The Najib Razak-era UTC was established to bring a host of federal government agencies under one roof for the convenience of the people and is open from 8.30am to 10pm.
The new government recently announced new operating hours of 8am till 7pm beginning Jan 1, due to several factors, including overtime and utility costs, as well as smaller crowds after 7pm.
At UTC Kuala Lumpur, bank clerk Faizun Bahadzaman said the shortening of operating hours will make it difficult for him to attend to matters involving government agencies, such as renewing his passport.
“Changing the operating hours isn’t right. I hope UTC will continue to operate until 10pm,” he said, adding he often came to UTC for matters related to the Road Transport Department (JPJ).
“After this, it will be difficult because UTC’s operating hours will end just around the time my work does,” he told FMT, adding many people came to UTC at night.
He said even before 8pm, there was often a long line of people at the Immigration Department counters.
FMT’s checks at the UTC for three hours until 9pm found many people were there for matters related to the National Registration Department (NRD), JPJ and Immigration Department.
Many were seen waiting for the counters to reopen after the dinner break between 7pm and 8pm.
Another customer, Zulkarnain Abdul Rahman, said the current operating hours made it convenient for people to come after work but agreed that the hours could be shortened just a little.
“It is difficult to come here during working hours, I have all sorts of matters to attend to like making a new passport and also at the NRD. If the existing operating hours can be maintained it would make it easier for everyone.”
A self-employed businessman, who only wanted to be known as Ahmad, said he had no time to go to government offices in the morning and will usually come to the UTC after finishing his work at 7pm.
“In my case, it might not be so bad because I am self-employed, but those who work in the public or private sectors may face difficulties if the working hours are shortened,” he said, adding he was here to change the ownership of his vehicle and renew his road tax.
Hakim Harun, a factory operator, said the shortening of UTC’s operating hours will make it less effective and won’t meet the objective of it being set up.
He said he finished work at 6pm and by that time, government offices were closed. His only option is UTC.
Hakim, who was there to repay his National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loan and renew his road tax, said he will now be forced to apply for leave or wait till the end of the week to attend to such matters.
Meanwhile, a photostat shop owner at the UTC, who only wanted to be known as Halim, said opening UTC during office hours was sufficient if people had better discipline and managed time better.
“They wait till the last minute to get things done. There’s no discipline.”
On social media, many have lamented the government’s decision to shorten UTC’s operating hours.