Mca Youth Macc Suggestions Confirm Governance Flaws In Mykiosk

---

Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Aiman Athirah Sabu's response in the Dewan Negara regarding the MyKiosk project confirms that MCA's concerns are valid, the party’s youth wing said.
Pahang MCA Youth chief Wong Siew Mun said this was over Aiman’s revelation that the MACC recommended several governance improvements to the ministry over the project.
"This acknowledgement that enhancements are needed indeed indicates that certain weaknesses were present," Wong said in a statement today.
Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Aiman Athirah SabuIn July, Bernama reported the MACC as launching an investigation into alleged corruption and irregularities in the MyKiosk's tender process.
Preliminary investigations followed a complaint lodged by a political party, MACC Investigation Division senior director Zainul Darus said.
In May, MCA filed a report with the MACC urging authorities to investigate allegations of improprieties over the MyKiosk project.
MCA Youth deputy chief Mike Chong asserted that the effectiveness of the project has become a matter of public dispute, while certain quarters insist that the inflated pricing of each kiosk has led to a ballooning of the project’s total cost.
Weaknesses in project
Commenting further, Wong said Aiman's confirmation reveals weaknesses in the project.
Wong explained that one of these is the ceiling cost of a kiosk.
"The deputy minister stated that the ceiling cost for a MyKiosk 1.0 unit is RM15,000, while a MyKiosk 2.0 unit is RM25,000.
"However, similar kiosks are available on the market for around RM12,800 per unit.
ADS"This discrepancy naturally leads the public to question why a significantly higher price is being paid by the government for what appears to be a comparable product," she said.
She said another concern is public sentiment over whether the kiosks are worth the cost.
"The newer kiosk model includes upgrades such as a larger solar panel and powder-coated walls.
"However, many feel these improvements do not fully account for the substantial price increase from RM15,000 to RM25,000 per unit, with some reports suggesting the additional fittings are of low quality," she said.
She suggested that the ministry, including Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, conduct unannounced site visits frequently to understand the matter.
Pahang MCA Youth chief Wong Siew MunThe final concern lay in MyKiosk's occupancy rate, Wong added.
"While the reported occupancy rates of 94.39 percent for MyKiosk 1.0 and 89.07 percent for MyKiosk 2.0 are positive, the reasons given for any unoccupied units, such as location suitability and incomplete sites, align with the issues we and the public highlighted," she said.
She recommended that the ministry hold engagement sessions with local traders and communities to resolve this.
MACC’s probe
Commenting on the MACC's probe, Wong said it surprised many how the graft-buster agency concluded that no criminal elements were found, a mere day after announcing the launch of the investigation.
"Furthermore, the public reaction was compounded when, just days prior, Nga was reported to have directed officials to identify TikTok users alleged to have spread misinformation.
"At the same time, his public invitation to the chief commissioner of the MACC for 'tea' at his office was perceived by some as a gesture that could risk undermining the independent image of the MACC.
"Such actions have, unfortunately, led to a degree of public unease and scepticism towards a leadership that has always championed the values of integrity and accountability," she commented.
Wong expressed her hope that the release of the MACC’s recommendations will lead towards the implementation of governance improvements in the project. - Mkini

---