Housing and local government minister Nga Kor Ming today brushed off fears that his ministry’s MyKiosk project would become a white elephant, saying the majority of the over-7,000 kiosks nationwide had already been taken up.
“Only a few are left, and my ministry has already given instructions to ensure that all kiosks are fully occupied,” he said after attending an event here.
He was asked to respond to a recent report that local authorities in Negeri Sembilan had been given a one-month deadline to place traders at vacant MyKiosk stalls.
A total of 414 MyKiosks were provided throughout Negeri Sembilan in 2023 and 2024, but only 250 were reported to be occupied, despite their location in strategic areas near popular street trading spots.
The local council reportedly said the deadline was given to ensure that the kiosks did not become a white elephant project.
The MyKiosk programme aims to support roadside vendors by offering them proper facilities at minimal cost.
In December, it was reported that the ministry had approved 7,243 kiosks across 133 local authorities over the span of two years.
Nga said then that the ministry had spent RM150 million over the past two years.
Today, Nga said traders were being offered six months of rent-free operation, followed by a nominal rental of RM10 per day.
He said the project was based on applications from local councils to help regulate illegal trading activities and empower micro-entrepreneurs.
“There is definitely demand. The project was based on applications from local councils.
“There are many roadside traders operating illegally, and we now legalise them and they will operate from MyKiosks,” he added, giving the example of a trader in Melaka whom he said now earned RM30,000 a month selling fried chicken.
