Kuala lumpur: 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.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the ministry is also working closely with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to identify and curb 'ah long' (loan shark) activities. This collaboration includes measures such as the removal of more than 300 loan advertisement websites, with ongoing efforts to integrate i-KrediKom with PDRM and MCMC databases to block illegal loan advertisements.

In a separate initiative, Aiman Athirah announced that a total of 2,356 kilogrammes of food waste has been successfully treated at composting sites as part of a proof-of-concept food waste collection project implemented by KPKT and the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp). This project, conducted at three locations in Kuala Lumpur and Bandar Baru Nilai, involved 20 premises and employed both composting methods and the Black Soldier Fly (BSF) approach, which utilizes larvae to process domestic food waste.

This treatment process has resulted in a reduction of emissions by 1,060 kilogrammes of carbon dioxide and 23.56 kilogrammes of methane. The initiative is being expanded to states that have adopted the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672), with several commercial centres, including MyTOWN Shopping Centre, taking proactive steps to establish recycling centres and food waste separation facilities for delivery to BSF sites.