‘Detractors of MyKiosk initiative should apologise'
He said the accusations had unfairly smeared the efforts of ministry staff as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said there was no abuse of power or criminal wrongdoing in the programme's implementation.
Nga cited MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki's statement on July 3 which cleared the ministry of misconduct.
'Those who throw stones should not hide their hands. I demand an apology to all the ministry's staff who have worked tirelessly.
'Anyone who has spread slander or false claims about MyKiosk, please come forward and apologise.'
Responding to criticism labelling MyKiosk as a 'white elephant', Nga said the initiative had shown real progress, even if full occupancy had yet to be achieved.
As of July 2025, MyKiosk 1.0 (2023) recorded a 91.75% occupancy rate with 2,926 units filled while MyKiosk 2.0 (2024) reached 86.78% occupancy with 3,518 units taken up nationwide.
The figures demonstrate the programme's success in providing safe, affordable spaces for small businesses, particularly in urban areas, Nga said in reply to a question from Batu Pahat MP Onn Abu Bakar.
The initiative is funded via the ministry's BP1 allocation for small-scale infrastructure projects implemented by local authorities. RM50 million was spent in 2023 for 3,189 kiosks and RM100 million in 2024 for an additional 4,054 units.
Nga admitted there had been some administrative hiccups but said the ministry is working to resolve them, including through site visits in both government and opposition-led states.
'We are not TikTok warriors spreading baseless claims. We are honourable members of this House,' he told Hulu Selangor MP Mohd Hasnizan Harun, who raised concerns about vacant kiosks.
Nga said to strengthen oversight a 'traffic light' system had been introduced to rate the 156 local councils managing MyKiosk sites, with councils in the green zone rewarded with more funds while councils in the red zone face budget cuts, though support would be given to help them improve.
He added that many kiosk tenants now earn sustainable incomes, proving MyKiosk is more than just infrastructure as it is also a tool for economic empowerment.
Nga also tabled the Street, Drainage and Building (Amendment) Bill 2025 to boost enforcement and encourage civic responsibility.
The Bill proposes amending Sections 47 and 48 and introduces Section 125A, allowing local councils to impose community service for minor littering offences.
Key highlights include fines of up to RM2,000 for first-time offenders, RM3,000 for repeat offenders and up to 12 hours of community service, subject to the court's discretion.
'This is not just about punishing people. It is also about building a culture of care and responsibility.'
Offenders under 18 will be handled under the Child Act 2001.
The Bill applies to Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan, with enforcement timing to be set by state governments.
Nga said the proposal complements recent updates to the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act, reinforcing the need for stronger action to tackle Malaysia's littering problem.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
10 minutes ago
- The Sun
MACC boosts forensic probes, asset recovery in 13MP anti-corruption push
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will intensify its crackdown on corruption, financial leakages, and power abuse by upgrading operational tools, deepening forensic capabilities, and accelerating asset recovery. Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed the move aligns with the governance reforms highlighted in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP). Azam stressed the commission's dual focus: rigorous enforcement and societal integrity education. 'MACC recognises public expectations and will fulfil this mandate to foster a corruption-free Malaysia, directly supporting economic resilience,' he said in a statement. The agency aims to embed ethical values through community programmes, cultivating 'principled citizens' to sustain long-term anti-graft efforts. Collaboration remains central to MACC's strategy. 'We stand united with the government and rakyat to achieve 13MP's socioeconomic goals, ensuring development benefits all equitably,' Azam added. The plan's emphasis on accountability mirrors MACC's ongoing initiatives, including high-profile asset seizures and cross-border corruption probes. - Bernama
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
US tariff cut signals global trust in Malaysia, says Nga
PETALING JAYA: The United States' decision to reduce tariffs on Malaysian exports to 19% reflects international confidence in Putrajaya's economic governance and diplomatic efforts, says Nga Kor Ming (pic). The Housing and Local Government Minister described the revised tariff rate as a testament to Malaysia's credibility as a reliable economic partner and its effective diplomatic engagement. 'We are grateful for this positive development. It sends a strong signal of trust in Malaysia's economic governance, policy reforms and commitment to fair and rules-based trade. 'The 19% rate achieved without compromising our national sovereignty underscores Malaysia's maturity in international negotiations,' he said in a statement yesterday. Nga, who is president of the UN-Habitat Assembly – which sets policy direction on Sustainable Urban Development and Human Settlements, credited the sustained bilateral negotiations led by the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry under the guidance of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said progressive trade developments would have a positive impact across sectors, particularly construction and manufacturing. Nga said Malaysia's export of furniture, lighting signs and prefabricated building materials to the United States was valued at US$1.55bil (about RM7bil) in 2024. 'Lower tariffs can enable greater access to quality construction material and technologies at competitive prices, supporting our goal to build smarter, greener and more liveable homes and cities,' he said. Nga also welcomed the planned visit of US President Donald Trump to Kuala Lumpur in October for the 47th Asean Summit, as announced by Anwar on Thursday.
