Lack of transparency, accountability in DBKL’s budgetary process

THIS letter adds to the public discussion sparked by The Star’s report on Dec 22, 2025, “Silence over DBKL’s 2026 budget raises concerns”, and the Kuala Lumpur Residents Action for Sustainable Development Association’s (KLRA+SD) press statement issued the same day. Both highlighted a troubling lack of transparency, continuity, and public accountability in Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) 2026 budgetary process – concerns that point to deeper structural weaknesses in how the city plans and governs public spending.

This raises a fundamental governance question: how can Kuala Lumpur claim to be a liveable, inclusive city when its most important policy instrument – the city budget – is prepared with minimal transparency and no meaningful public participation?