Latest news with #MyKiosk
The Sun
14-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Stalls at Lake Park Hillpark in Puncak Alam attract steady stream of customers due to strategic placement in scenic surroundings and ample parking space.
PETALING JAYA: The success of the MyKiosk programme may ultimately hinge on two key factors – strategic location and the willingness of traders to seize opportunities. A check by theSun at the Lake Park Hillpark parking lot in Puncak Alam, where several MyKiosk stalls are located, revealed strong interest from operators, encouraged by the steady stream of customers in the area. The site, selected and managed by the Kuala Selangor Municipal Council, has been praised for its strategic placement with scenic surroundings and ample parking, making it an attractive and convenient stop for visitors. While some traders acknowledged that rental fees for the kiosks are higher than for traditional roadside stalls, many reported encouraging sales. They rejected allegations of cronyism in the selection of kiosk operators, stressing that the process was transparent and merit-based. 'Before operating this kiosk, I was trading under a tent nearby. Then, I found out through the council's Facebook page that applications for the kiosks were open. 'I applied and went through the standard process. I filled in a form at the council office and was later called for an interview,' said Shafawati Abdul Aziz, 41. She added that she was interviewed by a panel of 15, underscoring the council's rigorous selection approach. 'They asked about my business experience, how long I'd been trading and my long-term plans. The focus was clearly on selecting committed entrepreneurs, not people who would sublet the kiosks.' The entire process took about two months, and Shafawati has now been operating the kiosk for three months, earning a five-figure monthly income. She expressed appreciation for the council's location choice. 'If the kiosks are set up where there's no demand, people won't come, and traders won't apply. It just won't work.' Shafawati added that MyKiosk could be the launchpad for small traders like her with dreams of eventually opening their own restaurants. Adi Amri Rizman, 35, said hesitation among some traders to absorb higher costs might help explain why certain kiosks remain unoccupied. Having previously spent two years as a roadside vendor, Adi also rejected suggestions of cronyism linked to the initiative. 'There's no such thing. We applied on our own. There was no red tape or favouritism,' he said, adding that the process with the council had been straightforward. He believes that both location and product selection play a key role in the success of the Housing and Local Government Ministry's MyKiosk initiative, which aims to support the B40 group and MSMEs by providing standardised, safe and comfortable business spaces. 'In most cases, local authorities set up these kiosks in areas where informal trading was already taking place. Where there were once tents, there are now kiosks.' On product strategy, Adi said traders need to be responsive to their surroundings. 'For example, a kiosk outside a shopping mall can't sell the same goods as one by the roadside. Traders need to be adaptable. It is not just about selling what they're used to, but about meeting local demand.' As of November last year, 7,243 MyKiosk units have been approved across 133 local authorities nationwide.
The Sun
14-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Good location vital for success of MyKiosk initiative
PETALING JAYA: The success of the MyKiosk programme may ultimately hinge on two key factors – strategic location and the willingness of traders to seize opportunities. A check by theSun at the Lake Park Hillpark parking lot in Puncak Alam, where several MyKiosk stalls are located, revealed strong interest from operators, encouraged by the steady stream of customers in the area. The site, selected and managed by the Kuala Selangor Municipal Council, has been praised for its strategic placement with scenic surroundings and ample parking, making it an attractive and convenient stop for visitors. While some traders acknowledged that rental fees for the kiosks are higher than for traditional roadside stalls, many reported encouraging sales. They rejected allegations of cronyism in the selection of kiosk operators, stressing that the process was transparent and merit-based. 'Before operating this kiosk, I was trading under a tent nearby. Then, I found out through the council's Facebook page that applications for the kiosks were open. 'I applied and went through the standard process. I filled in a form at the council office and was later called for an interview,' said Shafawati Abdul Aziz, 41. She added that she was interviewed by a panel of 15, underscoring the council's rigorous selection approach. 'They asked about my business experience, how long I'd been trading and my long-term plans. The focus was clearly on selecting committed entrepreneurs, not people who would sublet the kiosks.' The entire process took about two months, and Shafawati has now been operating the kiosk for three months, earning a five-figure monthly income. She expressed appreciation for the council's location choice. 'If the kiosks are set up where there's no demand, people won't come, and traders won't apply. It just won't work.' Shafawati added that MyKiosk could be the launchpad for small traders like her with dreams of eventually opening their own restaurants. Adi Amri Rizman, 35, said hesitation among some traders to absorb higher costs might help explain why certain kiosks remain unoccupied. Having previously spent two years as a roadside vendor, Adi also rejected suggestions of cronyism linked to the initiative. 'There's no such thing. We applied on our own. There was no red tape or favouritism,' he said, adding that the process with the council had been straightforward. He believes that both location and product selection play a key role in the success of the Housing and Local Government Ministry's MyKiosk initiative, which aims to support the B40 group and MSMEs by providing standardised, safe and comfortable business spaces. 'In most cases, local authorities set up these kiosks in areas where informal trading was already taking place. Where there were once tents, there are now kiosks.' On product strategy, Adi said traders need to be responsive to their surroundings. 'For example, a kiosk outside a shopping mall can't sell the same goods as one by the roadside. Traders need to be adaptable. It is not just about selling what they're used to, but about meeting local demand.' As of November last year, 7,243 MyKiosk units have been approved across 133 local authorities nationwide.
