Latest news with #KualaLumpurCityHall
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Foreign hawkers still rampant at KL markets despite ban
KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign workers are still rampant at Pudu Market and Kompleks Pasar Raja Bot, also known as Chow Kit Market, despite repeated warnings from Kuala Lumpur City Hall. A check by the New Straits Times found that nearly half of the stalls at both markets were manned by foreigners, mainly from Bangladesh, Indonesia and Myanmar. A butcher in Chow Kit, who has been trading since 1975, said foreign hawkers managed to operate by renting licences from locals. Speaking on condition of anonymity, he said: "When the authorities come, the foreign hawkers run off and the licence holder takes over the stall to avoid getting caught or fined." It is learnt that some foreigners also sell live chickens and slaughter them on demand, which is a banned practice in the market. The butcher also said locals were often more demanding than foreigners, which contributed to the latter's growing presence. "I once hired a local worker, but he demanded extra pay and accommodation. Before leaving, he stole some money and my motorcycle," he claimed. "Foreigners won't do that, they work purely to earn," he added. At Pudu Market, many foreigners, particularly Bangladeshis, were still seen operating stalls as late as 1pm. A woman, who has worked there since 1995, said the number of foreign traders surged after the Covid-19 pandemic. "In the early 2000s, there were only two or three of them. After the pandemic, they started coming in large numbers," she said, preferring anonymity. She said their presence had affected local hawkers' business, as they drew customers by allegedly selling vegetables at cheaper prices. "They cheat during weighing. After it's done, they remove about 200g of the original amount, and that's not a small quantity," she claimed. Yesterday, Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif said the long-standing ban on foreign hawkers and market traders in the city remained firmly enforced.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
DBKL launches electric bicycle project to ease first- and last-mile connectivity
KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has launched a two-year micromobility sandbox project, deploying 225 electric bicycles in three zones to promote sustainable transport and ease first- and last-mile urban travel. The pilot, supported by the Transport Ministry, will allow only registered operators to provide micromobility services in the city centre, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, and Taman Metropolitan Batu. Officiating the launch at Menara DBKL, Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Maimunah Mohd Sharif said the project puts national and city mobility plans into action. "We've had long-term strategies in place, but this is about moving from planning to action on the ground," she said. Approved vehicles will operate on dedicated bike lanes, including a newly mapped 11km corridor in the city centre and a 3.5km shared-use track in Batu. The initiative aligns with the Kuala Lumpur Traffic Master Plan 2040 and the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2040, which aim for a 70:30 travel mode shift - 70 per cent public or non-motorised transport, and 30 per cent private vehicles. "This sandbox programme is not just a policy testbed. It's also a platform for collaboration under our 4P model: Public, Private, People, and Partnership," she said. Hellobike Sdn Bhd, the appointed operator, will begin full deployment within two weeks. To encourage uptake, the company is offering 15 free rides per month for 1,000 DBKL staff and public rates between RM5 and RM10 per 20 minutes, with promotional packages expected. "For DBKL staff, these free rides serve as encouragement for us to lead by example," said Maimunah. The mayor said that DBKL is working to expand available micromobility options in the city beyond electric bikes, including recruiting operators for electric scooters and other personal mobility devices (PMDs). The project, which runs from Feb 1, 2025, to Jan 31, 2027, will be monitored through phased implementation and regular data collection. Reviews will be conducted every three to six months to evaluate demand, route suitability, and areas for improvement. "If demand is high, we may expand the number of zones or fleet sizes. This project is dynamic and data-driven," she said. Maimunah said safety enforcement would centre on speed limits and geographic restrictions, with coordination from agencies including the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros), the Road Transport Department (RTD), and the police. "Only registered operators can run these services, and only in the approved zones. If users go beyond those limits or break the rules, enforcement action can be taken," she said. DBKL's goal, she added, is to offer safe, affordable, and accessible mobility choices that support a low-carbon lifestyle in the city. "This is part of our Green and Sustainable Flagship initiative. We want to make Kuala Lumpur a liveable and loveable city, one that people not only live in but are proud of."
Malaysiakini
2 days ago
- General
- Malaysiakini
KL Local Plan 2040 to balance between development, heritage: Mayor
The Kuala Lumpur Local Plan 2040 (PTKL 2040) aims to strike a balance between physical development and the preservation of the city's cultural heritage, said Kuala Lumpur mayor Maimunah Sharif. She said the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is working closely with the Department of National Heritage to ensure a dedicated framework is in place to safeguard heritage buildings across the capital.
