Why is it so hard to get a hold of lye...

I don't know about other places, but how hard can it be to get hold of lye (sodium hydroxide) here in KL?????? Today I was told that I need to have license or permit to buy some... even for household use... some suppliers even said that I need to be a registered business before I can buy them... Then how am I suppose to start to make my soap??????

Perhaps I should make the lye myself.... nah.. just wishful thinking... I rather register a business than go through the hassle of producing lye myself...

Is there any soapmaker in KL who wants to share with me some info regarding where can I purchase sodium hydrixide for making soap at home???