PUTRAJAYA (Feb 3): Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has been directed to urgently strengthen its standard operating procedures (SOPs), particularly in areas where ambiguity could lead to abuse or corruption, according to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh.
She said a recent review conducted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) identified several weaknesses across DBKL’s SOP framework, especially in processes involving business licence approvals and enforcement actions. These gaps, she noted, must be addressed swiftly to ensure greater transparency and accountability.
“Unclear procedures or grey areas often create opportunities for misconduct,” Yeoh said during a press conference following the signing of a cooperation note between the Federal Territories Department and the MACC on Tuesday. “When constructive recommendations are made to close these gaps, we will move quickly to implement them.”
Her comments followed media reports highlighting what were described as outdated management and monitoring practices in several DBKL contracts, including the issuance and oversight of business licences.
Among the concerns raised were the absence of dedicated monitoring committees for high-value and long-term contracts awarded to private companies, as well as allegations involving the appointment of a major firm to oversee DBKL business licence monitoring.
Yeoh stressed that the improvements must be rolled out without delay so that the public has a clear understanding of licensing procedures and enforcement outcomes.
“All processes must be clearly defined, documented, and publicly understood, leaving no room for multiple interpretations,” she said, adding that revised SOPs would be made accessible to the public.
She also reminded business owners and members of the public to refrain from engaging in corrupt practices, emphasising that accountability must be shared.
“You cannot criticise enforcement officers while at the same time offering inducements. That behaviour must stop,” she said.
Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Fadlun Mak Ujud, who was present at the event, said DBKL is also working on more detailed SOPs related to licence termination and revocation, including procedures governing seasonal business activities such as Ramadan bazaars.
He explained that in the past, the lack of clear SOPs meant licence cancellations could not be decided at an individual level and had to go through committee deliberations.
“For the 2026 Ramadan Bazaar, we now have established SOPs and will form a committee before operations begin,” he said. “The committee will meet every two days, or more frequently if necessary, to address violations, closures, fines, and enforcement actions.”
The move to tighten DBKL’s SOPs is expected to have broader implications for businesses operating in commercial property in KL, including owners and tenants of office space in Bukit Jalil, retail operators in city centres, and developers managing mixed-use projects. Clearer and more transparent licensing processes are also seen as critical for long-term investor confidence, particularly for companies involved in industrial land in Selangor, factory developments in Puchong, and industrial property in the Subang area, where regulatory clarity plays a key role in project planning and compliance.
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