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THE unexpected termination of Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif’s tenure as Mayor of Kuala Lumpur has reignited debate over the city’s governance structure and spurred renewed calls for reform at Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).
Setiawangsa Member of Parliament Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad expressed surprise over the premature end to Maimunah’s term, which was originally due to run until August 2026.
“The tenures of Mayors should not be prematurely terminated without good reason. The Federal Government must clarify why disrupting Kuala Lumpur’s governance like this was necessary,” he stated.
Nik Nazmi pointed out that Kuala Lumpur residents currently lack a direct say in the city’s administration, with all authority vested in a Mayor appointed by the Federal Government, typically from the civil service.
He recalled the bipartisan recommendation from the Public Accounts Committee in August 2025, which called for the appointment of DBKL council members in a manner similar to local governments in other states, and for the revival of local council elections in the capital.
“I still feel, as I did then, that this will be the best way forward to ensure accountability and improve performance in the governance of our capital city, which has reached developed status,” he said.
He also rejected claims that local elections could stoke racial tensions, calling such fears "fear-mongering".
“In fact, many don’t realise that the largest ethnic group in Kuala Lumpur are Bumiputeras, making up almost half the city’s population. There is really no good excuse to delay this any longer,” he added.
Nik Nazmi further emphasised that Pakatan Harapan’s 2022 General Election manifesto had called for greater democratic participation at the local government level in Kuala Lumpur, underlining the need for political reform in the city.
Meanwhile, Maimunah, who marked the end of her 500-day term with a poignant farewell at DBKL, reflected on her achievements in transforming the capital's planning processes and financial management.
“Today is my last day as Mayor of Kuala Lumpur. I am grateful to have left a solid foundation for the future of the city we all love,” she said during her final press conference at Menara DBKL.
Among her key accomplishments, Maimunah highlighted the introduction of greater transparency in urban planning, with 176,000 land lots now publicly accessible, detailing zoning, plot ratios, and density.
"This builds confidence for developers and investors wishing to operate in Kuala Lumpur," she noted, adding that the move had helped mitigate investment risks and ensured more sustainable development.
She also celebrated DBKL’s financial turnaround, with operational surpluses recorded for the first time in over a decade following reforms in procurement and budgeting.
“In 2022, we faced a deficit of RM283 million and RM75.3 million in 2023. But in 2024, we achieved a surplus of RM27.6 million. This is not a small achievement but proof of the reforms we implemented,” she said.
On sustainability, Maimunah pointed to several green initiatives, including the Kuala Lumpur Zero Waste 2040 plan and the use of artificial intelligence for river monitoring and traffic management.
Maimunah will begin a new role as Senior Real Estate Advisor at Petronas on 17 November. "Although I am moving to Petronas, a part of my heart remains with Kuala Lumpur. This is not just a city we build, it is a city we must love," she said. - November 14, 2025