail, e-bulletin, web hosting and e-supply chain, at no extra cost.
Benefits of SIRIM PIAComX
The benefits of SIRIM PIAComX as compared to conventional manual system are:
Diagram 1. E-Permit process flow |
Permit issuing
Agency Commerce
Exchange
(PiaComX) |
a) Increase of productivity. The turn around processing time has been reduced from 4 working days to within 24 hours. It takes less staff and less time to execute the permit approval process.
b) Systematic storage of records and statistics
c) Process consistency
d) Transparency in the approval process
e) SIRIM and its importers can have access to permit status and other queries at anytime and from anywhere. Similarly, applications can be made at anytime and from anywhere where there is access to Internet.
Conclusion
SIRIM is the first permit issuing agency in Malaysia that has adopted ICT as the tool that enables process re-engineering and transformation on the ways how permit application should be sent, processed, approved, and how data should be transmitted to Sistem Maklumat Kastam of KDRM. The adoption of ICT to implement SIRIM PIAComX has brought new meaning to the concept of industry community building in Malaysia.
SIRIM QAS Sdn Bhd
