Freelance photographers near KL twin towers facing backlash for harassment
Social media has been abuzz with complaints from disgruntled tourists who felt duped.
Freelance photographers around the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) area are facing criticism for harassing tourists and overcharging unsuspecting visitors for unsolicited photo services.
According to Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), some individuals have turned walkways and even parts of the road into makeshift studios, putting themselves, tourists, and the public at risk.
'These rogue photographers obstruct public movement and pose safety risks, especially when they operate on the roads,' DBKL said in a statement.
It added that repeat offenders risk having their equipment confiscated.
In response to growing complaints of harassment, safety risks, and illegal business activities, DBKL launched Ops Lens, a joint operation with the police, immigration, and federal agencies.
The exercise, focused around the KLCC vicinity, resulted in 41 compounds being issued to unlicensed photographers on July 27 .
Social media has been abuzz with complaints from disgruntled tourists who felt duped. What starts as a friendly offer for a cheap souvenir often escalates into confrontation.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Asia Thailand, Cambodia agree to 'immediate and unconditional ceasefire' to de-escalate border row
Singapore Tanjong Katong sinkhole backfilled; road to be repaved after LTA tests
Singapore Ong Beng Seng set to plead guilty on Aug 4 in case linked to ex-transport minister Iswaran
Asia Gunman kills 5 security guards near Bangkok's Chatuchak market before taking own life
Singapore COE quota up 2.6% to 18,701 for August to October
Business Resilient economy versus uncertain outlook splits views on Singapore's monetary policy
Singapore HPB looking for vaping, smoking counselling services for up to 175 secondary school students
Singapore Jail for former pre-school teacher who tripped toddler repeatedly, causing child to bleed from nose
KLCC is often referred to as the Petronas Twin Towers. KLCC actually refers to the area where the towers are located, and the name has become synonymous with the towers themselves. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
2 minutes ago
- Straits Times
New Mexico judge dismisses Alec Baldwin's 'malicious' prosecution suit in 'Rust' case
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: US actor Alec Baldwin attends his trial for involuntary manslaughter at Santa Fe County District Court in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on July 12, 2024. In October 2021, on the New Mexico set of the Western movie \"Rust,\" a gun pointed by Baldwin discharged a live round, killing the film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounding its director. RAMSAY DE GIVE/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo A New Mexico judge has tossed out a misconduct lawsuit filed by actor Alec Baldwin against local prosecutors and sheriff's officials over their pursuit of criminal charges against him for the fatal 2021 shooting on the set of the Western movie "Rust." Judge Casey Fitch dismissed Baldwin's complaint on Tuesday for lack of "significant action" in the case over the past 180 days. The one-page order, made public on Wednesday, allows any party in the lawsuit to seek reinstatement within 30 days. Baldwin sued special prosecutor Kari Morrissey, District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies, Santa Fe County law enforcement investigators and other public officials in January, accusing them of malicious abuse of process, defamation and mishandling of evidence. The lawsuit said the prosecutors and others had conspired to manufacture a criminal case against Baldwin for political and personal gain when they charged him with manslaughter in the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Baldwin's lawyer did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment on the dismissal of the suit. The civil suit followed the abrupt dismissal of Baldwin's criminal case in July 2024 during his trial in the New Mexico capital. The trial judge ruled then that the special prosecutor and sheriff's office had deliberately withheld evidence from Baldwin on the source of a live round that killed Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Trump says US will set 15% tariff on South Korean imports under new deal Business US Fed holds rates steady despite Trump's pressure, with two governors dissenting Multimedia 60 years, 60 items: A National Day game challenge Singapore $10 million Toto results to be announced on July 31, after no winners in last 3 draws World Canada to recognise Palestinian state at UN General Assembly: Carney Sport Ainslee Kwang, 14, becomes first Singaporean diver to qualify for World Aquatics C'ships semi-finals Multimedia Firefly-inspired light show at Gardens By The Bay's Supertree Grove Singapore Escape, discover, connect: Where new memories are made Hutchins' death, Hollywood's first on-set fatal shooting in nearly 30 years, shocked the movie industry and sparked