KL Mayor ordered to fix weaknesses in DBKL contract management

LocalPolitics
3 Feb 2026 • 3:00 PM MYT
The Vibes
The Vibes

Featuring breaking news & latest stories from every side.

image is not available

KUALA Lumpur Mayor Datuk Fadlun Mak Ujud has been instructed to immediately rectify weaknesses and grey areas detected in the management of Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) contracts.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories), Hannah Yeoh said that the improvement measures need to be standardised and implemented clearly to close the gap and opportunities for certain parties, including law enforcement officers, from getting caught up in corrupt practices.

“I have asked the Mayor to expedite action so  the people are clear about the license application process that is being implemented.

“Everything needs to be in black and white, so  people are clear and there is no room for weakness that can lead to different interpretations,” she said.

She said this at a press conference after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between DBKL and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), today.

Also present were MACC Chief Commissioner, Tan Sri Azam Baki and Deputy Chief Commissioner (Prevention), Datuk Azmi Kamaruzaman.

It was earlier reported that the management and monitoring of various DBKL contracts, including the awarding of business licenses, was deemed weak and 'backward', not in line with the development and recognition received by the city of Kuala Lumpur.

These significant and 'hidden' weaknesses are feared to open up space for irregularities and corruption, both among enforcement authorities and stakeholders.

Among the alleged weaknesses include the absence of a monitoring committee for high-value and long-term contracts, especially those awarded to private companies, in addition to the alleged appointment of a well-known company to monitor DBKL business licenses without close monitoring by the local authority itself.

Hannah admitted that she had also reassessed the weaknesses raised and committed to immediately closing the 'grey area' in the management and monitoring of DBKL contracts which had the potential to open up space for corruption.

She also confirmed that the findings of the MACC's governance investigation showed many weaknesses that required immediate reform by DBKL.

“We are grateful that MACC came in to conduct a governance assessment. They assessed the existing standard operating procedures (SOPs) and there are indeed weaknesses that need to be improved.

“Usually when the SOPs are not clear or there are ‘grey areas’, it opens up space for corruption. That is why the improvement suggestions put forward are accurate and need to be implemented immediately,” she said.

Meanwhile, Hannah said she would help strengthen DBKL’s governance through four main steps, including the implementation of more frequent work rotations, especially involving field officers and sensitive positions to reduce the risk of nepotism.

She said procurement management would also be improved through the full implementation of the end-to-end online quotation and tender process to increase transparency and efficiency.

In addition, the use of body-worn cameras by enforcement personnel will be implemented in phases starting in the fourth quarter of 2026 to ensure compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and serve as visual and audio evidence in the event of a dispute or accusation of misconduct.

“The next step is to reassess the risk rating of the Office of the Director of Land and Mines of the Federal Territories (PTGWP) so that MACC officers can be considered for placement in the office’s Integrity Unit,” she said. – February 3, 2026