Politics
DBKL Council Approves RM320 Million Works Programme for Local Jobs and Road Upgrades
The July 7 vote allocates funds for road repairs, transit station upgrades and skills training expected to affect daily travel and employment options for residents in Sentul, Wangsa Maju and Cheras.
How we reported this
Kuala Lumpur City Hall councillors voted on July 7 to approve a RM320 million public works programme covering road resurfacing, drainage improvements and station access upgrades along existing MRT and LRT lines. The measure directs spending across three zones and includes a requirement that contractors hire at least 40 percent of their workforce from local training centres registered with the Human Resources Development Corporation.
Why the vote took place now
Maintenance backlogs on federal and state roads inside the city boundary have grown since the last major allocation in 2023, according to the 2026 DBKL annual report tabled in May. Rising repair costs and the need to coordinate works with ongoing transit operator schedules prompted the council to bring forward the package before the next financial year begins in January 2027.
The programme sets aside RM85 million specifically for pavement rehabilitation on routes used by more than 120,000 vehicles daily, including Jalan Ipoh and Jalan Cheras. Another RM45 million is earmarked for platform and lift upgrades at six stations where passenger numbers exceeded 2019 levels by 18 percent in the first quarter of 2026.
Effects on residents and local services
Residents in Sentul and Wangsa Maju will see drainage works begin in the third quarter of this year, with the council stating that the projects are projected to reduce flooding incidents at 14 known hotspots during the northeast monsoon. Construction crews are required to use night shifts on major arterials to limit daytime lane closures, a condition written into the tender documents.
The employment component requires participating contractors to submit monthly hiring reports to DBKL’s economic development unit. The council estimates the package will support 1,850 positions lasting between six and 18 months, with priority given to applicants who complete the city’s free construction and maintenance short courses offered at the Sentul and Cheras community colleges.
Next steps include publication of tender documents by 31 July and award of the first contracts by the end of September. DBKL’s engineering department will publish quarterly progress updates on its public portal, listing completed road segments and station works as they are verified by independent inspectors.