PUTRAJAYA, MALAYSIA February 3, 2026 – The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), Hannah Yeoh, today clarified that the feasibility study on the proposal to hold elections for the Datuk Bandar (Mayor) of Kuala Lumpur is being conducted by the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), and not by the DAP party as claimed by certain parties.
During a press conference after the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the Federal Territories Department and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) at Menara Seri Wilayah, Putrajaya, Hannah Yeoh stated: “Don’t be afraid, it is IIUM that is conducting the study, not DAP people.”
She explained that the study began in December 2025, when the Federal Territories portfolio was still held by the previous Minister, Dr. Zaliha Mustafa. The study is still at an early stage and aims to assess the feasibility of the proposal, which arose from a private member’s bill submitted by an MP during the previous parliamentary session.
“I have already clarified that at this stage, it is still only at the study level. Why are we doing a study? Because there was a private member’s bill submitted by an MP in the last parliamentary sitting,” she said.
Hannah Yeoh added that once the study is completed, the findings will be presented to the Cabinet for further consideration. “We will prepare a paper to inform the Cabinet whether the Federal Territories Department should amend the act or not,” she explained.
She emphasized that the study is expected to be of high quality as it is being carried out by academics from IIUM, a reputable institution, and is not an immediate implementation effort by any particular political party.
Reactions to the proposal have been mixed. DAP Secretary-General Anthony Loke supported the stance that the study should not be turned into a controversy, as it is merely a feasibility assessment, and similar practices already exist in other developed countries. He also noted that the idea of an elected Mayor had previously been raised by figures such as Khairy Jamaluddin.
However, opposition has come from several quarters, including the PAS Federal Territories Youth Wing, which urged the withdrawal of the proposal on the grounds that it could undermine Malay sovereignty and constitutional balance. UMNO has also reportedly voiced objections to the proposal.
The proposal for an elected Mayor of Kuala Lumpur is seen as an effort to enhance accountability and democratic representation for the capital’s residents, who are currently represented by only 11 Members of Parliament for a population of 1.98 million. DAP Youth has endorsed the study as an appropriate step to address the democratic deficit in the administration of the capital city.
The study is expected to provide valuable input to the Government before any final decision is made regarding amendments to laws related to the administration of the Federal Territories.
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