SEPANG, July 28 — The government has approved an allocation of RM49.14 million for 113 local authorities to build and upgrade 3,173 solar-powered business kiosks, said Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming.
“This is the first green kiosk in the country powered by solar energy, not electricity. Traders can not only operate in the day, but at night as well,” he said.
Nga said 100 kiosks under the Sepang Municipal Council, Kuala Langat Municipal Council, Kuala Pilah District Council, Seremban City Council and Port Dickson Municipal Council have been built, while the remaining 3,073 structures must be completed by year-end.
Nga said every kiosk, per unit of which costs between RM15,000 and RM20,000 to build, was designed with a uniform colour scheme of red and white.
“Petty traders can operate comfortably and with licence,” he told the media after launching the MyKiosk here today, adding that the rental for one kiosk is RM300 a month.
In February, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in tabling Budget 2023 announced an allocation of RM50 million to build new and upgrade 3,000 stalls and kiosks for petty traders operation in popular spots nationwide.
Nga said local authorities will perform periodic monitoring to ensure the kiosks are not being leased to third parties, especially foreigners.
“A trader’s business licences will be revoked if he is found to be leasing his kiosk,” Nga said.
Earlier in his speech, Nga announced an exemption on the first six months’ rental for petty traders operating at Tapak MyKiosk in Taman Putra Perdana here.
Pastry seller Nurul Azean Ezzaty Mustapha, 33, said the exemption was an unexpected gift as she has been operating from her home for about two years.
“I am relieved to not have to pay rent for six months. Now I can spend a bit more on necessities for the business,” she said.
— Bernama
