Latest news with #CityDialogue
The Star
29-06-2025
- The Star
KL residents concerned about traders blocking walkways
TRADERS blocking walkways was among the concerns raised during Kuala Lumpur's 'Dialog Bandar Raya' (City Dialogue). The session, held for the Bukit Bintang parliamentary constituency, marked the second in a series of 11 dialogues scheduled by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) this year to engage communities and address urban challenges across the city. Bukit Bintang Federal Territory Residents Representative Council (MPPWP) sub-zone 4 chairman Cynthia Hor brought up the proliferation of roadside traders in Brickfields. She said the traders operating on public walkways hindered accessibility for pedestrians. 'We have brought this up with DBKL many times in the past, but it has only reorganised traders. 'These traders should be relocated and the walkways left free for pedestrians,' Hor said. DBKL executive director Ismadi Sakirin (Socio-economic Development), who moderated the session, responded that the issue of roadside stalls was a long-standing and complex one. Ismadi (right) moderating the second Dialog Bandar Raya at Perpustakaan Kuala Lumpur. Also present were Fong (left) and DBKL heads of department. While DBKL had undertaken several efforts to reorganise and regulate such traders, he said, enforcement alone was not a sustainable solution. 'We are also looking at long-term strategies, including identifying suitable trading zones and improving enforcement coordination.' Jalan Alor Hawkers and Traders Association secretary Simon Ang called on DBKL to address the issue of pickpockets operating along the road. He said business owners had observed a rise in pickpocketing since the nightly road closure began in 2023. 'We have raised this matter several times with the police, but nothing concrete has been done,' he said, adding that it was affecting visitor confidence and tarnishing the reputation of the popular tourist food street. Ang also voiced concern about beggars in the area, saying they often approached diners. In response, Ismadi said inter-agency solutions needed to be discussed and coordinated. 'Some of the issues raised here require further investigations by relevant departments. 'Feedback to residents will be given in two weeks.' Several participants also raised concerns over the lack of parking in their neighbourhoods, urging DBKL to propose viable solutions. Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun, who also attended the session, said the dialogue provided a valuable platform for the public to voice their concerns and suggestions directly to DBKL. 'As an MP, I constantly receive feedback from constituents, whether through social media, my service centre or face-to-face.' Fong said while such dialogues were important, they should not be merely symbolic. 'Each suggestion must be properly recorded, evaluated and the findings communicated back to the community.' About 250 people attended the event held at Perpustakaan Kuala Lumpur. The next sessions will be held on July 12 for Lembah Pantai constituents at Pusat Komuniti Bukit Bandaraya and on July 26 for Titiwangsa constituents at Dewan Perdana, Keramat Mall.
The Star
16-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
KL town hall session highlights stalled urban renewal projects
Maimunah (front row, eight from left) with Azman (on the mayor's left) and attendees at the 'Dialog Bandar Raya' town hall session at Bandar Tun Razak Sports Complex. DELAYS in urban renewal projects and the urgent need for more community involvement took centre stage at Kuala Lumpur's 'Dialog Bandar Raya' (City Dialogue) 2025. The town hall, the first of 11 scheduled across the city this year, aims to forge stronger ties between Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and its residents. Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif, who led the session, assured the public that their concerns would not only be heard but acted upon. 'We are here to understand and act,' she emphasised, signalling a commitment to channel feedback directly to her team and department heads for prompt follow-up. 'There will be action,' she said after hearing feedback from residents in the Bandar Tun Razak parliamentary constituency. 'Some can be resolved quickly, others will require inter-agency coordination, but we are not here to just hear – we are here to understand and act.' The event was held at Bandar Tun Razak Sports Complex with top City Hall officials and agencies as well as about 100 residents in attendance. It also drew participation from resident associations, residents representative council (MPP) sub-zone leaders and community non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Many used the platform to raise long-standing concerns. A recurring issue was the delay in urban renewal projects. A representative from Sri Labuan said over 200 residents were still living in ageing flats with limited facilities. 'We are still there. We are not asking for much – just asking DBKL to check in on us,' he said. MPP Sub-Zone 1 chairman Hanafiyah Mahamin raised concerns about the redevelopment of Taman Ikan Emas. He said the project had proceeded without involving key local representatives. 'The redevelopment of Taman Ikan Emas affects the entire Sub-Zone 1 area. But so far, all discussions have only involved DBKL and NGOs; the MPP and the MP's office were not included,' said Hanafiyah. 'When residents come to us with complaints, we don't know how to respond.' Representing Bandar Tun Razak MP Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail was Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's political secretary Datuk Azman Abidin. Azman acknowledged that redevelopment plans for areas such as Sri Pulau Pinang, Sri Johor and Sri Melaka had been stalled for over 15 years. The mayor said DBKL was in the midst of forming a dedicated task force to support its urban renewal division. She said the agency would also prioritise community involvement in the process. Concerns about enforcement against unlicensed businesses were also raised. In response, Maimunah assured continued joint enforcement operations involving multiple government departments. Several stakeholders also raised traffic congestion and infrastructure planning issues during the dialogue. To this, Maimunah said DBKL's engineering and planning teams would review the issues and provide status updates to her office within a week. Some MPP leaders said there was lack of communication between DBKL and community representatives, particularly on developer-led projects. The mayor acknowledged the concern and said all DBKL-led initiatives – whether small infrastructure projects or major redevelopments – must include a strategic communications component. 'Even if the project is small, we must explain who is doing it, how long it takes and what it is for. 'We can't just enter a community without informing people.'
