Latest news with #TiLianKer
Daily Express
23-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
What's happening with ‘BMW-class' smart toilets, Ti asks Nga
Published on: Monday, June 23, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jun 23, 2025 By: Sean Augustin, FMT Text Size: Former MCA vice-president Ti Lian Ker said housing and local government minister Nga Kor Ming owed the public an explanation. PETALING JAYA: Former MCA vice-president Ti Lian Ker has demanded an update from housing and local government minister Nga Kor Ming on the minister's initiative to turn four public toilets into smart toilets. Ti said there had not been any progress report after Nga announced in November that an additional RM4 million had been allocated for the toilets to be built in four locations in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. 'It isn't a paltry sum, which is why the ministry owes the tax-paying public an update,' he said. Ti said the public needed toilets that were clean and functioning. However he questioned the need to spend RM4 million on four toilets at a time when the people were grappling with the increasing cost of living. 'This money could be put into better use by providing low cost housing for the needy. We should not be tone deaf to the plight of the hard-core poor by replacing their needs for shelter with million dollar toilets,' he said. Last year, Nga said funds were allocated to construct two 'BMW-i' or Bersih, Menawan, Wangi (clean, attractive, and fragrant) smart toilets each in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, with such features as built-in automatic bidets, automatic floor-cleaning machines, and automatic doors for people with disabilities. Advertisement Ti said today: 'We don't need no BMW-class toilets. We need functional and easy to maintain toilets instead of high class toilets with higher end maintenance.' He said a recent outcry over a MyKiosk project by Nga's ministry had made it even more urgent for an update on the toilet scheme. In May, Selangor MCA Youth filed a complaint calling for an investigation into the project's funding and execution. In response, Nga dismissed allegations that the initiative was a white elephant. Under the plan, standardised trading spaces will be provided for rent by the B40 group and small traders. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Free Malaysia Today
23-06-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
What's happening with ‘BMW-class' smart toilets, Ti asks Nga
Former MCA vice-president Ti Lian Ker said housing and local government minister Nga Kor Ming owed the public an explanation. PETALING JAYA : Former MCA vice-president Ti Lian Ker has demanded an update from housing and local government minister Nga Kor Ming on the minister's initiative to turn four public toilets into smart toilets. Ti said there had not been any progress report after Nga announced in November that an additional RM4 million had been allocated for the toilets to be built in four locations in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. 'It isn't a paltry sum, which is why the ministry owes the tax-paying public an update,' he said. Ti said the public needed toilets that were clean and functioning. However he questioned the need to spend RM4 million on four toilets at a time when the people were grappling with the increasing cost of living. 'This money could be put into better use by providing low cost housing for the needy. We should not be tone deaf to the plight of the hard-core poor by replacing their needs for shelter with million dollar toilets,' he said. Last year, Nga said funds were allocated to construct two 'BMW-i' or Bersih, Menawan, Wangi (clean, attractive, and fragrant) smart toilets each in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, with such features as built-in automatic bidets, automatic floor-cleaning machines, and automatic doors for people with disabilities. Ti said today: 'We don't need no BMW-class toilets. We need functional and easy to maintain toilets instead of high class toilets with higher end maintenance.' He said a recent outcry over a MyKiosk project by Nga's ministry had made it even more urgent for an update on the toilet scheme. In May, Selangor MCA Youth filed a complaint calling for an investigation into the project's funding and execution. In response, Nga dismissed allegations that the initiative was a white elephant. Under the plan, standardised trading spaces will be provided for rent by the B40 group and small traders.
Free Malaysia Today
31-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
No proof of MCA being sidelined, say Umno leaders
MCA president Wee Ka Siong together with leaders from other BN partners at Umno's 79th anniversary celebration on May 11. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : Several Umno leaders have denied claims that the party is now prioritising DAP, a long-time adversary of its Barisan Nasional coalition partner MCA. Umno Supreme Council member Shahaniza Shamsuddin said MCA continues to be involved in Umno programmes and even holds positions in BN-led state governments, such as in Pahang. She cited the appointment of Temerloh MCA chief Wong Tat Chee as an assemblyman in Pahang, as well as that of former MCA Youth chief Nicole Wong as a special officer to deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also Umno president. 'What evidence is there of MCA being sidelined? Even MCA president Wee Ka Siong attended Umno's 79th anniversary celebration. 'MCA should focus on strengthening BN to win the 16th general election and move forward,' she told FMT, dismissing the allegations as merely the personal opinion of certain individuals. Yesterday, former MCA vice-president Ti Lian Ker said the party must assert its own direction in view of the fact that members were increasingly feeling that they had been left in the lurch by BN lynchpin Umno. He said MCA members were of the view that Umno was favouring DAP, the party's bitter rival. Ti said that it would be 'irresponsible' for MCA to abandon BN in its current state, but felt the party should strive to win seats in the next general election without relying on its allies. Meanwhile, Puteri Umno chief Nurul Amal Fauzi urged MCA to work with Umno to rebuild BN, which has seen a steady decline since losing its grip on federal power after GE14. 'BN is the best coalition to represent all communities and was widely accepted until the rise of Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional. We should be thinking not just about our respective parties, but about the country,' she said, calling on MCA to join forces in attracting young voters. 'Together, we must help them understand the importance of politics in ensuring national stability for all.'