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Cautious spending keeping costs manageable amid new SST rate
PETALING JAYA: One month after the scope of the Sales and Service Tax (SST) was expanded, some households have reported a slight increase in expenses, while others did not. For lecturer Muhammad Syafiq Imran Abdul Rahim, his grocery bill for July has seen an increase of about RM40. 'I usually spend about RM400 a month, and I've noticed an increase last month (July). 'Subsidised items like eggs and chicken are still affordable, but items like fruits have seen some differences,' the 31-year-old from Ipoh said. 'It used to cost me about RM9 for 10 green apples, but it's about RM11 now. 'While it's not a huge jump and still manageable for me, I think it's important to spend moderately,' he added. Auxiliary policeman M. Moganadass, 48, said his household spending has remained fairly consistent, though he estimates that there has been a 15% increase overall. 'Our monthly groceries used to be around RM500, but we're spending a bit more now,' he said. 'We mostly eat at home now and try to cut back on eating out,' he added. Retiree N. Manimaran, 67, said his grocery bill for July has also increased slightly to about RM520 from about RM500 in previous months. While describing the increase as insignificant, he said he will try his best to keep his expenditure to a minimum. 'I will try to avoid imported goods or items like avocados. I do hope the government could reconsider the SST rate, which would benefit the broader population. 'Governments worldwide are struggling with their economies, but reducing tax could really help ease the people's burden,' he added. Personal assistant R. Chitra, 46, said she noticed an increase in her household spending, particularly on groceries and medical treatment. 'The cost of treatment at private clinics is no longer within RM100, and it has gone up beyond that. This is especially burdensome for families with children. 'Groceries from mid-range supermarkets have also become more expensive. For example, the price of breakfast cereal went up from RM2.15 to RM3.45, while powdered coconut milk (santan) rose from around RM1.20 to RM2.30,' she said. Chitra added that although these may seem like small items, they contribute significantly to the overall increase in grocery expenses. To cope with rising costs, Chitra said she adjusted her spending, prioritising basic necessities and having more home-cooked meals. 'I have cut down on eating out. Instead, I stock up on basic ingredients and cook more at home,' she said. The mother of three also urged the government to place more emphasis on maximising the country's natural resources for economic benefit. 'Malaysia has lost its focus on agriculture and now we (the people) are facing the consequences. 'We have an abundance of natural resources, especially in agriculture, which could help increase national revenue if better managed,' she said. Contractor Zipo A. Aziz, 51, said despite the SST prices, his grocery has remained stable. 'It has been nearly a month, and I still have not seen grocery prices go up. 'In fact, I remain firm in my choice to support local products instead of spending unnecessarily on imported goods. 'I believe the choice lies in our hands. As consumers, we need to be smart in making decisions by choosing to spend within our means and buy wisely,' he said. Lee Li Lian from Shah Alam said she too has not seen much of a difference in her expenses. 'There wasn't much of a difference so far when I went shopping last weekend. I guess being mindful helps,' said the 38-year-old content executive.
