Latest news with #MyKiosks
The Star
25-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Join us to inspect MyKiosk locations, Pahang MCA youth tells DAP
MCA Youth Pahang finds it deeply troubling that Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming and DAP leaders are using the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) early conclusion that there is 'no criminal element' in the MyKiosk project as a shield — not only to silence critics but to demand an apology from MCA. From the beginning, the MyKiosk initiative raised serious concerns. The project involved spending a substantial sum of public funds to construct over 7,000 metal kiosks, supposedly to raise public income and resolve illegal hawker issues. Yet these promises were never backed by sound planning or evidence-based policy. MCA Youth has consistently raised two fundamental questions: • Was the government overcharged for these kiosks? • Has the project, in practice, turned into another white elephant? It is absurd that DAP leaders deflect blame onto MCA and demand an apology, yet still refuse to explain whether MyKiosk is effective or if public funds were wasted. It's a classic case of attacking the messenger instead of answering the message. Key questions remain unanswered: Why did the Minister think 7,000 kiosks would raise public income? How would these 7,000 kiosks solve illegal hawking? What is the actual cost per kiosk — and was it overpriced? Instead of addressing these concerns, the government hides behind MACC's remarkably swift declaration. A one-day investigation followed by a blanket statement of 'no criminal element' hardly reassures the public, especially when no real explanations are provided. Malaysians deserve transparency, not political diversion. Minister Nga and DAP leaders continue to evade the real questions. Why did the Ministry believe that mass-producing kiosks would solve complex socio-economic issues? What data supported this plan? And who is accountable for the growing evidence — including videos and photos — that these kiosks are now abandoned, underused, or placed in remote, impractical locations? Ironically, the first person to call this project a 'white elephant' did not hail from MCA, but DAP's own Negeri Sembilan EXCO, Arul Kumar. Is DAP now accusing him of spreading misinformation? Or do they only demand apologies when it suits their narrative? True leadership means owning up to flawed decisions, not shifting blame. The MyKiosk debacle reflects a worrying trend: superficial, headline-grabbing policies with no real depth. Minister Nga should not dismiss valid public concern as political rhetoric. Malaysians are not demanding perfection but merely asking for responsible policies, honest answers, and meaningful outcomes. It is not MCA that owes the nation an apology. If anything, those who pushed forward a flawed and costly programme without foresight or accountability — and now refuse to answer for its failings — are the ones who owe the public an explanation. Meanwhile, MCA Youth Pahang invites DAP leaders to join us in visiting and inspecting the grounds of the MyKiosks and self-gauge on the suitability of the location and if the price justifies the construction costs. It is time to stop defending failed policies and start delivering results that truly matter. Wong Siew Mun Pahang MCA Youth chief
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.
The Star
22-04-2025
- Business
- The Star
Over 650 MyKiosk units distributed throughout Perak
MyKiosk units are offered for rental to traders who have passed interviews by their respective local councils. — Filepic AS of last year, 651 MyKiosk units have been distributed in Perak, says state executive councillor Sandrea Ng. The housing and local government committee chairman said the highest number of MyKiosks were distributed to the Tapah district, followed by Teluk Intan and Manjung. 'All MyKiosks have been offered for rental to traders who successfully passed interviews conducted by their respective local authorities.' She said MyKiosks, equipped with solar panels, were provided according to specifications set by the Housing and Local Government Ministry. Ng said the initiative aimed to empower the B40 group, micro-entrepreneurs and small traders by providing uniform, safe and comfortable business facilities. 'However, the council has no objection if tenants wish to apply for electricity supply from Tenaga Nasional Bhd, provided all costs are borne by them,' she said in reply to Dr Najihatussalehah Ahmad (PN-Bota) during the Perak State Assembly sitting at Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan in Ipoh yesterday. Dr Najihatussalehah had asked about the number of MyKiosks distributed to each district, how many were currently operational and whether utilities were provided by the municipal or district councils. On a supplementary question on the number of MyKiosks at the Parit parliamentary constituency, especially in Bota, Ng said 30 kiosks have been provided, with 21 in Seri Iskandar and nine in Parit. Dr Najihatussalehah also asked if a study had been conducted on the Mykiosks' placement, given that the location of Bandar Sidec in Seri Iskandar was hidden and its parking lot was still covered with crusher-run stones although the project was supposed to have been completed a year ago. Ng replied that the site placement study took into account safety factors as well as the objective of creating new and more organised commercial areas. She said Perak Tengah District Council was preparing a parking area in Bandar Sidec, subject to the approval of the traffic committee meeting. 'No utility facilities are provided as the kiosks are based on a 'take-away' concept and the space is not intended to function as a food court.' On the issue of vacant MyKiosk units in Seri Iskandar, Ng said all units had been offered for rental to tenants but some tenants had requested to delay the start of their tenancy while they relocated.