Barnama
2 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
PTKL2040 Spurs Sustainable Transportation, Transforms Urban Living
GENERAL By Nurhafizah Tan KUALA LUMPUR, July 29 (Bernama) -- Enjoying a more efficient and comfortable living space -- complete with improved infrastructure, sustainable public transport, and a vibrant social environment -- is the future vision outlined by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) under the Kuala Lumpur Local Plan 2040 (PTKL2040). In the next 15 years, city dwellers in the heart of the metropolis can expect a lifestyle where working, commuting, and relaxing all happen within walking distance, thanks to comprehensive urban planning aimed at promoting sustainable and inclusive development. Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Maimunah Mohd Sharif said PTKL2040 is focused on developing an integrated, people-oriented, and efficient public transportation system, making public transit the preferred mode of movement for city residents by 2040. 'This vision is further strengthened by the implementation of the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Concept, which will reshape the character of areas surrounding transit hubs, influencing land use, development intensity, and mobility patterns,' she said. She added that TOD initiatives are designed to ensure seamless access to workplaces, homes, and community facilities while enabling smooth integration across multiple modes of transport. "It also involves the harmonisation of ticketing and payment systems across Light Rail Transit (LRT), Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), buses and alternative transport (such as e-scooters) through a single digital platform, in addition to the creation of multimodal integration hubs in strategic areas," she told Bernama. In line with efforts to promote active mobility, Maimunah said the capital would also be developed as a pedestrian-friendly city with features such as shaded walkways, lighting, and accessibility for wheelchairs and other mobility aids. 'To create a truly walkable city, we will expand Car-Free Zones in the city centre and heritage areas, as well as design areas around TODs with human-scale principles to make foot travel between buildings, parks and stations intuitive and safe,' she added.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- New Straits Times
KLCC pixmen deny fleecing tourists, saying they are not gangsters or conmen
KUALA LUMPUR: Braving the scorching 33°C heat, four men gathered outside the Petronas Twin Towers today to tell their side of the story after a recent operation against them and their "street photographer" friends. Following public complaints and videos of alleged "KLCC photographer gangsters and scammers" going viral, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) yesterday conducted a joint operation dubbed OP Lens with the police and other government departments. Just last night, nearly 30 of them were slapped with RM2,000 fines each for offering their "services" without a permit. But four of them today claimed that they neither accosted visitors and passers-by, nor did they overcharge for their services. "We are not criminals. We're just trying to make a living, why fine us? "We are not causing any trouble to anyone. It's very simple, we approach tourists who want to take pictures with KLCC in the background. "We tell them the price beforehand and if they agree, then only we proceed. Otherwise we go on to the next customer, " said Hussein Siri, 43, in defence of his friends and himself. The father of six from Sabah said he had been taking pictures at KLCC since 2019 and last night was not the first time that he got into trouble with the authorities. "Times are hard and yet this happens. People think we make a lot of money, but that's not true. We earn just to break even. Even this Iphone 16, which I bought under installment, the camera stand, power banks and extras, all cost money," he said. He claimed that the gadgets he held were worth about RM8,000. Contrary to claims that tourists were overcharged – some allegedly quoting as high as RM30 per photo – N. Parameswaran, 48, insisted that such allegations were not true. "Our rates are all standardised and reasonable. RM5 for locals and RM10 for tourists – not RM30 or anything more. RM10 is for one photo. If they want all the pictures, then of course the price changes, but we always explain and negotiate," he said while wiping sweat from his brow as the midday sun beat down. Speaking about last night's operation, Parameswaran said he did not understand why the photographers were fined when a video of one altercation that went viral, which according to him, occurred between two tourists who wanted to take photos at the same time. "It had nothing to do with any of us, yet just because the video went viral, the authorities came after us. We do a good job taking good photos of the visitors and that is why some choose to hire us, but that's what many people don't understand," he said, adding that they had a few trade secrets for camera settings to make their shots nicer. Another photographer, Mustafa Ali, 30, also from Sabah, said he was plying his trade for survival. "On good days, I make RM100 to RM150. On bad days, just RM50 or even less. That's barely enough for food and bills," he said, condemning the operation against his colleagues and friends. Mustafa said he migrated here after losing his job in Sabah during the pandemic. Muhd Fauzi Omar, 26, a father of three, said most customers initially wanted one or two photos only, but sometimes, after seeing all the shots, they wanted more. "We normally take 10 to 12 pictures so they can choose. If they want it all, then of course it's not RM10 anymore. But even then, we negotiate, make it fair. No forcing. We're not scammers. "A real scammer would have disappeared. But we stay because we know we are not doing wrong," he said. Fauzi said the recent viral video showing an altercation had nothing to do with them. "It was two tourists arguing among themselves. But some content creators twisted it for likes and shares. Because of that, we got blamed. Suddenly, we're all criminals," he said.
