Latest news with #DBKL
The Star
3 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Fahmi working to secure temporary housing for Pantai Dalam PPR fire victims
KUALA LUMPUR: Lembah Pantai MP Datuk Fahmi Fadzil is working to secure temporary housing for victims of a recent fire at the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) owned People's Housing Project. The Communications Minister said the matter was discussed with Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa and Kuala Lumpur mayor, Datuk Seri Dr Maimunah Mohd Sharif on Saturday (Aug 9). "There are 14 families currently at the relief centre. Several other families have chosen to stay with their relatives. We are waiting for the relocation… at least there are more comfortable places for them. "I have yet to receive the latest information but for families with schoolgoing children, we have worked with the Social Welfare Department, the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council to ensure they have equipment, uniforms and such," he told the media after attending the Daughter of Penang, Daughter of Palestine programme at the Chow Kit Hotel here Monday (Aug 11), which was also attended by Human Resources Minister Steven Sim. Fourteen squatter houses and four shop premises were destroyed in the fire that occurred on the night of Aug 8 and the victims are currently housed at the relief centre at SRA Al-Khawarizmi. - Bernama
The Star
5 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
‘Open-air dining experience part of KL Chinatown's charm'
Pedestrians are often forced to walk on the road as pavement space is taken up by tables and chairs for alfresco dining. — Photos: CHAN TAK KONG and AZLINA ABDULLAH /The Star Many food and beverage operators in tourist spots like Jalan Petaling and Jalan Sultan regard Kuala Lumpur City Hall's (DBKL) enforcement operations as part of the cost of doing business. 'After the Covid-19 pandemic, we saw a brief business boom. But once old tenancy agreements expired, many faced rent hikes of nearly 70%,' said Kuala Lumpur Hawkers and Petty Traders Association member Melvin Chan. Ang: Use of public walkways for dining has long been a part of Chinatown's landscape. 'Those who remain have to work harder just to stay afloat,' he said to explain why operators often place tables and chairs along crowded corridors and five-foot ways. 'This is not always out of defiance, but sheer necessity,' he added. With rental soaring and tourists expecting street-side dining, operators say they are doing what it takes to survive. 'Many old operators, some who have been here for 50 years, have left because they simply cannot afford the rent anymore,' said Chan. Chan: High rental driving Chinatown operators to spill out onto public walkways. A fourth-generation member of the family behind the iconic Fung Wong Biscuits, which has called Chinatown home since 1909, Chan has seen the neighbourhood's rental landscape change dramatically. 'We currently pay RM17,000 in rent, which is considered low, only because we are members of the traders association. 'Without that, the same shoplot would easily go for around RM35,000,' he said. Some shoplots can now cost up to RM45,000 a month to rent, forcing operators to either leave or extend their business onto public walkways. 'Before year 2000, rent was as low as RM800. Then it jumped to RM8,000. 'Today, some shoplots go for RM35,000 to RM45,000. Many old-timers simply couldn't keep up,' Chan said. Association chairman Datuk Seri Ang Say Tee said using public walkways had long been a part of the Chinatown dining experience. 'It is nothing new; it has just become crazier lately because operators are under pressure to maximise profits and tend to overlook safety. 'But alfresco dining is part of the culture here; it is what tourists come for,' he said. Ang believes in better regulation, not a blanket ban. 'We just need to control the numbers,' he said, suggesting a model like Jalan Alor, where DBKL closed one lane to accommodate outdoor dining. 'If a road has two lanes, close one, but make sure each operator only gets a fixed number of permits,'' he added. Asked about a permanent DBKL or police presence, Ang disagreed. 'Having enforcement officers walking around all the time might make tourists uncomfortable and traders nervous,' he said. He estimates 70% of Chinatown's visitors are foreign tourists, about 20% from China. 'They love dining alfresco under the night sky. 'They prefer it to big, posh restaurants. That is the charm of Chinatown,' he said. Both Ang and Chan said they hoped to meet the Kuala Lumpur mayor soon to discuss closing parts of the road to traffic after 6pm, similar to Jalan Alor, to better manage crowds while preserving the area's unique dining culture.
