Kuala lumpur: The 'Bangun KL: Ke Arah Kuala Lumpur Yang Lebih Sejahtera' initiative has been launched with the goal of encouraging residents to enter the capital earlier to alleviate peak-hour congestion, according to Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories), Hannah Yeoh.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the initiative is focused on instigating behavioral change through incentives and cross-sector collaboration to address traffic challenges in a more comprehensive manner. Hannah Yeoh emphasized that a well-functioning city goes beyond aesthetics, stating, "A good city is not just about how it looks, but how it functions in people's daily lives. That is why we introduced Bangun KL. This is not merely a slogan, but an effort to change how the city moves every morning."

The initiative aims to redistribute morning traffic by encouraging earlier commutes, thus making the morning rush more balanced. This was highlighted during the program's launch, which saw the presence of Federal Territories Sports Council chairman Datuk Stuart Ramalingam and Zus Coffee Group chief operating officer Venon Tian.

In a collaboration with Zus Coffee, 250 outlets across Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya are offering discounted drinks to customers who make purchases between 7 am and 8 am via the company's mobile application. Hannah Yeoh noted that with approximately 1.2 million vehicles entering Kuala Lumpur each morning, redistributing even 10 per cent of that traffic to earlier hours could significantly improve the overall traffic flow.

Bangun KL is part of a long-term strategy aimed at enhancing urban living by promoting a better balance between working hours, health, and social well-being. In terms of broader ministry direction, the first 100 days will focus on strengthening governance, improving community access, enhancing Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) applications, expanding green spaces, and fostering collaboration with agencies such as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Malaysian Competition Commission (MyCC).

Hannah Yeoh also mentioned that the government is considering expanding the incentive-based approach to other sectors, including exploring time-based pricing models to promote more flexible commuting patterns. The initiative is expected to pave the way for a broader shift in urban management, driven by stronger collaboration between the government, private sector, and the community to create a more efficient and prosperous Kuala Lumpur.