Latest news with #MCABeliawanis
The Star
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
MACC welcome to have tea at my ministry, says Nga on MyKiosk issue
PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is welcome to 'have tea' at the Housing and Local Government Ministry over the MyKiosk 2.0 project, said its minister, Nga Kor Ming. Nga said that his ministry was also prepared to take action against those who spread slander on social media. 'It is okay. I want to invite (MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri) Azam Baki to come have tea here. 'I ordered the Local Government Department to find those who spread fake news, the ministry will lodge a Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) report under Section 233 (of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998),' said Nga during a press conference at his ministry on Tuesday (May 20). Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998 covers offences involving the transmission of obscene, indecent, false, menacing or offensive content intending to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass others. 'You dare to spread fake news, we also dare to take action. Let's be fair,' added Nga. On Sunday (May 18), MCA Beliawanis called on DAP youth to lodge a joint report to the MACC over the MyKiosk 2.0 project. MCA Beliawanis chairman Ivone Low said the public deserved 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. NGO Malaysia Corruption Watch (MCW) also called for an audit on the costs and implementation of the MyKiosk 2.0 project. Nga that there are 2,798 units of kiosks that were taken up at a rate of 87.74% under the MyKiosk 1.0 initiative, while 2,653 units were taken up at a rate of 65.44% under the MyKiosk 2.0 initiative. Nga added that Johor has 1,185 kiosks, which is the highest among all states in the country. Nga said MyKiosk 2.0 was introduced due to the overwhelming response towards MyKiosk 1.0, where improvements were introduced to the kiosks. 'In MyKiosk 2.0, we introduce solar and environmentally friendly batteries, which can last 12 hours, from the previous four hours.
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.
