Federal Territories Minister Hannah Yeoh said the governance reforms were intended to spread decision-making authority and strengthen internal checks and balances.
PETALING JAYA: Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is moving away from one-person control over key decisions, with the mayor no longer chairing the committee responsible for auditing its expenditure.
Federal Territories Minister Hannah Yeoh said the governance reforms were intended to spread decision-making authority and strengthen internal checks and balances.
“Previously, the audit committee was chaired by the mayor himself. He was auditing his own expenditure.
“Now, the audit committee is no longer chaired by the mayor,” she told the Dewan Rakyat today.
The matter was raised by Tan Kok Wai (PH-Cheras), who sought clarification from the government on DBKL reforms arising from a feasibility study on the Federal Capital Act 1960.
Tan further pressed the matter in a supplementary question, asking how the reforms would make DBKL’s decision-making processes more transparent, collective and accountable, particularly in administrative approvals, procurement and development matters.
Yeoh responded that DBKL had established separate committees overseeing contributions, audits, governance and integrity to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure authority was not concentrated in a single office.
She added that job rotation was also being carried out for field officers and those in sensitive positions to reduce integrity risks caused by excessive familiarity with parties they regularly dealt with.
“The implementation of job rotation is currently taking place at DBKL for field officers and those holding sensitive positions.
“The use of body cameras is also being operationalised and is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026. It will be implemented in phases,” she said.
Yeoh said digitalisation would further reduce direct dealings with officers and reliance on intermediaries.
DBKL had placed 170 application services online as of this month and was targeting 180 end-to-end digital services by the end of the year.
“By 2030, all applications will be carried out online to ensure DBKL’s service delivery is more transparent, faster and more accurate,” she said.
She said DBKL was also streamlining applications and renewals for business and premises licences, particularly through the e-Lesen online platform.
“With the e-Lesen system, we no longer need to depend on runners, and we have also integrated e-Lesen with SPJ (Sistem Penguatkuasaan Jabatan).
“Another reform was implemented from July 1 this year, with the licence validity period extended to three years to make it easier for licence holders to deal with DBKL.”
Yeoh said the reforms formed part of wider efforts to make DBKL a leading local authority in the country.
