While providing much more comfort and relief from heavy-duty responsibilities for small traders, the government’s MyKiosk initiative also creates awareness and provides exposure towards the benefits of solar energy as one of the readily available green technologies.
Chair for Universiti Malaya (UM) Industry, Innovation and Sustainable Science Cluster, Prof Dr Hazlie Mokhlis said the MyKiosk is a very good approach from the government whereby it goes in line with the National Energy Policy 2022-2040 objective of driving environmental sustainability.
“Malaysia is very dependent on electrical supply from coal power plants. This initiative will help a lot in the energy transition from fossil fuel into green energy.
“At the same time, MyKiosk also provides exposure and increases awareness towards green tech; customers who patronise the food stalls there will see this kind of kiosk and be presented with the importance of using sustainable energy,” he told Bernama in an exclusive interview recently.
Previously, Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming said the government has approved an allocation of RM49.14 million to 113 local authorities (PBT) for the construction and upgrading of 3,173 business kiosks equipped with solar panels, as a part of the MADANI Economy initiative.
Besides operating in a safer and more comfortable manner, Nga said small traders who run their businesses at the kiosks are exempted from paying rental fees for the first six months of their operations.
Nor Fadilah Omar, 36, who runs a fruit rojak and cendol business at the Taman Putra Perdana MyKiosk site, said her labour had been reduced tremendously since starting her business operation there.
“Before this, I had to move and open my own tent and arrange items for the business every day. With the kiosk, I need only to bring my business necessities… it is so much easier, not to mention I no longer have to endure so much heat,” she said.
Meanwhile, Adrulrizal Ali Zamar, 34, appreciated the six-month rental fee exemption, citing it as a much-needed incentive and another form of expenditure saving in the current economic climate.
“This means our part to do now is to promote our businesses greatly, be it through social media or word of mouth. I have my regulars (customers) already, but it is always better to have even more customers coming to the much more comfortable MyKiosk site,” he added.
