At twilight in Kuala Lumpur, under the shimmering lights of the Petronas Twin Towers (KLCC), tourists line up for the classic skyline shot. Cameras click. Voices chatter in Malay, English, Mandarin, Arabic. Then a man approach offers a “free photo,” lights up a phone, asks for RM10 per shot. A friendly service? Maybe. For many, this “mobile-grapher” encounter has become painful. Stories of hidden fees, harassing tourists, and chaotic crowds are now so common that the city finally fires back.
Earlier this month, KL Strike Force together with Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL), Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) and Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara (JPN) launched a wide-ranging operation at KLCC and the nearby Saloma Link. They confiscated 23 sets of photography equipment belonging to unlicensed “street photographers” and slapped 23 compound notices under the Federal Territory hawker-licensing by-law. (DBKL)
The message was loud and clear. No more “ulat gambar” without permit.
But this crackdown reveals more than a tidy public space. It pulls at delicate threads of tourism, livelihood, public order and national image.
Growing Ghosts at a Tourist Magnet
The term “ulat gambar” once sounded like harmless slang. But for many at KLCC, it now carries sting. In recent years, these mobile photographers proliferated, especially after sunset. Their presence ballooned as mobile cameras and social-media-ready tourists increased.
Local media recounted multiple incidents where tourists ended up paying more than they anticipated. In 2023, one visitor claimed she was charged RM110 for a handful of photos after an initial offer of RM10 only to be pressured into more payments. (Sinar Harian)
By mid-2025 complaints rose sharply. Some visitors alleged the photographers refused to let them use their own phones, others said they felt pressured or even scammed. A viral video showed a foreign tourist scolding a photographer for refusing to let her snap pictures with her own device. (BuzzKini)
The complaints were not only about unfair price. Many local Kuala Lumpur residents found the situation uncomfortable. Overcrowded sidewalks, crowded walkways, pushy photographers staring through their lenses all contributed to what they saw as a degradation of KLCC’s once-serene ambiance. (Sinar Harian)
Public image also took a hit. On social media, users criticised the “pixmen” culture as unprofessional as if KLCC was being “conquered” by informal touts charging tourists in towering landmark. (Kosmo Digital)
What They Did and Why It Matters
On 22 November 2025, DBKL announced that its enforcement arm, KL Strike Force, had acted. In a coordinated raid with PDRM and JPN at KLCC and Saloma Link, they seized 23 cameras and equipment sets from “mobile-grapher” individuals. They also penalised an unlicensed mobile drink vendor found operating nearby. (DBKL)
The move was swift. Notices were served under UUK 3(1) of the Federal Territory Licensing By-Law 2016, which regulates street hawkers and vendors. Each offence carries a compound, potentially up to RM2,000. (Harian Metro)
Officials justified the operation as necessary to restore order, guarantee public safety and prevent harassment or crowding in high-traffic tourist zones. Presence of PDRM and JPN allowed identity verification and legal compliance checks. (DBKL)
Local dwellers and frequent KLCC visitors greeted news of the crackdown with relief. Many said the area had become chaotic at night, with crowded plazas, loud haggling, and pushy behaviour from photographers. (Sinar Harian)
But for those photographers now penalised, it meant sudden loss of income. Some say they’ve worked in the area for years, since 2008. One told reporters he only knew how to shoot photos and earns little other work. (Harian Metro)
He questioned what else he could do if hit again. “If we get fined every day, my head will go bald,” he said. (BuzzKini)
Between Tourist Trap and Economic Reality
This issue illustrates a larger tension in cities worldwide. High-traffic tourist spots attract informal economies street vendors, photographers, service providers offering convenience to visitors. While many provide harmless services, some edge into exploitation or nuisance.
