MCA Youth lodges complaint with MACC over MyKiosk project
PUTRAJAYA : Selangor MCA Youth has filed a complaint with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) calling for an investigation into the RM250 million MyKiosk project under the housing and local government ministry.
Its chief Tan Jie Sen claimed that despite the significant investment, only slightly more than half of the kiosks were being occupied.
'Many local councils have kiosks that are not being used effectively. Shah Alam and Petaling Jaya have over 200 kiosks, but only around 20 are in use. In Puchong Perdana, only four out of 20 kiosks are currently operational.
'We've also received complaints (from traders) that these kiosks have leaky roofs and no electricity, and some are located in non-strategic areas,' he told reporters outside the MACC headquarters here.
He asked whether the kiosks, launched under the project's first phase, MyKiosk 1.0, would be properly maintained or upgraded.
He also urged the ministry to ensure transparency regarding the MyKiosk project by disclosing all associated costs and agencies, particularly details surrounding the open tender process for acquiring the kiosks.
The two representatives who entered the anti-graft agency's headquarters to file the complaint at 11am today were Beliawanis MCA chief Ivone Low and Pahang MCA Youth chief Wong Siew Mun.
Pahang MCA Youth was previously reported to have expressed readiness to walk into the MACC office alongside DAP members to assist in the investigation into the MyKiosk project.
It had asked why the government was paying RM25,000 to RM34,000 per kiosk when the market price was only RM12,800 per unit.
Housing and local government minister Nga Kor Ming yesterday responded by saying that the RM25,000 figure was misleading as it included the cost of solar panels, fans, stoves, transportation, installation, and site set-up.
Wong, however, said that market research by MCA Youth showed that the cost of the equipment did not justify such a high total, and called for an explanation of the discrepancy.
She also criticised Nga's threat of legal action over alleged misinformation about the MyKiosk project, saying freedom of expression was a constitutional right.
Nga yesterday said that the local government department had been instructed to track down a TikToker who allegedly spread false information and defamatory videos about the MyKiosk project on social media.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
6 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
MCMC to record Muhyiddin's statement over RON95 subsidy claim
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission said the probe did not include claims or allegations levelled against former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission says it has contacted former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin to record his statement in its probe into a claim on the RON95 subsidy. In a statement MCMC said that Muhyiddin would be questioned as a witness. 'The focus of the probe is to confirm the context of the content that was uploaded. 'The probe does not include any claims or allegations levelled against him.' MCMC also said it would be contacting the relevant individuals to complete its probe. Yesterday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim ordered MCMC to look into his claim that Muhyiddin had defended the distribution of government subsidies to foreigners. In a statement, the Prime Minister's Office said it acknowledged the Perikatan Nasional chairman's denial of ever making such a statement involving targeted RON95 petrol subsidy. On Tuesday, Sinar Harian quoted Anwar as saying that Muhyiddin, who is also the Bersatu president, had questioned the government for burdening foreigners when they have also made significant contributions to the country. Anwar said the government had decided on targeted subsidies for electricity and RON95 petrol so that it could continue helping Malaysians while reducing the nation's fiscal deficit. Muhyiddin later denied having made such a statement and urged Anwar to furnish proof of his claim. The former prime minister said Anwar's claim was slanderous and that his stand from the beginning was that government subsidies should be for Malaysians, not foreigners.
Free Malaysia Today
6 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
New homes for Elphil estate workers still on hold over cost issues
Sime Darby Plantation Bhd, now known as SD Guthrie Bhd, had agreed to hand over 4ha of land to Putrajaya for the construction of the homes. PETALING JAYA : The construction of new homes for workers at Elphil estate in Sungai Siput, Perak, under a special scheme is still on hold because of cost issues. Human resources minister Steven Sim said Sime Darby Plantation Bhd, now known as SD Guthrie Bhd, had agreed to hand over 4ha of land to Putrajaya for the construction of the homes. The company had agreed to this in February 2020, based on past reports. Sim said his ministry then held a series of discussions with the housing and local government ministry and Syarikat Perumahan Negara Bhd (SPNB) regarding the homes. 'The housing ministry and SPNB said there were costs that needed to be borne, and that there were constraints in terms of funding to carry out the development. 'Therefore, the proposed development through the housing ministry and SPNB could not proceed,' he said in a written parliamentary reply. Sim said the human resources ministry also held talks with SD Guthrie and the Perak Housing and Property Board (LPHP) on the proposal to build the homes for the estate workers. 'LPHP agreed in principle with the proposal. However, costs involving the transfer of land ownership, division of boundaries, and change in land use terms are still being studied by the ministry,' he said. He was responding to S Kesavan (PH-Sungai Siput), who asked for an update on the proposed home financing scheme for the Elphil estate workers. In May 2022, former human resources minister M Kulasegaran questioned if the government had abandoned plans to build these houses. He pointed out that SD Guthrie had agreed to allocate the land for the construction of about 100 units of medium-cost homes for the estate workers to purchase and own. Under the special scheme, he said, Bank Simpanan Nasional would offer the estate workers a 35-year loan with a 2% interest. The houses were supposed to cost less than RM150,000.
Free Malaysia Today
6 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Migrant worker protection is about human rights, not just ILO rules, says Sim
Human resources minister Steven Sim said the government is still committed to reducing reliance on migrant workers as outlined in the 13th Malaysia Plan, from the current 15% to 10% by 2030. (Bernama pic) KUALA LUMPUR : The human resources ministry does not view migrant worker protection as a matter of mere compliance with International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions, but as one of human rights, says its minister. Steven Sim said the government's commitment to protecting migrant workers' rights is rooted in humanity. 'Beyond altruism, a system that exploits migrant workers will ultimately harm local communities as well. 'Just because Singapore isn't following (ILO conventions), doesn't mean we shouldn't. 'We must ensure all workers in this country are fairly treated,' he said at an event organised by the Institute of Strategic and International Studies Malaysia. Earlier this week, Malaysiakini reported former finance minister and DAP adviser Lim Guan Eng as saying in the Dewan Rakyat that there was 'no need to mandate the RM1,700 minimum wage and 2% EPF contributions for migrant workers' already in the workforce. Lim had pointed to Singapore's policy of not requiring Central Provident Fund contributions for migrant workers since 2003, without repercussions from the ILO. In response, PSM's deputy chairman S Arutchelvan slammed Lim's remarks yesterday as a 'blatant endorsement of modern-day exploitation'. Earlier today, former MP and Suaram director Kua Kia Soong also questioned whether DAP's stance on social justice and equality had changed. He said the party, which has long styled itself as 'the conscience of Malaysian politics', risked appearing like a 'hollow vessel' when it comes to defending labour rights. Meanwhile, Sim said the government is still committed to reducing reliance on migrant workers as outlined in the 13th Malaysia Plan, from the current 15% to 10% by 2030. 'We are now in the final stage of implementing a multi-tiered levy mechanism (MTLM) where employers pay more if they hire more foreign workers,' he said. According to the 13MP, the additional levy collections from the MTLM will be channelled into a newly established trust fund to promote automation and mechanisation.
