KL Aims To Lead ASEAN Cities In Solid Waste Management - Mayor

KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 (Bernama) -- Kuala Lumpur aims to lead efforts among ASEAN capital cities in tackling solid waste management, with a strong focus on practical actions rather than mere declarations, said Mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif.

As Malaysia chairs ASEAN this year, she noted that Kuala Lumpur is hosting key urban discussions, including the Meeting of Governors and Mayors of ASEAN Capitals (MGMAC 2025), where waste management is expected to be a top agenda item.

“Sometimes we have so many declarations, but we want to declare our action. We want to do solid waste (management), we also want to do mitigation, and we want to do maybe public spaces and nature-based solutions,” she said during an interview on Bernama TV’s ASEAN Dari Kuala Lumpur Ke Dunia programme tonight.

Maimunah said Kuala Lumpur is pushing for a “Kuala Lumpur Joint Leaders’ Statement” among the mayors of ASEAN capital cities, with the goal of establishing an agreed action plan with timelines and commitments, which can be followed up at the next regional meeting in Manila, the Philippines.

MGMAC 2025, to be held in the Malaysian capital, is expected to gather up to 8,000 participants and will run alongside two other urban-focused events -- the ASEAN Mayors and Governors Capital Meeting and the ASEAN Sustainable Urbanisation Forum.

Maimunah, who will chair the meeting, said it is not just a platform to showcase achievements, but also to share the challenges faced by Kuala Lumpur and other cities.

“This is the moment for us to take the opportunity, not only the Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL), but I think the whole of Malaysia and all stakeholders in Kuala Lumpur to take the opportunity to showcase all the struggles, all the achievements and the growth that we have, and also to share our challenges,” she said.

On Kuala Lumpur’s position in the region, Maimunah said the city is comparatively ahead in terms of development planning and infrastructure.

“We have our plan, we have our good infrastructure, and then at the same time, we have the arts and culture, and Kuala Lumpur is also the hub of talent and investment,” she said.

She also highlighted Kuala Lumpur’s ongoing efforts to preserve its historical heritage under the Warisan Kuala Lumpur plan, backed by RM700 million in funding from Khazanah Nasional.

On addressing climate change, Maimunah said Kuala Lumpur already has a climate change policy and action plan in place, with a target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

She said that the city is developing a digital twin model to support data-driven urban management and currently operates the Kuala Lumpur Command and Control Centre (KLCCC), which is equipped with 5,000 CCTV units supported by artificial intelligence.

Maimunah also emphasised the importance of public participation in city planning and budgeting, noting that DBKL has conducted over 70 engagement sessions for its Local Plan 2040 and is implementing gender-responsive participatory budgeting.

“I'm trying very much to have public engagement, not only to participate, but a two-way engagement in whatever we do,” she also said.

Asked about her message to the people of Kuala Lumpur during Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship, she added that she hopes to make the city a livable and lovable place to stay and a city for all.

-- BERNAMA