SHAH ALAM: Local authorities across Selangor are being urged to reassess the placement of MyKiosk units, amid growing concerns that they pose safety hazards and fail to attract the intended traders and customers.
They have been given three months to monitor the situation, said local government and tourism committee chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim.
“If local authorities find the placement of MyKiosk is unsuitable – either obstructing pedestrian walkways or not attracting customers – they can relocate the kiosks,” he said during the Selangor assembly sitting yesterday.
The Housing and Local Government Ministry said in July 2023 that the project was intended to offer kiosks and stalls to small traders and hawkers throughout the country and help them gain a foothold in their business.
Ng said successful applicants were merely “a flash in the pan”, as they either operated the kiosks for a short time or occupied them without much commitment.
“If such situations persist for several months, we may consider replacing the operator,” he said, noting that the Housing and Local Government Ministry was targeting a 90% occupancy rate by next month.
He was responding to Dr Afif Bahardin (PN-Taman Medan), who had asked about efforts to occupy MyKiosks given the low occupancy over the past year.
Dr Afif said residents had complained that empty kiosks were becoming mosquito breeding grounds and obstructing pathways.
He also said the requirement for a deposit of RM2,000 to RM3,000 had deterred applicants.
Ng said he would review the rate but explained that deposits were necessary to ensure traders maintain their kiosks.
“Commitment from operators to care for MyKiosk is part of the cooperation between traders and local authorities,” he said.
In response to Dr Afif’s inquiries about the number of MyKiosk units and the budget, Ng said that 1,028 MyKiosk units, costing RM20.33mil, were distributed across Selangor.
“Taman Medan has the most units at 123, followed by Kota Damansara (85) and Kota Anggerik (75),” he said.
Of the total, RM19,508,520.56 was funded by a ministry allocation. The remaining RM822,211 was covered by local authorities for site preparation, tailored to each location’s specific conditions.
On average, constructing a MyKiosk unit costs RM19,785.80, including structure and site preparation.
“The MyKiosk initiative provides better, cleaner and more organised facilities for traders and addresses issues like hawkers trading in high-risk or unsuitable locations such as roadsides and pavements, which contribute to traffic congestion and safety issues,” said Ng.
“It also expands entrepreneurial opportunities for small-scale traders, micro-entrepreneurs and low-income communities,” he said.
