KUALA LUMPUR City Hall (DBKL) should retain public hearings as part of the approval process for development orders (DOs), says Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, who voiced his concern over the city’s recent move to limit such hearings to select developments only.
The position was shared during the Dialog Bandar Raya Setiawangsa with Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Maimunah Mohd Sharif on 16 August 2025.
DBKL’s new stance stems from the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Planning Regulations 2025, which interpret public hearings as unnecessary for most development orders—citing that the city’s local plans, namely the KL City Plan 2040 (KLCP 2040) and the KL Structure Plan 2040 (KLSP 2040), have already incorporated public input.
However, Nik Nazmi argues that this legal view overlooks a crucial reality: “A local plan, no matter how well-drafted, cannot anticipate every on-the-ground scenario or detail. At best, it provides broad guidelines and maximum thresholds under ideal conditions.”
He cautioned that eliminating public hearings could significantly reduce the public’s ability to voice concerns about developments that affect their daily lives, potentially resulting in less sustainable outcomes.
“The value of public feedback lies not just in principle, but also in practice. Local communities often raise substantive issues such as traffic, flood risks, or heritage considerations—elements that may be overlooked in static planning documents,” he said.
Referring to past controversies, such as those involving Bukit Kiara and ongoing debates on the Urban Renewal Act, Nik Nazmi stressed the need for DBKL to uphold higher standards of accountability and transparency, especially as Kuala Lumpur positions itself as a global city.
“There is a long-standing perception that development in KL disproportionately favours developers. Public hearings help to correct this imbalance,” he said.
Nik Nazmi pointed to other local authorities, such as the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), which have maintained public consultations even without a legal mandate. For example, developers are required to display signboards informing residents of new projects, while town hall-style consultations chaired by local councillors, and attended by elected representatives and developers, are held to gather community feedback.
“These are administrative procedures, but they comply with legal expectations that all relevant factors be considered before approving a development,” he said, adding that DBKL could adopt similar best practices.
He further emphasised that Malaysia’s commitment to international frameworks such as Local Agenda 21 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals requires “fair and inclusive” urban planning.
“To ignore public input at the DO stage undermines this commitment and weakens public trust in the system,” he warned.
Nik Nazmi clarified that this is not a call for unnecessarily complicated or bureaucratic processes that stifle progress. Rather, it is a plea for basic transparency and accountability.
“The public deserves the right to know what is being planned near their homes, access relevant documents, and offer feedback—even if only through simple consultation sessions.”
Without such mechanisms, he noted, residents are left with little recourse but to pursue legal action—a costly and time-consuming process accessible only to a few.
“Public hearings offer a clear, inclusive solution to this dilemma and should be institutionalised as a central pillar of urban governance,” he concluded.
“I once again urge DBKL and the relevant authorities to give serious consideration to this matter as part of our effort to make Kuala Lumpur a truly world-class city.” - August 18, 2025
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