calls for an overhaul of firearms safety on movie productions. Morrissey has said prosecutors had long known the actor would file a retaliatory civil lawsuit. The Ukrainian-born cinematographer died when Baldwin pointed a pistol at her while rehearsing, cocked the weapon and possibly pulled the trigger as they set up a camera shot on a movie set near Santa Fe, his lawyers said. The gun, a reproduction 1873 single-action army revolver, fired a live round inadvertently loaded by Hannah Gutierrez, the movie's weapons handler. Gutierrez was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in March and sentenced to 18 months in jail. Baldwin, also a "Rust" producer, has always said live rounds should not have been allowed on set and he was not responsible for weapons safety. REUTERS
Straits Times
2 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Driver in 2024 Tampines crash that killed 2 set to plead guilty in October
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox SINGAPORE - The man who allegedly caused a six-vehicle crash that killed two people, including a Temasek Junior College student , is set to plead guilty on Oct 23. The date for Muhammad Syafie Ismail, 44, to admit to his charges was set after a pre-trial conference on July 31. This is the first time Syafie has had a date set to plead guilty since he was first handed charges more than a year ago, in April 2024. He first appeared in court on April 25, 2024, and was charged with dangerous driving causing death, dangerous driving causing hurt and dangerous driving. He was also charged with failing to stop after an accident. In June 2025, he was handed another dangerous driving charge. The fatal accident happened on April 22, 2024. According to charge sheets, Syafie allegedly failed to stop at the red traffic light, which resulted in his car colliding with two cars before surging forward to crash into another car. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Trump says US will set 15% tariff on South Korean imports under new deal Business US Fed holds rates steady despite Trump's pressure, with two governors dissenting Multimedia 60 years, 60 items: A National Day game challenge Singapore $10 million Toto results to be announced on July 31, after no winners in last 3 draws World Canada to recognise Palestinian state at UN General Assembly: Carney Sport Ainslee Kwang, 14, becomes first Singaporean diver to qualify for World Aquatics C'ships semi-finals Multimedia Firefly-inspired light show at Gardens By The Bay's Supertree Grove Singapore Escape, discover, connect: Where new memories are made Meanwhile, the first car Syafie crashed into spun before overturning, and this caused it to collide with a van. The van then collided with a minibus. The impacts allegedly caused the deaths of Madam Norzihan Juwahib, 57, and Afifah Munirah Muhammad Azril, 17. Charge sheets also stated that Syafie's driving allegedly injured six others, including two 11-year-old boys. Those convicted of dangerous driving causing death can be jailed between two and eight years, and be disqualified from driving. The offence of dangerous driving causing hurt carries a penalty of up to two years' jail, a fine of up to $10,000, or both.
Straits Times
2 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Nicaragua investigates long-time Ortega ally, former Sandinista leader
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Nicaraguan authorities said on Wednesday they were investigating Bayardo Arce, a long-time ally and economic adviser to President Daniel Ortega, and who was also one of the nine Sandinista commanders that governed the Central American nation in the 1980s. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT Arce had been the last of the Sandinista generals to back Ortega, who has increasingly been cracking down on dissidents and isolating from global diplomacy. Local media reported Arce had been placed under house arrest, making him the third former military leader to face such treatment under Ortega's administration. Henry Ruiz remains under house arrest, reports say, while Ortega's brother Humberto died last year at home. KEY QUOTE Nicaragua's attorney general's office said the investigation into Arce was regarding "possible irregularities in transactions involving assets, properties and companies that could affect the national patrimony." Arce had been summoned twice, but "has not agreed to present himself properly to this day," the office added in a statement. CONTEXT Ortega now holds a "co-presidency" with his wife, Rosario Murillo. El Pais reported, citing sources, that Murillo had likely ordered the measures against Arce as she viewed the party's long-time cadres as obstacles to consolidating her succession to power. WHAT'S NEXT It is unclear what the alleged irregularities in transactions by Arce would be and how his case would proceed if he were to go in for questioning. His assistant, Ricardo Bonilla, is detained and under questioning by police, the attorney general's office said. THE RESPONSE Murillo did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Arce was not immediately available for comment. REUTERS
