KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA February 3, 2026 – Raja Ahmad Iskandar Fareez, National Deputy Chief of DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY), asserted today that the people of Kuala Lumpur should be the primary determinants of the capital’s future, not outsiders such as a former Malacca State Executive Councillor.
In a media statement released this morning, he expressed full support for the initiative by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), Hannah Yeoh, who is currently studying the feasibility of implementing local authority elections (PBT) in Kuala Lumpur, including the direct election of the Mayor (Datuk Bandar).
“Kuala Lumpur voters deserve the opportunity to determine their own governance and the direction of the capital city. This is the core spirit behind the proposal to strengthen local democracy,” said Raja Ahmad Iskandar Fareez.
He stressed that the fate and future of Kuala Lumpur should be decided by residents who live, work, and build their lives in the city, not by people from outside. Local issues in areas such as Kerinchi, Kampung Bharu, Kampung Datuk Keramat, Setapak, and Bandar Seri Permaisuri are better understood and addressed by representatives chosen from among the city’s own residents.
“Empowering local democracy also encourages community participation, especially among young people, as the main drivers in building solutions and shaping the future of their own neighbourhoods,” he added.
Raja Ahmad Iskandar Fareez highlighted the unique administrative structure of Kuala Lumpur compared to other states. Unlike states that have State Legislative Assemblies (DUN) and elected councillors, Kuala Lumpur is governed by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), whose members are appointed rather than elected by the people.
He pointed out the heavy burden on Kuala Lumpur’s 11 Members of Parliament, who must serve 1.98 million residents, in contrast to states such as Perlis (285,000 people), Melaka (998,000), Negeri Sembilan (1.199 million), and Terengganu (1.149 million), which have far smaller populations but benefit from more elected state representatives and councillors.
“Therefore, Hannah Yeoh’s move to study this proposal is the right step to evaluate its advantages and disadvantages. Discussions on new policies must be grounded in facts and comprehensive assessment, not racial sentiments,” he said.
He further emphasised that voters should not be sidelined in the governance of Kuala Lumpur. “If voters in Merlimau (a mulim in Malacca) have the opportunity to elect a representative who is then appointed to their state administration, then the residents of the capital also deserve the same opportunity to choose representatives for the city’s administration.”
Hannah Yeoh’s directed feasibility study has sparked various reactions, including objections from groups such as UMNO Youth, who have questioned the necessity and implications of the proposal. However, Hannah Yeoh has defended the study as a data- and fact-based approach to ensure a more solid decision.
DAPSY’s statement is seen as strong support from the DAP youth wing for reforming local governance in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, in line with the spirit of empowering democracy and greater public participation.
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