KUALA LUMPUR: A member of parliament has raised concerns over the gazettement of new planning regulations for the city, claiming it was done without public consultation and gave excessive power to the mayor.
Teresa Kok (PH-Seputeh) said the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Planning Rules 2025 were gazetted on June 13 and came into force three days later.
She said it took almost one and a half months for civil society to realise the change had come into effect.
“I would like to ask the government why this new procedure was gazetted without any consultation with the public or relevant stakeholders, especially in terms of public participation?
“According to the 2025 planning procedures, the mayor may consult relevant parties only if he or she deem it necessary, meaning there is no guarantee that the public will be given the opportunity to voice their views or objections before any development is approved.”
Kok raised the issue during the debate on the 13th Malaysia Plan in the Dewan Rakyat.
She said the rules, which replace the decades-old planning framework, should reflect how society has become more aware and engaged.
She said this move has sparked public concern as it reduces transparency in decision-making and limits opportunities for communities to scrutinise or oppose development plans.
“It also grants excessive authority to the mayor, allowing them to approve developments regardless of public sentiment.
“I urge the government to review this new planning procedure and provide an explanation to the public on how this policy was formulated and approved,” she said.
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