Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) head Thomas Lembong has said the online single submission (OSS) system, aimed at simplifying licensing for investment, requires a transition period.

He stressed that the system was needed to boost investment, but it could not be immediately implemented following the issuance of Government Regulation No. 24/ 2018, which was signed by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on June 21.

“The vision, mission and intention of the OSS system are very good. But I am particularly concerned about the implementation. As far as I know, the program has a wide scope of work, so there should be a transition period,” Thomas said in Jakarta on Thursday as reported by kompas.com.

Previously, OSS preparatory team leader Mufasik M. Noor said the system started operations on Monday, although it was still waiting for an official launch by President Jokowi.

Initially, the system was to be implemented by the BPKM, but Coordinating Economic Minister Darmin Nasution said that temporarily, the OSS would be implemented by his office because the BKPM was not ready to do so.

Thomas said he was surprised to learn the system was in operation as many licenses were still being issued by ministries, government institutions and regional administrations. Thomas said that according to PP No. 24/ 2018, such a job should have been implemented through the OSS system.  

“Frankly, we are monitoring [through the BKPM’s online system] Many licenses are not being issued through the OSS,” he added (bbn)