KUALA LUMPUR, February 12, 2026 — The Department of Federal Territories (Jabatan Wilayah Persekutuan, JWP) has released a media statement providing the latest status on the ongoing study of the Federal Capital Act 1960 (Act 190), conducted by researchers from the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM).
The research team from IIUM was appointed by the JWP on 1 December 2025. The terms of reference for the study include policy analysis, legislative history, related legislation, and comparative studies of foreign laws to identify and assess the feasibility of amendments to the Federal Capital Act 1960 (Act 190).
To date, IIUM has submitted:
– The complete Inception/Preliminary Report on 16 December 2025, which was presented to the JWP on 12 January 2026.
– The complete Interim Report on 27 January 2026, presented to the JWP on 28 January 2026.
According to the statement, IIUM is required to prepare four (4) reports between December 2025 and March 2026:
1. Inception/Preliminary Report (completed);
2. Interim Report (completed);
3. Draft Final Report; and
4. Final Report.
IIUM is currently in the process of preparing the Draft Final Report for presentation to the JWP.
The study follows recent proposals for governance reforms in Kuala Lumpur, including discussions on local authority elections such as the potential election of the Mayor of Kuala Lumpur (Datuk Bandar), which would require amendments to Act 190 if implemented. Earlier suggestions emerged from a Private Members’ Bill introduced by several Federal Territories MPs in November 2025.
The Federal Capital Act 1960 serves as the primary legislation governing the administration of Kuala Lumpur as the federal capital, including the appointment of the Mayor by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong — a structure distinct from local authorities in Peninsular Malaysia, which operate under the Local Government Act 1976 (Act 171).
The JWP expects the study to provide valuable input for any future decisions on legislative amendments aimed at enhancing governance in the national capital. The final findings are anticipated to be completed by March 2026.
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