Photo op for visitors at the ROL project near Masjid Jamek. Beautification along the 10.7km ROL stretch along the Klang and Gombak rivers is 95.6% complete. — Photos: IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
Capital puts best foot forward as it marks 51 years of being a federal territory, prepares to welcome Asean delegates
THIS year is set to be transformative for Kuala Lumpur as the capital celebrates the 51st anniversary of the Federal Territories (FT).
Beyond the many events and festivities lined up to celebrate FT Day, the city, which was proclaimed a federal territory on this day in 1974, is poised to elevate its status in terms of sustainability, heritage preservation and regional influence.
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As Malaysia steps into the spotlight with the Asean chairmanship, Kuala Lumpur is gearing up to restore historic landmarks and reinvigorate the River of Life (RoL) project, breathing new life into its urban landscape.
In an exclusive interview with StarMetro, Dr Zaliha Mustafa, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department responsible for Federal Territories, shares her vision for Kuala Lumpur, aimed at transforming it into a dynamic and inclusive hub that reflects its rich cultural tapestry and forward-thinking spirit.
She also touches on events for FT Day in the other federal territories of Putrajaya and Labuan.
Celebrating the territories
City residents can look forward to carnivals, fun runs and other events throughout this month as part of the FT Day celebrations.
However, with Malaysia set to host various Asean meetings and summits, many more activities are lined up throughout the year, transforming Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya into a garden city of lights.
“For FT Day events, we have 60 programmes planned for the month,” Dr Zaliha said (see graphic titled “FT Day line-up of events”).
Busy year ahead: Dr Zaliha Mustafa, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), says there are over 300 Asean-related events and activities scheduled throughout 2025, with around 180 taking place in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star
“There are over 300 Asean-related events and activities scheduled throughout the year, with about 180 taking place in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.”
Events promoting healthy living and community engagement are also scheduled for the other territories.
In Putrajaya, these include a half marathon, night marathon, neighbourhood clean-up and health-themed carnivals, alongside a bird race and photography competition.
As for Labuan, she said there were plans for an explorace open day, a fishing competition and sukaneka (community sport event) aimed at fostering unity among residents.
Dr Zaliha also hopes to see more flora-focused events in both territories, encouraging families to spend time outdoors and strengthen community ties.
Landscaping along tree-lined Jalan Parlimen has been spruced up. KL Tower in the background is one of several buildings set to be illuminated in a myriad of colours for FT Day.
“As a medical doctor, I truly believe that a healthy population leads to a healthy city,” she said, adding that her push for these initiatives was to inspire healthier lifestyles in both regions.
But there will be special emphasis on Kuala Lumpur.
“The programmes we have lined up will highlight the city’s vibrant spirit, rich history and pivotal role as a cultural and economic hub in the region.
“These celebrations aim to unite residents and visitors in honouring the city’s legacy while looking towards its future.
“While the Foreign Ministry is secretariat for the Asean Summit, we are part of the main committee and have a crucial role to play, namely in logistics.
“Kuala Lumpur is the gateway to the country; all experiences, whether good or bad, start here.
“We want to make every experience as pleasant and memorable as possible.
“With about 180 programmes planned for this year, we must ensure the city’s infrastructure, protocol roads, and lighting are all in excellent working order.”
Dr Zaliha said part of the preparations involved beautifying the city, including landscaping areas like roundabouts with plants and colourful flowers.
“A significant number of events will take place at locations such as KLCC, Bukit Bintang and tourist attractions like the Saloma Link.
Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad will undergo restoration works as part of the KLCCD masterplan.
“Therefore, we need to ensure the surrounding infrastructure such as roads are free of potholes, streetlights are functional and the landscaping is refreshed.
“I have also requested that the hibiscus, our national flower, take centre stage, with flowering shrubs chosen for their vibrant colours to enhance the area.”
She said KL city was also set to glow with key buildings illuminated in a myriad of colours.
“For this, we have identified iconic landmarks such as KL Tower, PETRONAS Twin Towers and Menara MAIWP in Kampung Baru, as well as hotels and other private establishments that are interested in collaborating with us. We encourage the private sector to partner with us, with costs offset through incentives,” she added.
Additionally, Dr Zaliha revealed plans to collaborate with tourist groups to develop programmes that showcased Kuala Lumpur’s hidden gems and its rich culinary heritage.
Rejuvenating heritage assets
High on her list of priorities is the revitalisation of Kuala Lumpur’s heritage assets, which she insists must be preserved for future generations.
“We have an incredible gift in our historic buildings, but they have been left neglected.
“Through the Kuala Lumpur Creative and Cultural District (KLCCD) masterplan, we are now bringing these historic gems back to life,” said Dr Zaliha.
“I hold regular meetings with Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan to monitor the progress of these restoration efforts.
Dr Zaliha is looking forward to working with local communities where ROL assets are located.
“The Prime Minister is deeply concerned about the condition of these structures, and their restoration is one of our key priorities,” she added.
“Apart from the initial RM20mil allocated under Budget 2025, the government allocated an additional RM600mil.
“This funding will be directed towards restoring Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad and Carcosa Seri Negara, both designated National Heritage sites under National Heritage Act 2005.”
Sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional, through its subsidiary Think City, is managing the restoration project, which includes 10 flagship initiatives (see graphic titled “KLCCD Flagship Projects”).
“These projects represent our commitment to revitalising Kuala Lumpur through transformative developments,” she said.
“From the heritage-rich Dataran Merdeka to modern landmarks like Merdeka 118, as well as eco-friendly projects such as the Green Connection Network, these initiatives aim to enhance public spaces, preserve our history and promote sustainability.
“While we are on track to deliver most of these projects, a few like Tun Abdul Razak Memorial require additional attention to address challenges and ensure timely completion.”
Addressing river issues
Another key initiative Dr Zaliha is focusing on is the billion-ringgit River of Life (ROL)project and its ageing infrastructure. “There are three components to the River of Life: beautification, river cleansing and the developments surrounding the project sites.
“The river cleansing aspect is beyond our control as it falls under the purview of Petra (the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry) and its agencies, such as Drainage and Irrigation Department.
“However, if you look at the entire 10.7km ROL stretch along the Klang and Gombak rivers, the beautification component is 95.6% complete.
“The transformation is evident, and we’ve received multiple awards for our riverfront projects.
“That said, we are aware that some of these assets are deteriorating due to neglect. We aim to address this issue.
“I’ve heard that nearby communities are eager to volunteer and manage these assets.
“It’s a fantastic idea to let them take on this responsibility.”
Dr Zaliha also expressed interest in engaging with local communities, such as those in Brickfields where ROL assets are located.
“We will work with these communities and possibly allocate some funding for their efforts.
“Community engagement is critical in building relationships and ensuring long-term care for these assets.”
Of the RM4.36bil allocated to ROL, RM3.3bil was river cleaning and RM1.06bil for river beautification.
A total of RM3.915bil has been spent so far.
