KUALA LUMPUR (March 9) – A feasibility study on potential amendments to the Federal Capital Act 1960, which would pave the way for local government elections (LGOs) in the capital—including the direct election of the Mayor of Kuala Lumpur—is expected to be finalised by the end of March.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), Hannah Yeoh, confirmed that the study is being carried out by the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and that an interim report has already been submitted to the government.
“After March, the study will be ready for further review. IIUM has conducted preliminary interviews and presented an interim report, but stakeholder consultations are still underway. The full findings will be considered before any submission to Cabinet,” she stated during a press conference focused on fire safety in high-density strata buildings across Kuala Lumpur.
The study, which began last December following a Private Member’s Bill tabled in the Dewan Rakyat, aims to assess the practicality of holding elections for local authorities, including the appointment process of Kuala Lumpur’s Mayor. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil previously underscored the competence of public universities such as IIUM to conduct rigorous studies on local governance reforms.
Should the proposed amendments proceed, the changes could have long-term implications for Kuala Lumpur’s urban governance, including the planning and management of industrial land in Selangor, office space in Bukit Jalil, factories in Puchong, and commercial property in KL, which are critical hubs in the city’s economic and property landscape.
This study forms part of broader efforts to enhance local administration and ensure that urban development—including the management of key industrial and commercial zones in the Greater KL region—aligns with the needs of both residents and businesses.
Singapore