Malay Mail
31-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Umno leader denies MCA sidelined in favour of DAP, says party still active in BN and state govts
KUALA LUMPUR, May 31 – An Umno leader has reportedly dismissed claims that the party is prioritising the DAP over its Barisan Nasional (BN) ally MCA, saying MCA remains actively involved in BN activities and state administrations. Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Shahaniza Shamsuddin highlighted that MCA leaders still hold posts within BN-led governments. 'What evidence is there of MCA being sidelined? Even MCA president [Datuk Seri] Wee Ka Siong attended Umno's 79th anniversary celebration,' Shahaniza was quoted saying by Free Malaysia Today. Shahaniza highlighted Temerloh MCA chief Wong Tat Chee's appointment as a Pahang assemblyman, and former MCA Youth chief Nicole Wong's role as a special officer to Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to back her point. She also said MCA should focus on strengthening BN ahead of the 16th general election. Her remarks came in response to former MCA vice-president Ti Lian Ker, who said the party must chart its own course amid growing discontent among members who feel sidelined by Umno's alleged leanings towards DAP. Ti said it would be 'irresponsible' for MCA to abandon BN now, but stressed the party should aim to secure its own victories in the next general election rather than relying on allies. Umno and MCA are founding members of BN, a coalition that has since been part of the unity government coalition with Pakatan Harapan, Gabungan Parti Sarawak and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah.
Free Malaysia Today
30-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Not right for MCA to abandon BN now, says former vice-president
Former MCA vice-president Ti Lian Ker said party members are increasingly feeling that they had been left in the lurch by BN lynchpin Umno. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : A former MCA vice-president said it would be 'irresponsible' for the party to abandon Barisan Nasional in its current state, but felt the party should strive to win seats in the next general election without relying on its allies. Ti Lian Ker said BN was currently enduring a difficult time as its irrelevance among the non-Malay voters, who no longer buy into race-based politics, continued to grow. However, he said, the reality was that race and religious-based politics remained a dominant feature in the country's political landscape. Such a trend was evidenced by the growing popularity of PAS and the emergence of the likes of parties such as Bersatu, Amanah, and Pejuang. Ti said MCA should assert its own direction in view of the fact that members were increasingly feeling that they had been left in the lurch by BN lynchpin Umno. He said MCA members were of the view that Umno was favouring DAP, the party's bitter rival. 'As it stands, it seems that MCA is being pushed to the corner and doing what needs to be done in order to survive,' he told FMT. Ti had in April compared MCA and Umno to a troubled marriage involving an estranged wife and runaway husband. He was commenting on a report by a Chinese daily that Kuantan MCA would propose that a vote be carried out during divisional meetings in June on whether discussions should be held on quitting BN. Ti, who is the Kuantan MCA chief, rubbished the report, saying no such proposal had been made. The former deputy minister said it would be reckless for MCA to quit BN, which was founded on the spirit of multiculturalism, accommodation and inclusiveness. He said BN emphasised tolerance, consensus-building and co-existence, principles that were put into practice after Malaya achieved independence, and the subsequent formation of Malaysia. 'Therefore, it will be irresponsible for MCA to leave BN and what it stood for after decades of political stability and growth. 'MCA must remain in BN to ensure that these principles are upheld,' he said. Ti had admitted last month that MCA was currently at a crossroads, as the party must decide whether to remain in BN and be satisfied with 'crumbs thrown its way', or break away to forge its own path at the risk of losing everything. He had said that by continuing in BN, MCA might end up proving DAP's claim that the party had always been subservient to Umno. This, he said, would tarnish the party's image and credibility. While he believes that MCA must not quit BN, Ti said the party needed a 'reset' and must be prepared to stand on its own in the event Umno opted to collaborate with DAP in the long run.
