Politics
DBKL Invests RM2.5 Billion to Upgrade Kuala Lumpur Roads and LRT Network
The programme directs funds toward construction contracts and maintenance crews that will employ residents in neighbourhoods including Cheras and Setapak while extending LRT coverage.
How we reported this
Kuala Lumpur City Hall approved the Metropolitan Infrastructure Renewal Programme on 7 July 2026, committing RM2.5 billion over three years to road resurfacing, drainage works and two LRT line extensions. The measure applies to contracts awarded by Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur and targets employment for local tradespeople and service operators.
The announcement follows the release of the 2026 DBKL operating budget, which identified ageing infrastructure in the Klang Valley as a constraint on daily movement and job access. City officials noted that existing contracts expire in December 2026, creating the immediate need for a replacement pipeline.
Effects on employment and daily services
Under the programme, 4,200 construction positions and 1,800 maintenance roles will be advertised through local employment offices beginning in August. Residents in Cheras can apply for roles on the new Sungai Besi extension, while Setapak households stand to gain from scheduled drainage upgrades along Jalan Genting Klang. Commuters using the Kelana Jaya line will see an additional 3.2 kilometres of track completed by late 2028, according to the project timeline released by DBKL.
The legislation states that at least 60 percent of contract value must go to firms registered with the Kuala Lumpur Contractors Association. This requirement channels payments toward wage packets for electricians, welders and equipment operators who live inside the city limits rather than outside subcontractors.
Budget papers show RM480 million earmarked for vocational training at four community colleges in the federal territory. The allocation covers certification courses in traffic management and utility installation, with 2,500 places reserved for applicants who hold Kuala Lumpur identity cards.
Procurement notices will be published on the DBKL portal from 15 July onward, with the first packages scheduled for tender award by October 2026. City engineers will conduct site inspections in Bukit Bintang and Wangsa Maju during the same month to finalise work schedules.