KUALA LUMPUR: The Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will intensify its efforts to combat issues caused by illegal vendors in the capital, including those involving foreign nationals and unauthorised structures.
This issue is among the aspects of sustainability, cleanliness, and other problems that DBKL will focus on this year, as discussed during the Kuala Lumpur City Hall Advisory Board meeting yesterday.
DBKL Advisory Board member Andre Lai Chen Heng said that many complaints had been received from the public regarding current issues around the city, but the actions taken so far had been unsatisfactory.
He said, as a result, Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Maimunah Mohd Shariff wants and encourages each member of the board to participate in any enforcement operations carried out by DBKL.
"Additionally, the Mayor is committed to ensuring that every suggestion from the board members is heard and translated into action by the entire workforce.
"(During the recent meeting), we decided to improve services to the public, including upgrading the standard operating procedures (SOPs) so that DBKL becomes more responsive to complaints from residents.
"Previously, we had a public complaint system like AduKL, but when complaints were made, the work (maintenance and enforcement) was not carried out," he said.
The first Kuala Lumpur City Hall Advisory Board meeting of the year took place at the DBKL Enforcement Tower here yesterday.
Lai said the Mayor wants previous enforcement actions to be intensified to address issues involving foreign nationals, unauthorised structures, and illegal vendors.
In addition to functioning as advisors, he said, Advisory Board members are also given the mandate to lead certain committees, including being involved in enforcement activities.
"This means we are involved in enforcement activities, such as demolishing illegal structures and confiscating unlicensed stalls, as was carried out at Petaling Street recently. I personally went on the ground to inspect.
"Some parties may not like it because it seems like we are monitoring their actions, but this is a good step," he said.
Meanwhile, he said the DBKL Advisory Board members have the mandate and are committed to fulfilling the responsibilities entrusted to them.
"This is to ensure that we can provide accurate advice that will be accepted by the Mayor, and everything will be translated into action," he said.
Lai, who is also the PKR Wangsa Maju branch chief, added that several other matters were discussed, including steps to reduce the issue of unlicensed street vendors and stalls without permits, as well as plans to upgrade tourist areas in the city.
"We have already launched several programmes and operations, including eliminating illegal stalls, beautifying streets in tourist hotspots, painting and decorating walls, and much more.
"We are also undertaking many infrastructure and slope upgrading activities. This will provide a positive impression for the delegations that will be visiting soon," he said.