In KL’s case, the tourism magnet of KLCC draws a mix of international travellers and locals. For some foreign visitors, a nighttime photo under the towers is a must-have memory. The “mobilegrapher” promises a quick, lit-up snapshot. For some photographers, it’s a survival job. Some say they charge RM5 per photo for locals, RM10 for tourists. (Harian Metro)
But the informality, lack of regulation, and aggressive behaviour by some pushing for more payment after clicking photos turns a convenience into a burden. Overcharging, harassment, and chaotic crowds made KLCC less appealing for other visitors.
From a governance standpoint, unregulated services in public space pose safety, order and image concerns. Overcrowding, harassment, even scams these can mar Malaysia’s tourism appeal. By acting, authorities send a message: public spaces belong to everyone, not informal profiteers.
Yet, there’s a human cost. Some of those penalised rely on this work to support families. One photographer said he’s been doing the job since 2008 and has four children. He pleaded for a permit alternative, arguing it’s his only income. (Harian Metro)
Reactions, Pushback, and Aftermath
Not all greeted the crackdown with applause. Some photographers returned hours after the raid, claiming they simply “disappeared” when they saw police only to return later. (Harian Metro)
Critics argue that enforcement alone offers a short-term fix. Without a regulated system to issue licences for casual photographers, or designated zones for informal vendors, the problem may return. Some even question whether the bylaws fit well for photographers (rather than food or drink hawkers).
Public sentiment also split. Some support the ban, calling the “pixmen” a nuisance that damages KL’s image. Others feel for the photographers people scrambling for livelihood in a city where living costs are high.
Tourists seem relieved by recent clarity: fewer unsolicited offers, calmer sidewalks, space to use their own phones if they want. Yet some appear disappointed to lose an easy snapshot option they now must rely on themselves or official photographers.
Urban Order, Informal Economy, and Identity
The crackdown at KLCC reflects a broader urban challenge in developing cities. Rapid tourism growth fuels informal economies. Street vendors, unlicensed services, unofficial guides they arise to meet demand. Cities across Southeast Asia struggle with balancing control and livelihood.
KL’s action raises a question: can authorities turn temporary jobs into regulated small businesses? Could there be licensing for “tourist photographers”, with guidelines, training, and fair fees? That might protect both public order and livelihoods.
Culturally, the issue touches on how Malaysians view public space, tourism, commerce. Should every service in a public area require license? Or can we accept informal offerings under certain rules?
For international travellers, clarity matters. Being hit with surprise fees hurts trust. For locals, chaotic sidewalks and aggressive touting erodes sense of public safety and pride in city.
What Could Work
One way forward is regulation with empathy. Authorities might create a permit system for street photographers who meet basic standards: respect for public order, clear fee structure, compliance with civil decorum. Provide training, maybe community-based oversight. That gives deserving individuals a chance to earn legally.
Another is public education. Tourists and locals alike should know their rights: in public spaces, they don’t need to pay for a photo. Authorities can amplify messaging via signage, social media, visitor centers.
Also, designate specific zones if informal services are allowed less crowded, easier to monitor. This preserves open spaces around landmarks like KLCC.
Finally, periodic enforcement paired with clear, transparent regulation can reduce abuses and restore trust.
Standing in front of the towering lights of KLCC, camera in hand, one might imagine a perfect postcard bright towers, smiling faces, night sky. For some, that moment brings joy. For others, it meant pressure, confusion, even regret.
The “ulat gambar” phenomenon captured a fault line: between desire for convenience and the right to free use of public space. Between informal survival and urban order. Between tourist memory and a city’s dignity.
The recent crackdowns by KL Strike Force and DBKL show that Kuala Lumpur won’t tolerate unchecked informal profiteering near its icons. It draws a line.
Yet the surge in unauthorised photographers also stems from economic realities, from people trying to make ends meet. Ignoring that hurts human lives.
A better way exists. One that respects order but does not kill hope. Licensing. Regulation. Human dignity.
If Kuala Lumpur can find balance, maybe KLCC can shine again not just in pictures sold by unknown photographers, but in memories truly captured by willing hearts.
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