Bau: Mas Gading MP Mordi Bimol has called for closer collaboration between the Bau District Council (MDB) and the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) to improve the implementation of the MyKiosk 2.0 program in semi-urban areas like Bau, where small traders face unique operational challenges.
Speaking after an official meeting with MDB, Mordi highlighted the need for a more flexible and context-sensitive approach to MyKiosk, stressing that standardised kiosk designs must be adapted to fit local business realities.
“I acknowledge that MDB is implementing a kiosk design provided by KPKT, but this top-down model should not prevent practical, on-the-ground adjustments.
“It is essential that MDB and KPKT work hand in hand to refine the policy so that it truly meets the needs of our local micro-entrepreneurs,” he said in a statement.
Mordi’s remarks follow growing discontent among small traders in Bau, many of whom have expressed that the program’s conditions are burdensome and were raised during an official meeting with MDB on 11 June 2025.
The meeting followed a dialogue session held a day earlier at the MP’s service centre, where small traders expressed frustration over difficulties in securing permanent trading sites and repeated relocations by the council, including the conditions of MyKiosk by MDB.
Among the primary concerns raised were the prohibitions against cooking both inside and outside the kiosks, as well as the use of canopies for food preparation.
For hot food vendors, such as those selling satay, grilled chicken, burgers, and lok-lok, these rules are seen as impractical, as customers typically prefer freshly prepared meals on-site.
MDB explained that these conditions were based on safety and hygiene considerations, as the kiosks provided by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) lack adequate ventilation and fire safety equipment.
Nonetheless, the council expressed willingness to review the technical requirements in light of the traders’ needs.
He urged both MDB and KPKT to jointly review and revise the technical requirements for kiosk design, allowing for greater adaptability at the local level.
According to Mordi, the voices of small traders especially those from the B40 income group must be placed at the centre of policy discussions.
“Any initiative aimed at supporting the B40 group must directly reflect their voices and ensure policies are fair, practical, and responsive to on-the-ground conditions.
“It’s not enough to have good intentions. The implementation must be informed by real-life conditions,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mordi added that the traders have appealed to remain at their current location in front of Gerai Bukit Emas, which they describe as more strategic and commercially viable while awaiting the outcome of their MyKiosk applications at the Bau Goldtown Night Market site.
“They also voiced readiness to pay a modest daily fee, such as RM2.50, similar to that charged to farmers’ market vendors,” Mordi said, hoping that the meeting would mark the beginning of a more inclusive and holistic approach to supporting small traders in Bau.