The Star
a day ago
- Lifestyle
- The Star
Merdeka Fun Run celebrates cultural unity in style
KUALA LUMPUR: Hundreds turned up in traditional wear at the KL-Car Free Morning yesterday, injecting vibrant colours and bringing much fanfare to the normally busy Jalan Raja Laut. Participants arrived to take part in the Merdeka Fun Run 2025 held in conjunction with the celebration of the 68th National Day. Organised by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), the event also featured a cultural parade with Asean delegates. Mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif said besides encouraging a healthy lifestyle, the programme was also aimed at showcasing unity and cultural diversity in Malaysia and South-East Asia. 'Seeing people of all backgrounds come together is a reminder of the significance of urban areas, which is to serve as a shared space for communities. 'Dressed in various traditional wear such as baju kurung, kebaya and batik, the parade underscores our diversity which is a cause for celebration,' she said. Accompanied by representatives and diplomats from various embassies, she flagged off the participants at around 7am before taking a group stroll to a nearby shopping centre. The event was made merrier by various cultural performances by the DBKL Culture, Arts and Sports Department. DBKL said the programme was a prelude to three Asean-related dialogues slated to take place from Aug 12 to 14. The KL Car-Free Morning initiative takes place every Sunday, from 7am to 9am.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
DBKL mulls gazetted sites for rallies in KL
KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is open to gazetting specific locations in the city centre for the holding of peaceful assemblies and demonstrations in the future. Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Maimunah Mohd Sharif said the proposal was being considered as the capital is often chosen as the venue for such events. However, she said the designated sites must first be discussed in detail with the top management of the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories). "We need to have comprehensive discussions (on gazetting designated locations for peaceful assemblies and demonstrations) as DBKL falls under the (jurisdiction of the) Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories). "This matter will be brought up for further deliberation, and details of the location will be announced later," she said at a press conference after officiating the Asean Cultural Parade @ Kuala Lumpur Car Free Morning (KLCFM) here today. Yesterday, thousands gathered at Dataran Merdeka here to show solidarity with the Palestinian people through the Malaysia Bangkit for Gaza Assembly. On July 26, the opposition-led rally organised by Pas was also held at Dataran Merdeka, drawing an estimated 18,000 participants, according to the authorities. The event drew controversy after 20 tonnes of rubbish were reportedly left behind by participants, based on figures from the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp). Maimunah added that DBKL is also prepared to work with relevant parties to draft specific standard operating procedures (SOP) for peaceful assemblies and demonstrations in the capital. "I see that all gatherings already have existing SOPs, such as those related to safety. "This includes SOPs for booking event venues. "However, there is no specific SOP for peaceful assemblies (as of now), and this proposal may also be brought to higher-level discussions," she said. Separately, Maimunah said the KLCFM also marked the start of a series of key Asean-level conferences taking place in the capital this week, involving delegates from across the region. Among these, she said, is the Asean Sustainable Urbanisation Forum, which serves as a platform for city representatives to share experiences in smart technology adoption, green development, low-carbon solutions, and efficient resource management. She said the Asean Governors Mayors Forum will also gather governors and mayors from Asean member states. "These conferences aim to strengthen cooperation between cities through discussions on fair, inclusive, and responsive approaches to climate change and community needs. "The Meeting of Governors and Mayors of Asean Capitals will serve as an official gathering of capital city leaders in the region to discuss shared issues such as waste management, housing, public mobility, public health, and contributions to achieving development goals by 2045. "The combination of these three programmes cements Kuala Lumpur's position as a leading city actively driving development cooperation with a vision of being greener, more open, and ready to face future challenges," she said.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- General
- New Straits Times
Zaliha: KL mayor reviewing proposal to place Pantai Dalam fire victims in PPR
KUALA LUMPUR: The mayor will review a proposal to place Pantai Dalam fire victims in People's Housing Project (PPR) units, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa. She said Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) would assess the eligibility of the victims as the fire affected both Malaysians and foreigners. "More than 50 people from 13 families, including locals and foreigners, were affected when a blaze destroyed 14 houses and several business premises. "The victims are now housed at a religious school, but will be moved to a community centre when the new school term begins. "We will look into whether they qualify for temporary housing under DBKL's management. "I have asked the mayor to examine this matter. We will help them as best we can," she said after chairing the first session of the 35th term (2025–2026) of the Federal Territories-level National Youth Consultative Council. Previously, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil announced that long-term assistance would be studied before a coordinated plan was implemented, with DBKL set to meet affected families in the coming days. Zaliha said immediate relief, including basic necessities and compassionate payments, had been provided to the fire victims. "For now, we can only extend initial support in the form of essential supplies and financial aid. "We have received feedback from the victims, who expressed their gratitude to the Fire and Rescue Department, DBKL and the school for their swift action, which brought them comfort." On Friday, a fire broke out at a row of shoplots in Pantai Dalam, near Apartment Pantai Indah. Thick black smoke and flames could be seen billowing from the premises. The Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department confirmed that 14 squatter homes and four shoplots were damaged in the blaze. The department received an emergency call at 11.11pm and despatched 36 firefighters from the Pantai, Hang Tuah, Seputeh and Sri Hartamas fire stations.
