MEMBERS of Parliament representing Kuala Lumpur constituencies have tabled a Private Member’s Bill to amend the Federal Capital Act 1960, aiming to reform the governance of the city.
The move would implement recommendations made by the bipartisan Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in August 2025, transferring certain powers from the Mayor—currently appointed by the federal government—to an elected council system, in line with practices under the Local Government Act 1976 across other Malaysian municipalities.
The MPs emphasised that their priority is to protect and enhance the rights and well-being of Kuala Lumpur residents.
“Our aim is to ensure that all Malaysians have representation that is trustworthy, inclusive, and reflective of the people’s interests, not just developers,” they said, recalling that ten of the eleven Kuala Lumpur MPs were elected on a manifesto promising such reforms.
Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has attained high-income status, with an allocated expenditure of RM2.835 billion for 2025.
Although this is slightly lower than Selangor’s budget, it surpasses that of Johor. Currently, all financial powers rest with the Mayor, who is usually a civil servant, with limited checks from the Advisory Board and the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department responsible for the Federal Territories.
The proposed bill seeks to introduce a council system in which the Mayor plays an important yet equal role alongside councillors nominated by Kuala Lumpur MPs.
“We believe that if this Bill is passed, it will fulfil the part of the Pakatan Harapan manifesto committed to empowering democracy and transparency in DBKL through systematic measures,” the MPs stated.
They also highlighted that the reform ensures residents’ voices are represented even if a majority of MPs do not align with the federal government, referencing the political periods of 2008–2018 and 2020–2022.
The MPs cited recent public controversies affecting urban areas across Kuala Lumpur as underscoring the urgency of reform. They maintained that no major changes to the Federal Capital Act 1960 are proposed beyond the introduction of the council system.
The Private Member’s Bill is expected to be examined by both the federal government and Parliament as part of ongoing efforts to enhance accountability and transparency in the administration of the capital.
The MPs who attended a press conference in Parliament today were Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, MP for Setiawangsa, Teresa Kok Suh Sim, MP for Seputeh, Ir. Ts. Zahir Hassan, MP for Wangsa Maju, Tan Kok Wai, MP for Cheras, Lim Lip Eng, MP for Kepong, Prabakaran A/L M. Parameswaran, MP for Batu, and Fong Kui Lun, MP for Bukit Bintang, are listed as sponsors of the bill. - November 20, 2025
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