Hi I really need some advice here from any sifu out there...

I have bought a piece of leasehold land(considered bungalow lot around 4000 sq feet) with a old run down house(in chinese kampung area) under MPSJ. I have engaged a consultant draftsman(whose name is in the recommended list given by MPSJ) to do the plans according to law. I will tear the old house down and rebuild a new double storey house on the land. The plans has been drawn up and I have signed on multiple very large plans and handed back to my consultant. He said will maybe take 5-6 months for approval as there are many departments to get approval from.
I have paid him an initial 3.5k when he asked for it but haven't given me any receipt. So far he still haven't bill me any further.

But now it has been like 9 months and he is telling me that there are still many departments to go through. And he is not giving me a timeline when everything can be completed.

I would like to know is this normal to take so long for approving just a simple double house plans?
Is there anyone of authority in the Government planning department that I can seek to clarify this matter?