Borneo Post
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
MyKiosk project a 'national embarrassment', SUPP Piasau man calls for full audit
Tan shows the signboard of the MyKiosk scheme during the visit. MIRI (June 13): Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) Piasau branch has urged the federal government to launch a full audit of the MyKiosk project, which has drawn growing public criticism over its implementation and impact. Its publicity secretary Tan Lik Jin said the project, initially promoted as an initiative to support small traders, has instead become a national embarrassment due to inflated costs, poor site selection, and low usage. 'This is a high-cost, low-impact project that has rightfully drawn criticism from the people across political lines,' said Tan, who is also a councillor with Miri City Council (MCC), in a statement. He cited concerns over kiosks costing up to RM25,000 each, many of which are located in remote and rarely frequented areas, and questioned the transparency of the tender process. Tan also criticised leaders from Miri Democratic Action Party (DAP) for remaining silent during initial calls for accountability, only to later shift blame to local councils. 'The truth is, this project was fully initiated and managed by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government Malaysia, under a DAP minister. Local authorities had no decision-making power, only implementation role,' he said. 'For Miri DAP to point fingers at the local level while shielding their own party colleague in Putrajaya is not only dishonest, it is a betrayal of public trust.' He went on to accuse DAP of engaging in 'termite-style destruction', portraying themselves as champions of accountability in public while quietly serving the interests of political allies in Peninsular Malaysia. Tan added that the failure of the MyKiosk project was not limited to Sarawak, citing similar issues in Pakatan Harapan-governed states such as Penang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan where kiosks have reportedly been left empty and underutilised. 'If even these states cannot make the project work, how can they blame local authorities here in Sarawak?' he questioned. Tan urged the federal government to carry out a full audit of project expenditures, contractor appointments, site selection processes, and actual kiosk usage data ― and to release the findings to the public. 'Taxpayer money has been wasted. The people deserve answers, not excuses,' he stressed. He also called on Miri DAP to stop the 'political theatre' and hold their federal leaders accountable. miri MyKiosk national embarrassment SUPP
Malaysiakini
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Sarawak DAP Youth chides Miri City Council over MyKiosk 'failure'
Sarawak DAP Youth has condemned the Miri City Council (MCC) over allegedly failing to execute the government's MyKiosk project, which aims to modernise roadside hawker businesses. Its chief Peter Hee reportedly accused MCC of allowing the project - which began in 2022 and saw 10 kiosks constructed across Miri - to go to waste, with many kiosks abandoned and deteriorating. According to Borneo Post, Hee blamed the local authority for...
The Star
09-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Malaysians must resist attempts to erode fundamental freedoms, says MCA
THE continuous violations of people's rights and freedoms threaten to plunge the nation into the darkest chapter in Malaysian history. Fundamental freedoms outlined in the Federal Constitution such as freedom of speech and movement are now in a downward spiral. Over the past year, citizens' rights and freedoms have been consistently suppressed and intimidated by the government. The clear intention behind these actions is to create a fear-based effect that discourages the public from expressing dissatisfaction or criticising government policies. Several incidents; all of which have been reported by the media, have highlighted this troubling trend: – In April, a netizen working at a petrol station was detained by the police after uploading a video critical of the Prime Minister. A few days later, he was charged in court. – In May, a car dealership owner and influencer who requested an investigation into the background and finances of PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar was summoned by the Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). The police later took him in for questioning and his dealership was raided by authorities. – The Housing and Local Government Ministry's MyKiosk project sparked controversy regarding inflated costs and the risk of becoming a white elephant project. Multiple MCA leaders who commented on the issue saw their TikTok videos removed overnight, with some even having their accounts banned. – Renowned artist and social activist Fahmi Reza was banned from leaving the country, with the government later claiming it was a misunderstanding. – The South China Morning Post revealed that the Malaysian government had ordered telecommunication companies to submit detailed records of users' calls and Internet activities. These incidents show how the government has mobilised state apparatus to systematically suppress, monitor, and intimidate the people. Such actions not only violate democratic principles but also severely infringe upon human rights. Those in power should prioritise the well-being of the people, respect basic human rights, and uphold the rule of law, rather than abusing power to silence dissenting voices. A government that fears the people's voices is one that is heading toward authoritarianism. It is crucial for the public to remain vigilant and resist any attempts to erode or dismiss fundamental freedoms. Together, we as fellow Malaysians must continue to defend the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the nation's Constitution. CHAN QUIN ER MCA information chief and Wanita MCA secretary-general
