Minister Nga pledges a month's salary to KPKT innovation winner

Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming has pledged one month of his ministerial salary to the winner of the Prime Minister’s Innovation Award if a ministry entry takes the top prize this year. He made the announcement at the ministry’s Innovation Day 2026 in Putrajaya on Oct 1.

PETALING JAYA (Oct 2): Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming has pledged to contribute one month of his ministerial salary to the winner if an entry from his ministry wins the Prime Minister’s Innovation Award this year.

Speaking at the ministry’s Innovation Day 2026 in Putrajaya on Oct 1, Nga said the contribution would go to the winner that brings honour to the Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT), theSun reported. At the event, Nga also urged ministry personnel to develop innovations that save time and costs, optimise resources and improve the speed and effectiveness of public service delivery, Bernama reported.

He said the ministry should replicate and expand successful innovations so their benefits reach more people, and make innovation a consistent part of its work rather than an activity confined to competitions. KPKT’s responsibilities include housing, local government, urban planning, cleanliness and solid waste management, as well as fire and rescue services.

The event showcased 54 innovation projects, comprising 43 Innovative and Creative Group (KIK) projects and 11 Minister’s Innovation Award (AIM) projects. The Penang Fire and Rescue Department took the top two places in the AIM competition. Its BM Fighter team won with Checkpoint Tracker, while the Sungai Bakap Strategic team finished runner-up.

Penang department director Mohamad Shoki Hamzah said Checkpoint Tracker was developed to help rescue teams locate people lost in forests, with the aim of shortening searches and reducing operational costs and manpower requirements. He said the system uses GPS technology, an SOS feature and a progressive web app. Under the system described, hikers scan a QR code before entering forested areas to enable their locations and movements to be monitored.

Meanwhile, the Puchong Fire and Rescue Station’s Rescue Flex project won the Department and Agency KIK category. Station chief Muhammad Azizul Hakim Idris said the device combines three functions for managing neck, arm and leg injuries. He said it could save time and reduce the need for rescuers to carry multiple pieces of equipment during accident response and search-and-rescue operations.