
Nga calls for apology after MyKiosk cleared of criminal elements
PETALING JAYA : Housing and local government minister Nga Kor Ming has demanded an apology from critics of the MyKiosk initiative, which was cleared of criminal elements by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in its probe into the project's tender process.
He urged those who had slandered his ministry's officers over the project to apologise.
'If you've made baseless claims or spread falsehoods about the MyKiosk initiative, show some integrity – own up and apologise,' he said in the Dewan Rakyat today.
On July 3, MACC chief Azam Baki said the agency's probe was focussed primarily on governance issues over criminal wrongdoing, as no criminal elements had been detected.
In May, Selangor MCA Youth filed a complaint with the anti-graft agency calling for an investigation into the funding and execution of the RM250 million project.
Its chief Tan Jie Sen claimed that despite the investment, only slightly more than half of the kiosks were occupied.
Pahang MCA Youth meanwhile asked why the government was paying RM25,000 to RM34,000 per kiosk, saying the market price was only RM12,800 per unit.
Earlier today, Hasnizan Harun (PN-Hulu Selangor) raised concerns about the number of unoccupied kiosks nationwide.
Nga said that MyKiosk 1.0, launched in 2023, had reached 91% occupancy with 2,926 units filled, while MyKiosk 2.0, launched in 2024, had reached 87% occupancy with 3,518 units in use as of July 2025.
'I admit that the kiosk occupancy hasn't reached 100%, and there have been some administrative shortcomings.
'However, the ministry, myself included, has gone to the ground in several states, including opposition-led ones, to assist traders and strengthen the MyKiosk initiative,' he said.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Malay Mail
a few seconds ago
- Malay Mail
Anwar vows no cover-up in Zara Qairina death investigation
KOTA KINABALU, Aug 3 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has vowed that no individual — regardless of rank or political ties — will be shielded from the investigation into the death of student Zara Qairina Mahathir. Anwar slammed those making baseless allegations, particularly against high-profile figures, without evidence. 'Regardless of whether they are Datuk Seri or Tan Sri, we will investigate if there is proof. We are a country of laws, not slander. 'If someone is guilty, they will be punished. But do not throw baseless accusations just because they are the child of a minister or a relative of a deputy prime minister or deputy chief minister,' he said during the National Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen's Day (HPPNK) 2025 event here. Anwar confirmed that police had completed their investigation and submitted the full report to the Attorney General's Chambers. He said he had contacted Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail and Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail to ensure that the probe was carried out thoroughly and without interference. 'The IGP informed me that 60 individuals have already been called to give their statements,' he added. He emphasised that no one would be spared if found guilty but warned the public not to fabricate accusations against political figures or their families. Anwar also disclosed that the attorney general confirmed receiving the report on Monday. He urged Malaysians to avoid politicising the case. The death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina at a religious boarding school in Papar has garnered national attention, with some — including family members — alleging a lack of transparency in the investigation. The case has triggered a wave of online claims, with some users linking political figures to the incident.


Free Malaysia Today
15 minutes ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Pondok schools to be upgraded with new technology
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim arriving for the opening of the international Quran recital and memorisation contest in Kuala Lumpur this evening. (Bernama pic) KUALA LUMPUR : The government will restore and elevate the status of 'pondok' schools (community religious schools) to ensure they remain a bulwark for the faith, morals, and character of the Muslim community, in line with modern demands, said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The initiative involves cooperation between the finance ministry and Jakim (the Islamic development department) to ensure that religious schools and pondok institutions that are in poor condition can be developed with new facilities and technology. 'We want to add new technology, including information technology, digitalisation, and artificial intelligence, so that this bulwark remains the strongest one to defend the faith, morals, and character of the Ummah,' he said at the opening of the international Quran recital and memorisation competition. Anwar also announced that on Aug 8, he would launch a programme to expand the dissemination of the Quran through official translations into 30 languages. 'In all my travels around the world – to Peru, Brazil, France, Cambodia, and dozens of other countries in recent years – every time I visit, I bring the Quran along with a translation in that country's language, and we distribute it officially. This, I believe, is a good approach,' he said.


Free Malaysia Today
15 minutes ago
- Free Malaysia Today
US tariff on Malaysia reduced to 19%
US president Donald Trump previously described the 25% tariff rate as 'far less' than what was needed to eliminate the country's trade deficit with Malaysia. (AP pic) PETALING JAYA : The US government has reduced the reciprocal tariff imposed on Malaysia to 19%. The US previously imposed a 25% tariff on Malaysia effective Aug 1, a rate which president Donald Trump described as 'far less' than what was needed to eliminate the country's trade deficit with Malaysia. The rate was also higher than the 24% initially imposed on certain Malaysian exports to the US and placed on a 90-day pause ending yesterday. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had hinted at a new rate when tabling the 13th Malaysia Plan yesterday. Earlier today, AFP reported that Trump's administration had imposed higher tariffs on dozens of countries in his latest bid to reshape global trade in favour of US businesses. The executive order signed by Trump set out tariffs on imports ranging as high as 41% on Syria and 30% on South Africa. Canadian imports meanwhile will face a tariff of 35%, an increase from the previous 25%. Last week, investment, trade and industry minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz said Malaysia was aiming for the lowest possible tariff rate on its exports to the US, in dismissing a Bloomberg report quoting government sources as saying that Malaysia was targeting 20%. Zafrul also said details of the negotiations would be revealed once talks are completed, when asked if Malaysia would be offering specific concessions to the US.