The government has directed the Federal Territories Department (JWP) to prioritise administrative reforms within Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) before considering any amendments to the Federal Capital Act 1960 (Act 190), following the completion of a governance review by the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM).
The four-month feasibility study, commissioned by JWP, concluded that improvements to DBKL’s governance, accountability and checks-and-balances should first be implemented through internal administrative measures, including enhanced guidelines, operating procedures, governance frameworks and institutional coordination mechanisms, rather than immediate legislative changes.
The study found that any amendment to Act 190 would be highly sensitive, given its implications for Kuala Lumpur’s governance structure involving the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the Sultan of Selangor and the federal government.
It also noted that the city’s current governance model evolved from an elected local government system into a centrally administered capital.
Among its key recommendations, IIUM advised against introducing a councillor system within DBKL at this stage, warning that an additional decision-making layer could create overlapping responsibilities and weaken accountability.
Instead, it proposed strengthening the existing governance framework, including formalising the role of DBKL’s Advisory Board through clearer membership criteria, governance procedures and reporting mechanisms.
The study also recommended enhancing the role of Kuala Lumpur MPs as democratic oversight and consultative representatives through regular consultation meetings, budget reviews, monitoring committees and structured channels for raising constituency issues, without granting them direct executive or administrative powers.
Following the findings, the Cabinet also instructed JWP to focus on progressively strengthening DBKL’s governance, accountability and institutional oversight before revisiting any proposal to amend Act 190.
JWP and DBKL are now jointly developing a transformation plan aimed at ensuring the city administration remains effective, accountable and fit for future challenges.
