Skip tea with Azam, spill facts - PAC chief brews pressure on Nga

Summary

• PAC chairperson Mas Ermieyati Samsudin wants Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming to reveal details on the MyKiosk programme.

• She says since taxpayers’ funds have been used for the project, the people have a right to know how effective it is.

Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairperson Mas Ermieyati Samsudin has brewed up a bold message for Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming - ditch the tea session with MACC chief Azam Baki.

Instead, she wanted Nga to serve the public with details on the effectiveness of the MyKiosk programme.

“There’s no need to invite anyone for tea, to have tea with Azam. Let the MACC investigate transparently and appropriately. The crux of this matter concerns the effectiveness of the MyKiosk programme for the public.

“By using our public funds, we as citizens have the right to know. We have the right to question, especially now that the public is more aware and discerning,” she said in a video posted on social media.

The Bersatu women’s wing leader and Masjid Tanah MP said the MyKiosk programme has not been fully utilised and appears to be abandoned, despite the cost of each kiosk being estimated between RM15,000 and RM25,000.

“Perhaps many of you, like numerous others out there, haven’t noticed that there are red and white coloured kiosks in our area. Yes, in Masjid Tanah there are two locations where these MyKiosks are situated. Firstly at Kampung Sungai Tuang and at Taman Rekreasi Durian Daun.

“I was made to understand that each of these kiosks, one unit costs between RM15,000 and RM25,000 and that these kiosks have trading cabins and use solar systems for lighting.

“I understand that the ministry has already spent more than RM150 million to run this programme whereby more than 7,000 kiosks have been deployed throughout the country,” she added.

Vacant kiosks

Mas Ermieyati said her findings and observations in the area show that many of these kiosks are left vacant.

She also raised concerns over whether the cost per unit of the kiosks is reasonable and whether thorough research was conducted before the ministry launched the programme.

READ MORE: KINIGUIDE | MyKiosk: Hawker reform or costly white elephant?

“Is RM15,000 to RM25,000 per unit reasonable? Secondly, was a detailed study conducted before the ministry implemented this programme, and who was the contractor that obtained the tender? Was it carried out through proper governance?” she asked.

Mas Ermieyati lamented that while public subsidies are withdrawn on the grounds of benefiting the nation, the government is spending tax monies on matters that raise questions.

The PAC chief said the minister must provide a detailed explanation and not resort to threatening the public.

Previously, Nga said the ministry is open to being investigated by MACC with regard to the MyKiosk programme.

“I would like to invite Azam to my office for tea (to discuss further),” he had added.

Nga also warned of legal action against those who spread false claims about the project on social media

“We are actively gathering video evidence,” he added.

He said spreading false information is a criminal offence under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, and that the ministry would file complaints to the MCMC for legal action.

MCA files MACC report over MyKiosk project

MyKiosk: Nga denies improprieties, MCA wants receipts