THE time has come for Kuala Lumpur to implement democratic reforms in its urban governance, including the introduction of local government elections, in line with recommendations from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), said Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
Speaking on behalf of the Kuala Lumpur chapter of the Government Backbenchers Club (BBC), Nik Nazmi said the PAC’s recent findings on land sales and development irregularities in the capital highlight the urgent need for greater accountability and institutional oversight.
“The Mayor of Kuala Lumpur wields far greater powers than local government heads in other states. Currently, the city is advised only by an Advisory Board, without any functioning checks and balances,” he said during a press conference in Parliament on Tuesday.
“PAC has recommended the appointment of council members as practised in other states. We, as government MPs, believe early discussions should begin on introducing local council elections in Kuala Lumpur.”
Nik Nazmi, who previously served as Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister, said the proposal is consistent with the reform pledges in Pakatan Harapan’s election manifesto, which aims to strengthen democratic governance in the federal capital.
“As the nation’s capital with a budget exceeding RM3 billion, the residents of Kuala Lumpur deserve a voice in how the city is administered,” he said. “With greater public involvement, issues like the sale of retention ponds and the uncontrolled release of green zones could have been avoided. The city needs to be governed in a more transparent, inclusive, and citizen-focused manner.”
Nik Nazmi was joined by fellow MPs Zahir Hassan (Wangsa Maju), Fong Kui Lun (Bukit Bintang), and Teresa Kok (Seputeh) in calling for the reforms.
On Monday, the PAC released a report flagging irregularities in nine proceedings involving land sales and developments approved by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), some of which were found to have resulted in unchecked urban expansion.
PAC Chair Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin concluded that the existing Advisory Board’s role is limited under the Federal Capital Act 1960 and lacks decision-making authority, unlike state-level local councils composed of appointed members.
The PAC has therefore urged the government to review and amend laws governing land development in the capital, including the Federal Capital Act 1960 and the Town and Country Planning Act 1976, to allow for the appointment of DBKL councillors and establish a formal system of checks and balances. - August 26, 2025
