
'Piratisation' of street parking leaves MBPJ, S'gor govt in a bind
Last month, the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) was caught in a tussle of sorts, although it was not of their own making. The Selangor government is trying to force a privatisation (which I had often described as 'piratisation') deal and wants the council to accept.
The council collects about RM18 million annually from street...

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Sinar Daily
9 hours ago
- Sinar Daily
Nga demands apology from MyKiosk 'White Elephants' critics
KUALA LUMPUR - Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming has called on those who labelled the MyKiosk initiative is a 'white elephant' project to apologise. He said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigation, which found no elements of corruption or abuse of power in the programme's implementation, clearly demonstrated that the Housing and Local Government Ministry's (KPKT) efforts to carry out government policies should not be subjected to unfounded accusations. "KPKT took the initiative to invite MACC to conduct an investigation. It was not MACC that approached us. We went to MACC and submitted all the documents for review. MACC has since issued a statement confirming that there was no abuse of power, no criminal element, and no corruption involved,' he said. "I demand, on behalf of KPKT staff who work tirelessly to serve the people, that those who have made baseless claims and slander come forward and apologise. The sacrifices of these civil servants must be acknowledged and not tarnished by unfounded allegations,' he said during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today. He was responding to a question from Onn Abu Bakar (PH-Batu Pahat), who had asked for the latest statistics on the implementation of the MyKiosk 2.0 programme and the status of the Batu Pahat Municipal Council Stadium upgrade project, including its scope of work, costs involved, and expected completion date Nga said the implementation of MyKiosk has shown encouraging results, with MyKiosk 1.0 achieving a 91.75 per cent occupancy rate, while MyKiosk 2.0 has reached 86.78 per cent. This success has positively transformed the lives of 7,243 hawkers and petty traders across the country. He also highlighted success stories of MyKiosk traders, such as a hawker selling 'ayam gunting' at the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC) Square who now earns up to RM30,000 a month, as well as food and soymilk traders who have doubled their income to RM18,000 a month after joining the programme. "This is a testament to the success of reforms aimed at helping hawkers. It proves that MyKiosk not only provides physical facilities but also serves as a catalyst for economic growth by creating sustainable business opportunities,' he said. However, Nga acknowledged that there were some shortcomings in the programme's earlier implementation. To address this, his ministry has introduced a 'traffic light' evaluation system to monitor the performance of local authorities (PBTs). Through this system, any PBT receiving a green rating will be categorised as having excellent performance and will receive increased allocations, while those with a yellow rating will have their allocations reviewed. "If the light is red, the allocation will be cancelled, and the head of the PBT will be summoned by the Local Government Department to receive a reprimand and provide an explanation for failing to implement government policies. "We will continue to monitor to ensure that the well-being of the people, the welfare of hawkers, consumer comfort, and environmental sustainability are all prioritised under the MADANI Economy framework," he said. Meanwhile, regarding the Batu Pahat Municipal Council Stadium upgrade project, Nga said the project is expected to commence early next year and be completed by the end of the same year. He said the RM3.5 million project is currently in the process of appointing a consultant. "The scope of work includes upgrading the field drainage system, resurfacing the field, and constructing a new running track,' he said. - BERNAMA


The Sun
10 hours ago
- The Sun
Nga demands apology over MyKiosk ‘white elephant' claims
KUALA LUMPUR: Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming has demanded an apology from critics who labelled the MyKiosk initiative a 'white elephant' project. His statement follows the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) confirmation that no corruption or abuse of power occurred in the programme's implementation. Nga stressed that the ministry proactively invited MACC to investigate, submitting all relevant documents. 'MACC has since issued a statement confirming that there was no abuse of power, no criminal element, and no corruption involved,' he said during a Dewan Rakyat session. He called on critics to retract their accusations and acknowledge the hard work of civil servants. The MyKiosk initiative has recorded strong occupancy rates, with MyKiosk 1.0 at 91.75% and MyKiosk 2.0 at 86.78%. The programme has benefited 7,243 traders nationwide, with some reporting significant income growth. A hawker at Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC) Square now earns up to RM30,000 monthly, while food and soymilk vendors doubled their income to RM18,000. To improve accountability, the ministry introduced a 'traffic light' system to evaluate local authorities (PBTs). Green-rated PBTs receive increased allocations, while yellow-rated ones face reviews. Red-rated PBTs risk cancelled funding and reprimands. Separately, the RM3.5 million Batu Pahat Municipal Council Stadium upgrade is set to begin early next year, focusing on drainage, field resurfacing, and a new running track. - Bernama


Malay Mail
11 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Pakatan MPs slam Selangor parking privatisation as ‘lopsided', demand full disclosure
KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 — Four Pakatan Harapan MPs have called on the Selangor state government to delay the privatisation of public car parking lots under the Selangor Intelligent Parking (SIP) scheme. They also urged for an independent committee to review the proposal and for full disclosure of the scheme's terms and conditions, including its commercial aspects. 'The proposed SIP privatisation scheme raises legal, commercial and operational concerns,' The Star quoted Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung, speaking on behalf of the group. 'Overall, from the disclosed but limited information of the scheme, we are concerned that the scheme appears to be in favour of private interests over the rights and benefits of our local authorities (PBT) and constituents.' Lee — along with Selayang MP William Leong, Shah Alam MP Azli Yusof, and Subang MP Wong Chen — said the scheme affects their constituencies and that ministerial approval must be confirmed since public parking lots fall under the Transport Ministry. The scheme's first phase involves the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ), Shah Alam City Council (MBSA), and Selayang Municipal Council (MPS). Under the concession terms, PBTs will handle enforcement while the concessionaire will manage salaries and emoluments of enforcement personnel. Lee claimed that PBTs were sidelined in the decision-making process and noted concerns over a proposed revenue-sharing model under which the private company would receive 50 per cent, MBI 10 per cent, and the PBTs only 40 per cent. 'On the surface, this revenue sharing scheme seems lopsided and needs further detailed disclosures,' Lee said. He added that public parking lots should be seen as a public service and not merely as a revenue-generating venture. 'We call for a revision of the entire scheme and urge the state government and PBTs to prioritise the Klang Valley's broader mobility needs, such as the strategic allocation of parking bays, integration with public transport, and city walkability,' Lee added. State local government and tourism committee chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim previously said the SIP agreement is not final and its August 1 rollout may be postponed pending further refinement.