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Free Malaysia Today
21-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
MCA Youth lodges complaint with MACC over MyKiosk project
Beliawanis MCA chief Ivone Low (far left) and Pahang MCA Youth chief Wong Siew Mun (third from right) entered MACC's headquarters in Putrajaya to submit the complaint on the MyKiosk project. Others who waited outside included Selangor MCA Youth chief Tan Jie Sen (second from left). 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.
The Star
18-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
MCA Beliawanis asks DAP Youth to jointly lodge MACC report over MyKiosk issue
MCA Beliawanis chairman Ivone Low. PETALING JAYA: MCA Beliawanis has called on DAP Youth to lodge a joint report to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over the MyKiosk 2.0 project, urging transparency over the bidding process and project costs. MCA Beliawanis chairman Ivone Low said that the public deserves to know whether the project under the Housing and Local Government Ministry went through an open tender, the actual cost involved, site selection criteria and other details. "To date, the minister concerned, who is from DAP, has failed to come forward with an explanation. DAP leaders have also been seen defending the project by claiming that many traders are eager to rent the MyKiosks. Furthermore, some have said that MCA leaders are also implicated in this controversy. "Therefore, as a party that prioritises the rights and interests of citizens, we hope DAP Youth will stand with us on this issue in the pursuit of truth," she said in a statement on Sunday (May 18). Low expressed hope that pressure from both MCA Beliawanis and DAP Youth would prompt the MACC to act swiftly to investigate whether there are elements of corruption and abuse of power behind the MyKiosk project, and that the findings are reported transparently in order to restore public confidence in the government. On Friday, the Malaysia Corruption Watch (MCW) called on the National Audit Department to conduct a detailed audit into the costs and implementation of the MyKiosk 2.0 project. Its president Jais Abdul Karim said the MACC should also investigate potential abuse of power related to the project, noting that a 62 sq ft MyKiosk 2.0 unit costs RM25,000, while a 700 sq ft People's Housing Project (PPR) unit is priced at just RM35,000. He pointed out that PPR units, complete with three bedrooms and basic amenities, cost just RM50 per square foot, while the much smaller MyKiosk 2.0 units are priced at nearly RM403 per square foot, raising concerns about value for money. Jais added that while the ministry has justified the RM25,000 cost as being due to design improvements for small traders, this should be backed by transparent cost breakdowns and procurement documents. He also called on the government to prioritise affordable housing. Earlier, the ministry, through its official Facebook page, explained that the RM25,000 cost for each MyKiosk 2.0 unit reflects several upgrades over the earlier MyKiosk 1.0 model, which was priced at RM15,000 each. According to the ministry, the newer units include larger solar panels to support higher-capacity electrical devices, enhanced LED lighting and improved design for better trader comfort. The ministry noted that MyKiosk 1.0 had an occupancy rate of 84.35%, which prompted the continuation of the project with these improvements. Additionally, the ministry said the procurement for MyKiosk 2.0 was handled at the local council level through an open quotation process involving registered contractors. It added that 446 contractors have been appointed by 96 local councils nationwide to supply the upgraded units, emphasising that the process was clear and properly managed. The ministry also revealed that local councils nationwide had appointed 795 contractors to manage the procurement and placement of MyKiosk units.
