6,346 MyKiosk units operational nationwide

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 6,346 MyKiosk units nationwide, or 88 per cent of the 7,243 units provided under the programme, were occupied and operational as of August.

Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the remaining 897 units, or 12 per cent, were vacant, based on data and operational reports submitted by state governments and local authorities.

"The MyKiosk programme, implemented through the Local Government Department, aims to improve the socioeconomic status of local traders by providing standardised, safe and conducive business premises at affordable rental rates," he said in a written parliamentary reply published on Parliament's website yesterday.

A total of RM150 million was allocated under the 2023 and 2024 Budgets for MyKiosk 1.0 and 2.0, covering 7,243 units nationwide.

Nga said the ministry was working closely with local authorities to increase occupancy rates and ensure the kiosks were fully utilised, with four strategic measures being implemented to address vacancies.

These included establishing an internal task force to conduct regular, coordinated inspections to assess the suitability of kiosk locations and expedite the process of filling vacant units.

He said the ministry was also holding targeted discussions with local authorities to resolve local issues and allowing them to apply for additional allocations for kiosk maintenance and repairs.

"In addition, a strict traffic-light system has been introduced, with MyKiosk occupancy performance used as a benchmark for approving future projects.

"Local authorities recording poor occupancy performance, classified under the Red Zone, will not be considered for approval of new projects."

Nga said ensuring every MyKiosk unit was fully utilised remained a priority, adding that the ministry would continue to implement interventions, monitoring and follow-up measures with local authorities to improve occupancy rates.