DBKL invested heavily in system upgrades in recent years. — File photos
AS THE capital city enters 2026, MPs are calling for long-overdue governance reforms at Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), warning that poor oversight has triggered rampant overdevelopment and eroded public trust.
The lawmakers’ wishlist for the year includes stricter enforcement of the gazetted Kuala Lumpur Structure and Local Plans, protection of flood retention ponds and greater accountability in DBKL’s decision-making process.
Wangsa Maju MP Zahir Hassan is asking about the necessity of a RM42mil contract to a company to operate and maintain a smart traffic light system.
While acknowledging the importance of technological improvements, Zahir claims there was lack of information on the deal.
He further questioned why DBKL needed to have the smart traffic light system after awarding a deal for 5,000 artificial intelligence-powered closed- circuit TV (CCTV) cameras for the city in 2024.
Zahir said initially, there were about 900 CCTV cameras in the city, many of which were low quality.
“These have since been upgraded to more than 2,000 high-resolution cameras with facial recognition,” he said, adding that monitoring stations had also been upgraded.
“With the system already upgraded, what exactly is DBKL trying to achieve?
“There has been no explanation or public announcement on why this upgrade is necessary,” added Zahir.
Improved governance is vital to safeguarding public spaces, such as the Kampung Bohol flood retention pond.
ITMax System Bhd, a specialist in public space networked systems, which was awarded the RM42mil contract, was previously given a RM539mil contract by DBKL for the 5,000 CCTVs.
Last month, it said in a Bursa Malaysia filing that it had received a letter of acceptance from DBKL to operate and maintain a smart traffic light system for three years.
In a statement, its managing director and chief executive officer William Tan Wei Lun said the contract reflected DBKL’s confidence in the company and its technology.
Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng suggested that DBKL make public the details of the smart traffic lights contract.
“DBKL should announce it openly. Why is there no information on it at all?”
Lim intends to raise the matter during his next meeting with Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh.
MPs are also pushing for elected representatives to sit on key DBKL committees until local council elections are restored.
Lim said his main focus for 2026 was governance reform.
“Until local council elections are implemented, DBKL should allow MPs or their representatives to sit on key committees with real decision-making powers,” he said.
He added that this would improve accountability and ensure DBKL served the people.
“We should be sitting on committees related to housing, new projects, roads and land matters, as these involve taxpayer funds,” he added.
Similarly, Seputeh MP Teresa Kok said improved governance was vital to safeguarding public spaces, citing the controversial Kampung Bohol flood retention pond as a “cautionary tale”.
“My wish for this year is to see the government buy back the Bohol pond land and restore it to its original state,” she said, adding that this was achievable.
Kok noted that the government had previously bought back the Taman Desa pond land that was sold to a developer, once authorities realised the pond was critical to the operation of the Stormwater Management And Road Tunnel (SMART).
She added that tighter parliamentary oversight of land alienation, amendments to outdated planning laws and full public access to development data were among key reforms that must be implemented this year.
Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai warned that overdevelopment, particularly in his constituency reached breaking point with green spaces rapidly vanishing.
“Some past land deals cannot be undone, but in 2026, we must have stronger oversight to ensure the same mistakes are not repeated.
“There must also be greater transparency in DBKL’s finances.
“The delay in tabling DBKL’s budget raises questions, and residents have a right to know how public funds are being spent,” he said.
More photos
Kok wants government to buy back and restore Bohol pond land.
Kok Wai says Cheras overdevelopment has reached breaking point.
Lim says his main focus for 2026 is governance reform.
Zahir calls for clarity over a recent contract awarded by DBKL.
