KPKT Plans Enhanced i-KrediKom App To Curb Illegal Moneylending

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 10 (Bernama) -- The Housing and Local Government (KPKT) Ministry plans to develop a new application to upgrade i-KrediKom with additional functions beginning next year, the Dewan Negara was told today.

Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu said the app, which helps prospective borrowers verify the licensing status of moneylending companies, will be enhanced with features such as QR code scanning, digital licence certificates and shop account checks.

“The ministry also works closely with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to identify and curb ‘ah long’ (loan shark) activities,” she said during question time. 

She was responding to a supplementary question from Senator Datuk Rosni Sohar on integrating i-KrediKom with PDRM and MCMC databases to block illegal loan advertisements.

Aiman Athirah said more than 300 loan advertisement websites have been taken down through cooperation between KPKT and MCMC, and integration efforts will continue.

Meanwhile, Aiman Athirah said a total of 2,356 kilogrammes (kg) of food waste has been successfully treated at composting sites under a proof-of-concept food waste collection project implemented by KPKT and the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp).

The project, carried out at three locations in Kuala Lumpur and in Bandar Baru Nilai, involved 20 premises and used composting methods as well as the Black Soldier Fly (BSF) approach, which uses larvae to process domestic food waste.

“This treatment process has reduced emissions by 1,060 kilogrammes of carbon dioxide and 23.56 kilogrammes of methane,” she said in reply to Senator Datuk Ng Keng Heng’s question on government measures to implement source separation of municipal solid waste at commercial premises.

She said the initiative is being expanded to states that have adopted the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672), while several commercial centres, including MyTOWN Shopping Centre, have taken proactive steps to establish recycling centres and food waste separation facilities for delivery to BSF sites.

-- BERNAMA